Burgess to Lead Hudson’s Bay Digital Division

Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) has launched a new digital division, to be led by Saks Direct president Michael Burgess.

As president of HBC Digital, Burgess will be responsible for digital commerce and marketing for all the company’s businesses, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and HBC Outlets.

Burgess joined Saks Inc. in mid-2012 as the head of Saks Direct, the luxury retailer’s online division. Before that he held executive positions at FTD and Teleflora.

“HBC Digital will leverage our scale and will help unlock a great deal of opportunity across all of our businesses.” said HBC CEO Richard Baker in a statement. “As our customers’ expectations continue to evolve and the lines between digital marketing and commerce continue to blur, we feel this group not only creates near-term benefits, but also will enable HBC to become more nimble in the digital marketplace.”

HBC operates Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue, which it acquired last year.