2016 INDUCTEE

Over the course of his 48 year retail career, Bob has helped shape, innovate and grow two of Canada’s leading retail organizations – Hudson’s Bay Company and the LCBO.

Bob began his retail career in 1968 at the Hudson’s Bay as a management trainee in Winnipeg.  He became a key player in the Hudson’s Bay Company holding several high level positions – Vice-President of the Bay Stores, President of Simpsons, President of the Bay and Executive Vice-President of the Hudson’s Bay Company and Chairman of the Bay’s Specialty Stores.

For nearly a decade, he was the face of the Bay in their marketing programs on television and in print.

He oversaw one of the largest expansions and upgrades of the Bay store network, growing it from 67 stores in 1988 to 101 stores in 1998. 

In 2001, Bob joined the LCBO as President.  Under Bob’s leadership, the LCBO consistently increased its operational and financial performance, undertook an unprecedented expansion of its network and product assortment, improved customer service, modernized its logistics facilities and supply chain, positioned itself as a leader in philanthropic endeavours and environmental sustainability, strengthened its record in responsible retailing and effective support for Ontario beverage alcohol suppliers to grow their business. 

He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba.

In 1996, he received the La Fondation de la Mode de Montreal award for his support of the Canadian fashion industry.

In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Retail Council of Canada.

He has served as a cabinet member of the United Way of Greater Toronto and as a director of Fred Atkins Co., New York, Retail Council of Canada, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Junior Achievement, the Toronto Zoo and the Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdiction.