Saks "Beefed Up" Its Service, Created a "Wear Now" Floor

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Saks just renovated its fourth floor, and has come up with an entirely new way to describe the concepts of ready-to-wear and bridge lines: Wear Now. The new floor debuts today (and with a private party, later) and WWD explains that they've dropped labels no loner relevant and added ones that are, as well as ones that have exclusives to offer. The floor will cater to the clients who want lower prices and less-dressy things, but still want that good old fashioned "service and fashion currency of a caliber typically associated with the designer floor."

Wear Now has 16 specific brand boutiques and areas that will highlight seasonal trends. It also features exclusives from La Via 18, the brand Piazzia Sempione created for Saks, and has large designated areas for Elie Tahari, Burberry Brit, Tory Burch and Red Valentino. Saks says they've also "beefed up" the service by adding 35 new sales associates, each one of them assigned to a specific shop.

Joseph Boitano, the group senior vice president and general merchandise manager of Saks Inc., says "It's a really different approach to product. The floor is spacious and open. The fitting rooms are larger. There are more clienteling options, and we really never had shops," in bridge, as WWD puts it. But the idea doesn't really sound that different, does it? It sort of sounds like a department store, within a department store, no? Either way, ideas like spacious, open, and large fitting rooms are always a good, and we've got no problem with beefy service.
· Saks Inc. Unveils Wear Now Floor [WWD, subscription req'd]