What: HBC follows the steps of Macy’s and Kith and is the first retailer in Canada to back an inclusivity-oriented non-profit organisation

Why it is important:  Declarations are not enough anymore for retailers and brands to display their beliefs and values. Nowadays, commitments are needed to appeal to their communities of shoppers and this goes through adhering to locally relevant organisations. It might differ from a country to another, given local social and cultural context, however this is clearly becoming a norm.

The Canadian department store chain Hudson’s Bay announced it has joined the non profit organisation The 15 Percent Pledge. By doing so, the company (which operates 88 locations in North America) commits into displaying a minimum of 15% of black or indigenous people-owned brands in its assortment.

The 15 Percent Pledge, based on the fact that Black people represent 15% of the total US population, was launched in 2020 during civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Runt the Runway, Sephora, Vogue, Macy’s or Kith are among the 22 companies backing this non-profit organisation.

Hudson’s Bay has become the first Canadian department store