Saks Off 5th, the off-price retailer within Saks Global, will close nine of its 79 locations beginning in January, WWD has learned.
The decision to close stores follows an extensive analysis of the fleet, including market dynamics, lease expirations, customer behavior and long-term business potential, to focus more on high-performing and high-potential locations.
“We have identified opportunities to optimize our Saks Off 5th store presence, through both initiatives to drive performance and elevate the customer experience, enabling us to place greater attention to our high-performing and high-potential store locations, and refinements across our store footprint,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “As part of our ongoing and comprehensive strategy, we have taken a critical eye to our store footprint and will be closing select store locations in early 2026. We are confident this will better position the Saks Off 5th business for long-term success and look forward to continuing to deliver for our customers.”
Saks Off 5th is also vacating its 57th Street location in Manhattan, located in an office tower at 125 East 57th Street near Lexington Avenue, as previously reported. The property was sold to a new owner, who plans to create residences on the site, meaning there will be construction disrupting business at the store. One source said that due to the impending construction, which is seen occurring over at least two years, Saks Off 5th decided to vacate the space. It’s not clear whether other factors were involved in the decision. However, the store will continue to be open for business through the holiday season.
Asked if there will be more Saks Off 5th closings beyond the 10, the company indicated in a statement, “Through the regular course of business, we continually evaluate store performance and, from time to time, may determine it necessary to reformat or close a store.”
However, while closing certain Off 5th stores, Saks Global said that it is making some investments in better-performing Off 5th stores. “We have been piloting new initiatives, including initiating capital enhancements in certain stores, elevating our selling model and enhancing our in-store assortment. We look forward to extending our learnings across our top locations,” the company indicated in its statement.
The nine Saks Off 5th closing next year are on State Street in Chicago, and in Austin; East Hanover, N.J.; Philadelphia Mills, Pa.; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Pittsburgh North, Pa.; Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; Washington, DC, and West Hartford, Conn.
Saks Off 5th is providing for those impacted by the closings with transfer opportunities to nearby Saks Off 5th locations where possible, and eligible full-time colleagues will be offered separation packages consistent with the company’s severance plan.
As part of a management shakeup at Saks Global disclosed last month, Kim Miller, who was president of Saks Off 5th, shifted to chief customer officer, a new corporate position. Genny Siller, who was vice president of merchandise planning at Saks Off 5th, became senior vice president and general manager of Saks Off 5th, reporting to Marc Metrick, chief executive officer of Saks Global. These and other management changes at Saks Global were triggered by the departure of Emily Essner, who was president and chief commercial officer.
