Nordstrom alum Paige Thomas named president of Saks Off Fifth

By

Robin Driver

Published
Feb 11, 2020

Hudson’s Bay Company announced on Monday that it has appointed Nordstrom and Kohl’s vet Paige Thomas as the new president of its Saks Off 5th business.

 
In her new role, Paige will be expected to use her extensive experience in department store retail, and particularly in the off-price segment, to oversee operations at the off-price Saks brand. She will report to HBC CEO Helena Foulkes.
 
Thomas most recently served as EVP and general merchandise manager for full-price men’s and kids at Nordstrom, Inc., having previously held the role of EVP and general merchandise manager of the company’s off-price banner, Nordstrom Rack, for around five years.

During her time in this position, she oversaw the openings of more than 100 Nordstrom Rack stores, as well as the launch of the retailer’s e-commerce site and its subsequent integration with HauteLook via a dual platform with shared inventory.
 
Before joining Nordstrom, Thomas spent over eight years at Kohl’s Department Stores, serving in a range of merchandising leadership positions. Prior to this, the University of Washington graduate was Group VP and general merchandising manager for apparel, accessories and cosmetics at Fred Meyer from 1998 to 2003.
 
“Paige has a proven track record of achieving aggressive growth within off-price retail through superior cross-channel customer experiences,” said Foulkes in a release. “With her deep merchandising background and instinct to quickly capitalize on digital opportunities, I believe Paige is the right leader to further evolve Saks Off 5th and unleash its potential as a true off-price retailer.”
 
Foulkes also highlighted recent strategic shifts that have been undertaken at Saks Off 5th, and which have provided “positive results,” leading to three consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales. Initiatives have made significant changes to the banner’s buying, marketing and service strategies, while store closures have helped streamline its retail footprint.
 
Thomas’ appointment will also allow Marc Metrick, who has led Saks Off 5th since January 2018, to focus on his role as president of Saks Fifth Avenue, a transition that has been planned for some time.
 
“I am confident in the opportunity for Saks Off 5th and believe now is the optimal time to bring in a dedicated leader,” Foulkes added. “With strong presidents at the helm of HBC’s three distinct retail businesses, each is empowered to execute on their strategies and deliver unique experiences for their customers.”
 
Thomas’ appointment is effective immediately.