Hudson's Bay Company · Toronto, ON Canada

Here's a company that's traveled a fur piece from its 17th-century roots. Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) is Canada's largest department store chain. Founded in 1670 as a fur trading enterprise, HBC is also Canada's oldest corporation. Its Zellers chain is the country's #2 discount department store (behind Wal-Mart Canada), with some 290 stores. HBC also runs about 100 the Bay department stores, some 120 Fields general merchandise and apparel stores in Western Canada, more than 60 Home Outfitters superstores, and Hbc.com. The company also has its own credit card and financial services companies. HBC is owned by NRDC Equity Partners, which is looking to take the company public in 2011. To read the full description, subscribe now.