Saks Global has announced that it will maintain operations at the Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store through the 2025 holiday season, while working with the City of Dallas on a new vision for the location.

Initially, Saks Global had planned to close the flagship store on Monday after more than a century in downtown Dallas, following a notice from its landlord terminating the lease. However, an effort by city officials and business leaders led to the City of Dallas acquiring the property, preserving the site’s legacy and opening the door for a potential revitalization.

City officials recently convened with Saks Global leadership to discuss a range of potential concepts for the reimagined store. These proposals include a luxury retail experience, a curated art exhibition, a multi-purpose fashion and event center, and an incubator for fashion design and manufacturing. 

“We deeply admire the city’s passion and unwavering dedication to Neiman Marcus’ storied legacy in Dallas. The potential reimagination of this iconic shopping destination reinforces Saks Global’s commitment to redefining the luxury shopping experience,” said Marc Metrick, chief executive officer of Saks Global. 

“As we explore opportunities for the Downtown store, along with the planned renovation at the NorthPark store, we will evaluate the opportunity to utilize both locations to serve different customer needs in the Dallas market.”

Since its establishment in 1907, Neiman Marcus has been a cornerstone of Dallas, shaping its fashion scene and contributing to the city’s cultural and civic landscape. Saks Global acquired Neiman Marcus Group for a total enterprise value of $2.7 billion, last year. 

“We are excited that Saks Global has decided to keep Neiman Marcus open downtown, as we explore the opportunity to unlock the potential to transform downtown into an international beacon and economic engine for fashion – just as the Neiman Marcus founders intended when they opened the store more than 100 years ago,” added Dallas city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. 

“We look forward to exploring what‘s on the horizon and are committed to continuing our conversations with the Saks Global team.”

Australia’s Akubra on March 28 opened its first-ever brand store in the city of Brisbane, as the Western-style hatmaker looks to expand its direct-to-consumer footprint across the country.

Located at 162 Edward Street, the new Akubra Brisbane store ​combines the Kempsey-based fim’s heritage craftsmanship with a contemporary twist, with custom pieces handmade by Akubra’s craftspeople including hand-stitched counters and industrial shelving.

The space also features a tone-on-tone colour palette and sleek industrial fixtures, all the while staying true to the brand’s craftsmanship.

Inside, shoppers will find Akubra’s full collection and hat accessories range, along with personalised services such as hat steaming and shaping by master hatters. The store also hosts the exclusive re-launch of the “Outback Club” hat, in collaboration with country music star, Lee Kernaghan, the brand’s ambassador.

The opening comes two years after Akubra was acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private investment group Tattarang in November 2023.

“We are incredibly proud to open this new store in Queensland, preserving and building upon the legacy of Akubra,” said Andrew Forrest. 

“Akubra has been ingrained in the fabric of Australian families for generations, and I’m proud that more people will have the opportunity to experience this great Australian-made product. What better way to celebrate the outback in Brisbane than with a reunion of the legendary Lee Kernaghan and one of Australia’s most iconic brands, Akubra.

The Brisbane location serves as the next step in a bigger strategy for the brand, with additional stores planned for this year.

“This marks our first-ever branded store experience, and choosing Queensland for our debut was a natural decision—it’s where our community is strongest,” said Akubra CEO, Natalie Culina.

“We’re deeply attuned to our customers, and following the incredible success of the reopening of our Kempsey flagship store, we saw an opportunity to expand our retail presence in a way that brings the true essence of Akubra to life. This isn’t just a store—it’s an immersive celebration of Australian heritage, craftsmanship, and the iconic handcrafted hats that have become woven into our national identity,” she said.