Joint venture to elevate luxury retail positioning through shared operations and expanded digital reach
In a significant realignment within the luxury retail landscape, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman are entering a joint venture under the newly formed Saks Global. The move combines the strengths of two of America’s most storied department store brands with the intention of creating a unified strategy across merchandising, operations, and digital platforms.
The venture will operate independently from Saks.com and is backed by a majority investment from Rhône Capital. While Bergdorf Goodman will maintain its brand identity and Manhattan flagship presence, the initiative seeks to extend its influence into e-commerce and further global markets. The digital operations of both Bergdorf Goodman and the Saks Fifth Avenue brick-and-mortar business will now be consolidated under Saks Global, which will focus on streamlining backend operations and leveraging shared vendor relationships.
Marc Metrick, formerly CEO of Saks.com, will lead Saks Global as its Chief Executive Officer. His mandate will be to scale digital capabilities, build on the distinctive brand equity of Bergdorf Goodman, and explore new international growth opportunities.
This restructuring comes at a time when heritage retailers are looking for agile, digitally native models to navigate changing luxury consumer habits. By merging back-end infrastructure while preserving distinct brand voices, Saks and Bergdorf are signaling a move toward modern luxury retail—one that is less about volume and more about vision.
