SFA SEES MEN'S AS OPPORTUNITY IN `DNA CHANGE'.

Daily News Record, March, 2005

Byline: Jean E. Palmieri, Contributions by Jessica Pallay

NEW YORK -- Saks Fifth Avenue is in the midst of a dramatic transformation and men's wear is viewed as a key component in realizing the store's new vision.

"We see men's as a very significant opportunity," Ronald Frasch, vice-chairman and chief merchandising officer of the upscale retailer, a unit of Saks Incorporated, told DNR after a walk-through of the flagship last week. In fact, the store's executives believe the men's business has the potential to be double the size it is today.

"We see sportswear, furnishings and the shoe component as having the most significant volume growth," Frasch said, with clothing having "less upside than the other product categories because it's a...