Saks Fifth Avenue to Close Store in San Francisco’s Union Square

The luxury retailer will become the latest big-name company to close its doors in the once-thriving downtown shopping district.

Pedestrians pass the Saks Fifth Avenue store in San Francisco on July 29, 2013. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Luxury department chain Saks Fifth Avenue confirmed April 25 that it will close its Union Square location in San Francisco next month, making it the latest to leave the historic shopping district.

The outlet will lock the doors at the corner of Post and Powell streets for a final time on May 10 after nearly 30 years. It switched to appointment-only shopping in August 2024.

“While we saw meaningful engagement and success through the appointment-only format, we have made this decision as part of our integration process as we focus on long-term growth,” a Saks Global spokesperson told The Epoch Times on Friday in an email.

In December 2024, Hudson’s Bay Company, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, announced it had acquired Neiman Marcus Group, the parent company of luxury retailers Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

The company looks forward to serving the Bay Area community at Neiman Marcus San Francisco, Neiman Marcus Palo Alto, The Fifth Avenue Club Palo Alto, Saks.com, and NeimanMarcus.com, according to the spokesperson.

The company said its vision includes preserving what is exceptional about the Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus brands.

“There is not a broader plan to consolidate in markets where both Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus operate,” the spokesperson added.

Saks employees will be able to transfer to Neiman Marcus San Francisco where possible and others will be offered separation packages, the spokesperson said.

The Union Square Alliance, an organization dedicated to enhancing the shopping district, said the closure was expected and is part of the downtown’s transformation.

“While the closing of Saks marks the end of an era, this was not an unforeseen development considering their recent changes to an appointment-only model, and Neiman Marcus acquisition,” alliance spokesman Will Reisman told The Epoch Times in an email Friday. “We expect the path to downtown revitalization to have its twists and turns—still we are extremely optimistic about the future of Union Square.”

A security guard watches the entrance to a Louis Vuitton store near Union Square in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2021. The store boarded up its windows as a security measure amid a spike in thefts. Ethan Swope/Getty Images

According to the alliance, retail momentum continues downtown with clothing and beauty products retailer Zara’s launch of a flagship store on Post Street, menswear store John Varvatos’s relocation to the district, and Shoe Palace thriving on Powell Street.

Nintendo is also scheduled to open a much-awaited second U.S. store in May, the alliance reported.

“With a vibrant summer of events and our In Bloom programming ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a standout year for the heart of San Francisco,” Reisman added.

Union Square In Bloom is a yearly promotion highlighting floral displays in the shopping district.