Enhances User Experience Authority at SaksOff5th.com
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its digital capabilities and enhancing the customer experience, Saks Off 5th has appointed retail industry veteran Julie Mares as the Senior Vice President of E-commerce.
Mares brings more than two decades of retail experience to her new role, having held various leadership positions at notable companies such as Walmart, Simon Property Group, Gucci, Century 21, and Macy's. Most recently, she led e-commerce and omnichannel for men's shirt company Untuckit.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for Saks Off 5th, as the company is investing in key growth initiatives and innovation to reinforce its multi-brand luxury retail leadership. This investment is a response to the evolving retail landscape, with Saks Off 5th, as part of Saks Global, expanding the use of technology platforms like the NuORDER by Lightspeed assortment planning system across its brands.
The focus on digital transformation is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving full-price sales and margins. In early 2025, the company's gross margin rose to 44%. However, industry experts suggest that Saks Global needs to allocate costs towards innovation and develop a clearer brand story to strengthen its positioning. They also recommend focusing on local relevancy and experiential retail to improve customer engagement.
SaksOff5th.com operates as a sibling e-retailer to Saks.com and The Bay, and the e-retailer separated its online and brick-and-mortar operations in 2021. The splits occurred at the height of the pandemic as e-commerce surged, potentially introducing operational challenges.
Mares will report to SaksOff5th.com CEO Paige Thomas and will oversee SaksOff5th.com's user experience and user interface design, site merchandising, quality assurance, digital content strategy, and the customer experience roadmap. Her role will be instrumental in leading a data-driven e-commerce strategy for SaksOff5th.com.
The interview with SaksOff5th.com CEO Paige Thomas, discussing the company's focus on customer-facing initiatives, was first published by Women's Wear Daily. While specific details about Saks Off 5th’s direct digital customer experience initiatives after recent layoffs are limited, the broader company strategy emphasizes improving digital assortment planning and enhancing luxury brand experiences post-merger to recover profitability and improve customer loyalty. This likely includes bolstering online presence and personalized marketing strategies consistent with wider retail trends noted for 2025, such as engaging customers via social media and personalized offers.
- Amidst the evolving retail landscape influenced by the pandemic, SaksOff5th.com has invested in technology platforms like NuORDER by Lightspeed assortment planning system, reflecting a broader strategy to leverage technology in its business.
- With increasing focus on digital transformation, SaksOff5th.com's new Senior Vice President of E-commerce, Julie Mares, will lead a data-driven e-commerce strategy, focusing on user experience, digital content, and customer engagement.
- As part of Saks Global, Saks Off 5th has allocated costs towards innovation, aiming to develop a clearer brand story and improve its positioning in the retail industry.
- In the finance sector, Saks Off 5th's gross margin rose to 44% in early 2025, but industry experts suggest that the company needs to further address costs and improve customer engagement through local relevancy and experiential retail.
