After more than 20 years, Saks Fifth Avenue is cancelling the renowned holiday light show at its Fifth Avenue flagship store.
The light show has become something of a cultural fixture in Manhattan during the holiday season, serving as the perfect complement to Saks’ famed holiday window displays as well as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Last year’s show, sponsored by Christian Dior, was the retailer’s most dynamic yet. It featured a countdown clock and sound system that would time beloved holiday carols in tandem with the lights, which spanned the entire city block between 49th and 50th street.
But Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick told CNBC on Nov. 12 that the company made the decision following “softer sales” in 2024. “We have to be very prudent and careful in where we’re investing, but more important, we always knew we were going to want to take a step back and assess,” Metrick said. Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent company, HBC, announced its plans to acquire competing luxury department store Neiman Marcus in July 2024 for $2.65 billion.
Saks Continues Other Holiday Traditions on Fifth Ave.
Although the luxury department store is cutting back on the light show, it will continue its holiday windows tradition and add the usual seasonal design touches indoors.
“We’re still lighting the store. We’re going to have music. It’s going to be festive and holiday-focused, and of course, we’re going to have our fantastic and beautiful Saks holiday windows, which is truly what we’re known for,” Metrick added.
In 2021 and 2022, Saks Fifth Avenue was a winner of Retail TouchPoints’ sister publication Design:Retail’s Winning Windows Awards. Connor Matz, Director of Visual – Windows and Interiors for Saks Fifth Avenue, said the collaborative and ambitious team always aims to push limits, which unlocks “unbridled creativity and excellence.”
“Nothing will ever beat the feeling of seeing crowds on the sidewalk, captivated in awe as they see the windows unveiled for the first time,” Matz said in an interview with Retail TouchPoints. “That’s when we know we’ve done our part. Having the opportunity to lead and deliver these windows truly is a gift, and I could not be more proud and thankful to have and work with the team that we have here at Saks.”
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