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Saks Incorporated Announces Opening of Saks Fifth Avenue in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:01am EST

Jeddah is Second Licensed Saks Fifth Avenue Store in Saudi Arabia and Fifth in
Middle East
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Retailer Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) (the "Company") announced the opening of
its second licensed store in Saudi Arabia, further expanding its international
presence. The three-level, 44,900 square foot store is located in the Sari City
Centre (Star Avenue), an upscale development in Jeddah. 

Jeddah, located on the coast of the Red Sea, is the major urban center of
western Saudi Arabia and is home to over 3.4 million people. The Jeddah store
will be operated by Fashion Village Trading Company, which also operates the
Saks Fifth Avenue store in Riyadh that opened in 2001. Fashion Village Trading
Company is chaired by Talal I. ALMaiman, the Executive Director for Development
and Domestic Investments at Kingdom Holding Company, which is owned largely by
HRH Prince ALWaleed Bin Talal. 

The Jeddah Saks Fifth Avenue store is congruent with the Saks Fifth Avenue
stores in the United States in both product and service, while catering to local
tastes and preferences. The store includes distinctive offerings from
established and emerging American and international designers and presents a
sought-after collection of fine designer apparel for Men, Women, and Children,
as well as jewelry, shoes, accessories, handbags, fragrances, cosmetics, bridal,
and intimate apparel. Saks Fifth Avenue is known for its extraordinary
personalized customer service, and the Jeddah location includes numerous
in-store amenities such as skin care treatment rooms, luxury fitting rooms, and
the Fifth Avenue Club, its complimentary personal shopping service. The store
will also offer a continuous schedule of special events such as fashion shows
and personal appearances by designers. 

Stephen I. Sadove, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Incorporated,
noted, "We are very pleased to bring Saks Fifth Avenue to Jeddah, which is an
extraordinary tourist and shopping destination. We have worked closely with
Fashion Village Trading Company to bring an exceptional array of luxury brands
and experiences to both the residents of and visitors to Jeddah." 

Sadove concluded, "While our principal focus remains on improving the operations
of our domestic stores, the opening of choice international licensed locations
can expand the reach of our brand and generate a supplemental income stream for
the Company." 

About Saks

Saks Incorporated currently operates Saks Fifth Avenue, which consists of 53
Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 51 Saks Off 5TH stores, and saks.com. 

Founded in 1924 with the opening of its Fifth Avenue, New York flagship store -
which continues today to be the Company`s landmark store - Saks Fifth Avenue has
grown to 53 stores throughout the United States, complemented by successful
licensed stores in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Dubai, U.A.E. (two locations); Manama,
Bahrain; and Mexico City, Mexico. Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the most
recognized luxury retail brands in the world and has key relationships with the
leading fashion houses including Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dolce
and Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Donna Karan, John Varvatos, Calvin
Klein, Ralph Lauren, Judith Leiber, Prada, Escada, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la
Renta, St. John, Yves St. Laurent, TOD`S, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Max Mara. 

Forward-looking Information

The information contained in this press release that addresses future results or
expectations is considered "forward-looking" information within the definition
of the Federal securities laws.Forward-looking information in this document can
be identified through the use of words such as "may," "will," "intend," "plan,"
"project," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "would," "believe," "estimate,"
"contemplate," "possible," and "point." The forward-looking information is
premised on many factors, some of which are outlined below.Actual consolidated
results might differ materially from projected forward-looking information if
there are any material changes in management`s assumptions.

The forward-looking information and statements are or may be based on a series
of projections and estimates and involve risks and uncertainties.These risks and
uncertainties include such factors as: the level of consumer spending for
apparel and other merchandise carried by the Company and its ability to respond
quickly to consumer trends; adequate and stable sources of merchandise; the
competitive pricing environment within the retail sector; the effectiveness of
planned advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns; favorable customer
response to relationship marketing efforts of proprietary credit card loyalty
programs; appropriate inventory management; effective expense control;
successful operation of the Company`s proprietary credit card strategic alliance
with HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.; geo-political risks; changes in interest rates; and
fluctuations in foreign currency and exchange rates.For additional information
regarding these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company`s filings
with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 2, 2008, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on
Form 8-K, which may be accessed via EDGAR through the Internet at www.sec.gov.

Management undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.Persons are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures
management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the SEC and in
its press releases.





Saks Incorporated
Julia Bentley, 865-981-6243
or
David Pilnick, 212-940-5080
www.saksincorporated.com




Copyright Business Wire 2009

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