Saks Fifth Avenue—colloquially known as Saks—is a storied American luxury department store chain, recognized globally for its upscale merchandise, innovative retail strategies, and enduring influence on the fashion industry[1][2]. Today, Saks operates both its flagship luxury stores and the off-price Saks Off 5th chain, catering to a broad range of customers seeking designer apparel, accessories, beauty products, and home goods[1][2]. The brand is now part of Saks Global, a newly formed entity that also includes sister brands Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, reflecting its continued evolution in the competitive luxury retail landscape[1]. ## History Saks traces its origins to 1867, when Andrew Saks opened the first store in Washington, D.C.[1][2]. The business expanded to New York City’s Herald Square in 1902, and in 1924, the iconic flagship store debuted on Fifth Avenue—a landmark that would become synonymous with luxury shopping[1][3]. The brand’s growth accelerated after merging with Gimbels, a major department store group, allowing Saks to expand nationally and establish itself as a destination for the affluent[1][3]. Over the decades, Saks pioneered concepts such as in-store boutiques, custom tailoring, and resort stores, and was an early adopter of direct mail sales with its Folio catalog in 1970[3][4]. ## Key Achievements Saks has been a trailblazer in luxury retail, introducing the first resort store in Palm Beach, Florida, and expanding into major markets like Chicago, Miami Beach, and Beverly Hills by the late 1930s[3][4]. The creation of Saks Off 5th in 1990 marked a strategic move into the off-price segment, broadening the brand’s reach[1][4]. Saks was also an early entrant into e-commerce, launching Saks.com to complement