Michael,
While I know that you are a huge HBC supporter, let's be honest, they have done a horrible job over the last few years.
They had a golden opportunity to capitalize on the departure of Eaton's from the market.
They have done a lousy job at marketing their Zellers brand compared to Wal Mart.
Home Outfitters was a nice concept, however, it gave customers one less reason to shop at the Bay.
The Designer Depot never really took off compared to Winners.
The vital Youth market was virtually ignored. When was the last the Bay had a marketing campaign targeted towards youth people? I don't believe it has ever been cool to shop at the Bay as a young person, as a matter of fact, I can't think of any of my friends who shops there.
While it was a major coup for HBC to steal away the Olympic contract away from Roots, I believe they once again failed. They had an opportunity to create a "buzz" around the Olympic line, however, the word on the street is that nobody wants to wear clothing they can buy at Zellers. It simply isn't cool. They have cheapen the Olympic clothing line.
HBC has also done it's part to move many of it's operations an employees out to the "suburbs" . They moved several departments out of downtown Toronto - "Simpsons Tower" out to Mississauga at the 401 and Tomken Road.
I expect there will be some job cuts and closing of stores with this new owners. My prediction is that they will leave the Queen Street alone, and I have a personal feeling that Yonge and Bloor is gone.
Louroz