Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Have Agreed to a Blockbuster Merger.

On the July 8th episode of The Bill Meyer Show, business growth expert Carl Gould, founder of Seven Stage Advisors, joined the program to unpack a significant shift in the retail landscape — the merger of luxury giants Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, with minority investments from Amazon and Salesforce.

Carl emphasized this move as a smart strategic play to consolidate the luxury retail market while addressing the challenge of the “last mile” in e-commerce fulfillment. Drawing comparisons to Walmart and Target’s rise through same-day and curbside delivery, Carl explained that luxury brands need both a robust online presence and a reinvigorated, experiential brick-and-mortar model to remain competitive.

Key insights included:

• The rise of the “customized economy”: While standardized items (like socks or toothpaste) thrive online, luxury goods demand in-person consultation, service, and personalization.

• The importance of experience: Malls aren’t dying because of e-commerce—they’re dying because they’re boring. Retailers must offer an interactive and engaging experience to survive.

• Examples of innovation: Carl cited Apple Stores and Shields Sports Store (with cafes, Ferris wheels, and bowling alleys) as models of immersive, experience-driven retail success.

• Outlook for traditional retailers: Office supply chains may become kiosk-based order hubs rather than full-scale retail locations.

Finally, Carl shared that the business community overwhelmingly favors Republican economic policies due to their pro-business stance, regulatory flexibility, and lower taxes.