Saks Global is Alienating Thousands of Vendors.

Saks Global, the newly formed parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman is playing with financial fire.

The Acquisition:

Saks Global is the new title of the luxury retail and real estate company formed through Hudson's Bay Company's acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, for a total enterprise value of $2.7 billion.
This acquisition unites several prominent luxury retailers under one umbrella:

• Neiman Marcus

• Bergdorf Goodman

• Saks Fifth Avenue

• Saks OFF 5TH

The Financial Changes:

Saks Global has announced a shift from a 60-day to a 90-day payment schedule for vendors, effective March 1, 2025. This is a significant change from the previous 30-day terms used by Neiman Marcus Group prior to the merger. This decision is just a part of broader restructuring efforts. Starting in July 2025, the company plans to address past-due vendor payments in 12 monthly installments.

The Vendor Reaction:

The move has sparked a significant backlash from vendors, with many brands expressing frustration over payments being delayed another 30 days and the new installment plan for recouping past-due payments. Some vendors accuse Saks Global of financial mismanagement and disregarding their need to pay bills and fund their brand’s growth with money the retailer owes them.
While net-90 payment terms are common in the retail industry, the delayed repayment of Saks Global’s overdue balances, broken down into installments, has heightened vendor tensions significantly. Some have even terminated their partnerships with Saks Global, citing high risks to their brand’s sustainability and growth due to the new terms favoring Sak’s financial interests.

The Defense:

Saks CEO Marc Metrick defended the changes as necessary for long-term growth and industry refinement. Still, he acknowledged the need to calm vendor anxiety and address tense relationships the new payment structure has created. The company has also hinted at reducing its brand portfolio by 25%, focusing on fewer, stronger vendor partnerships to lower its overhead.
Most critics remain skeptical about Metrick’s ability to fulfill these commitments, given Saks’ history of late payments and financial instability.

Do you think this is a good move for Saks?