The Saks Fifth Avenue Friends & Family sale started online today and will officially begin in stores on Thursday. Despite the attractive 25% off discount on clothing, shoes and accessories, customers are irritated by the changes to the standard promotion.
Instead of listing out hundreds of designer exclusions, Saks threw out the designer list and discount code. Instead the store has designated an opt-in selection of friends and family items. Some designs don’t even have their entire collections participating. It’s really an item-by-item situation.
Far gone are the days of a friendly Prada discount but there are still some designer-y items from which to choose. Among the handbags, shoppers can apply the discount to Edie Parker, Les Petits Joueurs, Nancy Gonzalez, some Anya Hindmarch and a few items from Tod’s.
Anya’s Space Invasion tote is $1837 from $2450, a laser-cut leather satchel is $1818 from $2425 and an Edie Parker ‘Gangster’ clutch is $1121 from $1495.
The shoe selection is pretty bleak if you’re looking for premium designer discounts. Your best options are some Charlotte Olympia shoes, including these rock embellished Dollys that are $957 from $1595. There are about two, yes, two styles of Lanvin styles, including these tall leather boots that are $778 from $1945. Then there is an assortment of Alica & Olivia shoes, Chiara Ferragni and See by Chloe. Remember, only certain items are qualified.
The clothing selection includes all the usual contemporary designer suspects but, interestingly enough, there are also lots of designer items included in the promotion. Upon further investigation, however, it seems as if the participating items are from last year. Take this Ann Demeulemeester“>Ann Demeulemeester sweater, it’s $448 from $1120. That’s more like 60% off. This Givenchy cap jacket is $1260 from $3150 and a Roland Mouret dress is $988 from $2470.
We aren’t too surprised by this sly Saks friends & family sale but think it would be more fitting to change the name to the Saks Trick or Treat sale. For what it’s worth, the promotion runs through Sunday online and in stores but we wouldn’t be surprised if there was an extension. Tick or treat…