Hudson’s Bay has announced that Wayne Drummond will be retiring from Hudson’s Bay and Sophia Hwang-Judiesch has been appointed president, Hudson’s Bay, effective September 19, 2022. A highly-effective retail leader, Ms. Hwang-Judiesch has a strong track record of driving growth, market share acquisition, and enhancing the omni-channel customer journey. Working closely with The Bay on the overall omni customer, brand, and platform strategy, she will bring to life the Hudson’s Bay stores component of the strategy, including the execution of the company’s in-store digital selling transformation, customer experience and store optimization. Ms. Hwang-Judiesch will report to Richard Baker, governor and executive chairman, HBC and join The Bay’s Executive Committee led by Iain Nairn, president and CEO, The Bay.
In 2021, The Bay (digital) and Hudson’s Bay (stores) announced that its store fleet and e-commerce business would operate as two separate businesses, accelerating its digital-first transformation. The two operate collaboratively to deliver a seamless customer experience, and The Bay remains responsible overall for shared functions including brand direction, marketing, buying, planning and technology for both businesses.
Most recently, Ms. Hwang-Judiesch was vice president of strategic initiatives at Ulta Beauty, where she led the build and launch of Beauty@Target, and managed 13 workstreams. Previously, Ms. Hwang-Judiesch was senior vice-president at Carter’s Oshkosh, responsible for the company’s largest multi-channel market with accountability for stores, e-commerce and wholesale. Before Carter’s Oshkosh, Ms. Hwang-Judiesch was with Esprit de Corp as China country manager – retail, wholesale & e-commerce, China Brand, overseeing the most important market for Esprit globally.
On her appointment, Ms. Hwang-Judiesch said, “I am excited to return home to Toronto, as I already hold a deep connection and affinity for Hudson’s Bay, so I am thrilled by the opportunity to lead Hudson’s Bay stores. This is an incredibly exciting time in the industry, when brick and mortar retail is redefining itself. I look forward to building on the transformation already underway at Hudson’s Bay, to elevate and shape the customer journey and drive growth across the business.”
“We are very excited to have Sophia’s broad global and category experience on our team, as we transform The Bay and Hudson’s Bay for Canadians. We are making incredible strides in technology and digital innovations, and our store organization is critical to the omni-channel experience of our customers. I am confident that Sophia will lead the team on an exciting and transformational journey that delivers impact for our customers and results for the company,” said Iain Nairn. “Wayne Drummond is retiring from Hudson’s Bay. The company is grateful for his leadership and dedication over his esteemed 34-year career with HBC.”
Source: Financial Post
Source: Business Wire
Source: Retail Insider
