In a significant move to revitalize the struggling department store sector, Saks Fifth Avenue parent company HBC announced on July 4, 2024, its intention to acquire Neiman Marcus Group for $2.65 billion. The deal comes amid a challenging period for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and the department store segment in particular.
The acquisition will result in the formation of Saks Global, which will include Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and their respective online counterparts. HBC's CEO Richard Baker expressed his excitement about the transaction and described it as a testament to both companies' commitment to building rewarding customer relationships.
Neiman Marcus Group CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck echoed this sentiment, adding that the deal is a proactive choice in an evolving retail landscape. The merger creates a new juggernaut in the luxury retail space with unprecedented access to tech expertise from Amazon and Salesforce.
The real estate subsidiary of Saks Global will manage $7 billion worth of combined assets. Saks Global plans to improve the online shopping experience through personalized services using customer data, AI, and boosting merchandise offerings. The deal comes as shoppers increasingly flock to low-price e-commerce retailers like SHEIN and Moda Operandi instead of luxury department stores.
The acquisition is a response to the challenges faced by both companies in the current retail landscape. Macy's, another major department store chain, announced in February 2024 that it would close 150 underproductive locations and focus on expanding its luxury brand offerings. The deal also comes amid a turbulent period for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and the department store segment has struggled to attract younger shoppers.
The merger of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus represents the most dramatic change to the American department store landscape since the formation of Macy's two decades ago. Whether this will be enough to solve the sector's mounting problems remains an open question.