Simpsons (department store)

The Robert Simpson Company Ltd.
Company typePrivate (until 1978)
Subsidiary (1978–1991)
IndustryRetail
PredecessorSimpson & Trent (1858-1870)
Founded1872 (as R. Simpson, Dry Goods)
FounderRobert Simpson
DefunctAugust 14, 1991
FateConverted to The Bay
SuccessorThe Bay
Headquarters,
Canada
Area served
Canada
ProductsClothing, footwear, bedding, furniture, jewelry, beauty products, appliances, housewares, tools, and electronics
ParentHudson's Bay Company
(1978–1991)

The Robert Simpson Company Limited, commonly known as Simpson's until 1972, then as Simpsons, and in Quebec sometimes as Simpson, was a Canadian department store chain that had its earliest roots in a store opened in 1858 by Robert Simpson.[1]

In 1952 Simpson's started a 50-50 joint venture in Canada named Simpsons-Sears Limited (later Sears Canada) with Sears, Roebuck, the American retailer. Simpsons-Sears stores remained distinct from the Simpson's stores and the parent companies' agreement included language to keep them from competing too directly with each other.

The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) purchased the Simpsons-branded stores in 1978, but they were later converted to The Bay stores by the early 1990s. As part of the 1978 agreement, U.S.-based Sears acquired full ownership of Simpsons-Sears Limited.