The iconic, six-story, 6,100-square-metre store will be closed by February next year, in response to the difficulties brick-and-mortar stores are facing during these times. A spokesperson for Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) said the closure is due to a rapid change in consumer behaviour and the retail industry at large, adding that they "are committed to treating every associate with respect and fairness through this process." The retail industry has evolved over the years and for a lot of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses like Hudson's Bay, failure to establish an online presence would mean extinction. In the first few quarters of 2020, about 52% of consumers are now choosing to shop online and lockdown measures have left traditional retailers struggling to stay afloat. A lawsuit was recently filed against HBC in Quebec Superior Court over failure to pay up more than $3.5 million in rent and other fees at five of its Quebec store locations.