The reshuffling continues at the entity to be known as Saks Global.
Following the exit of its chief merchant, off-price retailer Saks Off 5th’s merchandising will be led by two of its executives, Allison Ross and Melissa Garrick, a Saks Off 5th spokesperson said by email Monday. Both have had merchandising roles there for several years, according to their LinkedIn pages.
They replace Mara Sirhal, who recently left to lead merchandising at home shopping retailer QVC U.S. “With that, we have reevaluated our go-forward structure for the Saks OFF 5TH merchandising team,” the spokesperson said.
Ross, who is general merchandise manager of apparel, and Garrick, who is general merchandise manager of center core and footwear, will report to Saks Off 5th President Kim Miller, per the announcement.
“Allison and Melissa share an innate understanding of the Saks OFF 5TH customer and brand, and we are confident that they will continue to make strides in solidifying Saks OFF 5TH’s position as a go-to destination for luxury at a value,” the spokesperson said.
The move is part of a broader shakeup in the run-up to Saks owner HBC’s planned purchase of Neiman Marcus Group for $2.65 billion. HBC, long rumored to be interested in taking over Saks’ rival, earlier this month announced it had inked an agreement. Once the deal closes, an entity dubbed Saks Global will encompass the luxury department stores and the Saks-affiliated off-price retailer. Also under Saks Global’s purview will be U.S. real estate assets valued at some $7 billion.
In addition to Sirhal’s departure, Saks Fifth Avenue Chief Operating Officer RJ Cilley has left, and Saks Global has confirmed companywide layoffs. Last week, a Saks Global spokesperson said the company is “bringing together operational functions from across the businesses under one strong leadership team, so that each individual business can better focus on the execution of their respective customer-facing strategies.”
