The iconic Hudson’s Bay brand is moving outside Canada for the first time ever.

The country’s oldest retailer will open 20 Bay and Saks Off Fifth stores in the Netherlands over the next two years.

The announcement comes after the chain’s purchase last year of Germany’s Galeria Kaufhof, giving HBC a foothold in Europe and springboard to further expansion.

HBC chair Richard Baker says ”expansion into the Netherlands is a natural extension of our existing presence in Belgium as well as our planned entry into Luxembourg and will complete our presence in all of the Benelux countries.”

Hudson’s Bay says the move should create 2,500 jobs in construction and an equal number in the stores.