SAKS FIFTH AVENUE'S DISCOUNT 'OFF 5TH' TO OPEN UP TO 25 CANADIAN LOCATIONS

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Saks Fifth Avenue's discount retail concept 'Off 5th' will open up to 25 Canadian locations, according to Hudson's Bay Company CEO Richard Baker. Saks' Off 5th concept will likely follow the opening of Canadian Saks Fifth Avenue stores, which we expect to happen within the next 12-18 months. 

Existing Hudson's Bay real estate will likely be utilized for Off 5th stores, including some Home Outfitters and former Zellers real estate still held by The Hudson's Bay Company. Existing store space within Hudson's Bay stores could also be utilized for Off 5th. 

Off 5th carries both discounted merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue's full-priced stores, as well as products purchased specifically for the store. Off 5th will therefore compete with the likes of Nordstrom Rack and Holt Renfrew's recently opened hr2 concept. 

Off 5th stores are generally 20,000-35,000 square feet, with a recent focus on stores in the 25,000-28,000 square foot range, according to an article describing the chain's expansion strategy. It would be relatively easy for Hudson's Bay to open Off 5th stores within existing Hudson's Bay real estate, including possibly the sub-basement of Hudson's Bay's Downtown Vancouver store, which currently has over 43,000 square feet of space for lease. 

We'll update you when we start learning of Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue Canadian locations. 

[Off 5th website]

[Saks Fifth Avenue website]