Hudson’s Bay Co. taps Toys “R” Us exec to head up European division

Hudson’s Bay Co.’s newest executive is joining the company just in time to lead the European division’s next phase of development.



Dr. Wolfgang Link will become CEO of HBC Europe, effective May 1. He will lead the expansion and growth strategy for the department store’s European business, including Galeria Kaufhof, Galeria Inno, and the entrance of Hudson’s Bay and Saks OFF 5TH. Reporting to HBC’s CEO Jerry Storch, Dr. Link will also oversee the European management team.



Dr. Link will join HBC after a decade with Toys “R” Us, where he served as a member of the global executive board and president of Toys “R” Us Europe since 2013. In that role, he was responsible for the company’s business operations in nine countries, including Germany, France, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands, with more than 300 stores across Europe, as well as country-specific online stores.



Before joining Toys “R” Us as president, Central Europe, in 2007, Dr. Link served as managing director for the Medimax specialist stores and ElectronicPartner Group Holdings, where he was responsible for the operation of more than 200 specialty stores in Germany, Hungary and Turkey. In addition, Dr. Link served many years in a variety of leadership roles at the Metro Cash and Carry Group, in corporate headquarters in Dusseldorf and in the country business units in Austria and Spain.



“We are pleased to welcome Wolfgang to the HBC family during this new phase of development for our European business, as we prepare to launch two new banners in the region,” said Storch.



“Wolfgang is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in the retail sector in Germany and throughout Europe,” he said. “His experience in both digital and traditional channels and profound knowledge of the European market were key in selecting him for this role, and will help foster the expansion and success of HBC Europe, including our significant investment in Germany.”