Holt Renfrew
Holt, Renfrew & Co., Limited is a Canadian chain of luxury department stores. They have headquarters in Brampton, Ontario. They have 6 store locations in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.[1]
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Formerly |
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|---|---|
| Private | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1837 (Quebec City, Lower Canada) |
| Founders | William S. Henderson |
| Headquarters | 60 Bloor Street West, |
Number of locations | 6 |
Areas served | Canada |
Key people | Sebastian Picardo (CEO) |
| Products | Clothing, accessories |
| Owner | Weston family (1986–present) |
| Parent | Wittington Investments (1986–present) |
| Website | holtrenfrew.com |
In 1837, William S. Henderson created what became Holt Renfrew after buying his partner's fur store. He then began to grow the store and called it William Ashton & Co., later renaming it to William S. Henderson & Co. in 1847. William's brother John later became owner of the store and it went through many names including John Henderson & Co., Henderson, Renfrew & Co., Renfrew & Marcou, and G.R. Renfrew & Co.[2] The business became popular and they supplied fur to John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. They later became the "Furriers in Ordinary" for Her Majesty Queen Victoria and many other members of the British royal family.[3]
After World War II, Holt Renfrew grew to become the top furrier in Canada and kept a close relationship with the British royal family by providing the official wedding gift for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1947.[4] They also started relationships with different fashion brands like the House of Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent.[5][6]
In April 1986, Wittington Investments Limited bought Holt Renfrew from its former Los Angeles-based owner Broadway-Hale. They then made Michael Brickell the company president, Galen Weston as chairman and his wife Hilary M. Weston as the vice-chairman. The board changed many time afterwards.[7]
Holt Renfrew Media
Cover for a Holt Renfrew catalogue in 1890, advertising that the company is the "furriers to the Queen"
Holt Renfrew's Canadian fur display at the Franco-British Exhibition in 1908
The company's Art Deco-styled flagship store in Montreal in 1937.
Holt Renfew's store in Montreal in 2007. The company did restoration work to the building during the 1980s.
Interior of the Holt Renfrew at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga
Interior of the Holt Renfrew at Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver in 2018
An hr2 at Vaughan Mills. The chain was a new initiative from the company.
References
- ↑ "Stores". Holt Renfrew. Retrieved March 9, 2025.[dead link]
- ↑ "Holt Renfrew Timeline: Through the Years". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Holt Renfrew big part of Quebec City history". Global News. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Canada To-Day i S O". British Newspaper Archive. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ↑ Palmer, Alexandra (2001). Couture & commerce : the transatlantic fashion trade in the 1950s. Vancouver, BC: UBC Press. ISBN 9780774808262. OCLC 47074293.
- ↑ "Meet Miss Renfrew (advertisement)". Toronto Daily Star. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Weston To Buy Holt Renfrew". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
