Saks to focus on shopping experience in ’05

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/23/2005 11:45:00 AM

NEW YORK — Saks Incorporated is focused on improving the shopping experience in 2005 at its Saks Fifth Avenue stores and Saks Department Store Group, company executives said during a presentation at the Merrill Lynch Retailing Leaders conference.

While 35 percent of the products sold in SDSG stores are differentiated at present, the company’s goal is to trade up products with a more modern contemporary styling. The process, however, is to take place gradually so customers don’t feel alienated.

To further growth, the company will add stores in markets where populations are growing, such as Des Moines , Iowa ; Birmingham , Ala. ; and Jackson , Fla.