Early Life
Brian Hill was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His early life was influenced by his family's involvement in the retail industry. His father, Jim Hill, founded the Canadian luxury retailer, Hills of Kerrisdale. Throughout his adolescence, Brian worked in his father's retail store, learning the intricacies of the business under the mentorship of his father and his uncle, Forbes Hill. This early exposure laid the foundation for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.
Rise to Success
In 1984, at the age of 23, Brian Hill and his brother Ross opened the first Aritzia boutique in Oakridge Centre, a shopping mall in Vancouver. The company's vision was to offer stylish luxury clothing. Hill saw a gap in the market for high-quality apparel at accessible price points and catered to young Canadian women. Under Hill's leadership, Aritzia expanded across Canada and into the United States, establishing a strong presence with over 130 boutiques. Aritzia's success is attributed to its unique in-house brands and focus on creating an exceptional customer experience, including the use of social media and expanding into major markets like New York and Chicago. Hill stepped down as CEO in 2022 and now serves as Executive Chairman.
Key Business Strategies
Aritzia's success has been shaped by several key strategies. The company focused on designing and producing its in-house brands which accounted for a significant portion of sales. Aritzia expanded its stores across North America. Moreover, the company strategically opened flagship stores in high-profile locations and leveraged social media to attract younger shoppers. The company's e-commerce platform, has also been a key driver of growth. Hill's focus on providing a unique customer experience with free coffee and designated sitting areas has been another distinctive approach.
Philanthropy
Aritzia is proud to be recognized as a woman-led company with 85% of its employee base and 73% of its senior leadership team identifying as women. As part of its Aritzia Community™ initiatives, Aritzia has contributed more than $50 million in product donations, financial support and volunteer hours to non-profits and community partners.