MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsMajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light Display
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
Last year, Saks Fifth Avenue partnered with Dior to create the "Dior's Carousel of Dreams at Saks" light display. The company has cancelled its annual tradition this year on what would have been the 20th anniversary of the show and will pare down its holiday decorations.
New York—Saks Fifth Avenue has cancelled its holiday lights display this year.
This year’s display would have marked the 20th anniversary of this New York City holiday tradition.
The department store’s New York flagship usually displays an LED light show across its façade from the end of November through early January, but Saks has confirmed that there will be no show in 2024.
While the news broke on social media based on employees’ accounts, a representative from Saks told the New York Post earlier this week that it has been a “challenging year for luxury, and, like others, we are carefully managing our business to ensure the company is best-positioned for the future.”
A Saks Fifth Avenue spokesperson told National Jeweler via email that “for many years, the holidays at Saks Fifth Avenue included a light show at our flagship store, and, for some time, we have contemplated changing our approach.”
Instead of the light display, “we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the façade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known for,” said the spokesperson.
“We look forward to welcoming customers to our holiday windows throughout the season and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings within the Saks Fifth Avenue New York Flagship.”
The news of the cancelation of Saks’ light display seems sudden since the company posted a press release last month detailing this year’s display as a light show illuminating the façade while festive jingles play throughout the holiday season.
It also goes on to name Mastercard as the sponsor of its holiday windows and light display for the 15th consecutive year. The New York Times report said that the cancelation of the light show is not related to the company’s relationship with Mastercard.
The lights would have accompanied Saks’ holiday windows that are still set to show fashion from the top names in luxury with colorful snowflake fragments, dichroic vinyl, and silver harlequin flooring that is echoed inside the store.
The cancellation follows Saks Fifth Avenue letting go of about 100 employees, about one percent of its workforce, and reshuffling executives in late July.
Saks has also been reported to allegedly owe hundreds of thousands of dollars to vendors, according to Glossy, with one vendor said to be owed $15,000 for product that was allegedly delivered and sold to customers.
In a statement to Forbes, Saks said, “Any delayed payments are due to navigating our business through the current challenging macroeconomic environment.”
However, Forbes highlighted that the statement does not address the condition of its business.
Less than a month before the reported layoffs this summer, the department store’s parent company HBC, had entered into an agreement to acquire Neiman Marcus, in a deal valued at $2.65 billion.
HBC came in at No. 15 on National Jeweler’s “$100 Million Supersellers” list with $524 million in watch and jewelry sales in its fiscal year which ended Jan. 31, 2024.
Related stories will be right here …
This year’s display would have marked the 20th anniversary of this New York City holiday tradition.
The department store’s New York flagship usually displays an LED light show across its façade from the end of November through early January, but Saks has confirmed that there will be no show in 2024.
While the news broke on social media based on employees’ accounts, a representative from Saks told the New York Post earlier this week that it has been a “challenging year for luxury, and, like others, we are carefully managing our business to ensure the company is best-positioned for the future.”
A Saks Fifth Avenue spokesperson told National Jeweler via email that “for many years, the holidays at Saks Fifth Avenue included a light show at our flagship store, and, for some time, we have contemplated changing our approach.”
Instead of the light display, “we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the façade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known for,” said the spokesperson.
“We look forward to welcoming customers to our holiday windows throughout the season and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings within the Saks Fifth Avenue New York Flagship.”
The news of the cancelation of Saks’ light display seems sudden since the company posted a press release last month detailing this year’s display as a light show illuminating the façade while festive jingles play throughout the holiday season.
It also goes on to name Mastercard as the sponsor of its holiday windows and light display for the 15th consecutive year. The New York Times report said that the cancelation of the light show is not related to the company’s relationship with Mastercard.
The lights would have accompanied Saks’ holiday windows that are still set to show fashion from the top names in luxury with colorful snowflake fragments, dichroic vinyl, and silver harlequin flooring that is echoed inside the store.
The cancellation follows Saks Fifth Avenue letting go of about 100 employees, about one percent of its workforce, and reshuffling executives in late July.
Saks has also been reported to allegedly owe hundreds of thousands of dollars to vendors, according to Glossy, with one vendor said to be owed $15,000 for product that was allegedly delivered and sold to customers.
In a statement to Forbes, Saks said, “Any delayed payments are due to navigating our business through the current challenging macroeconomic environment.”
However, Forbes highlighted that the statement does not address the condition of its business.
Less than a month before the reported layoffs this summer, the department store’s parent company HBC, had entered into an agreement to acquire Neiman Marcus, in a deal valued at $2.65 billion.
HBC came in at No. 15 on National Jeweler’s “$100 Million Supersellers” list with $524 million in watch and jewelry sales in its fiscal year which ended Jan. 31, 2024.
More on Majors
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
