Saks Global sues to block Bergdorf chief merchant’s move to Nordstrom

Core Viewpoint - Saks Global is pursuing legal action to prevent former Bergdorf Goodman chief merchant Yumi Shin from joining Nordstrom, citing contractual violations and potential harm to its business [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Action and Allegations - Saks Global has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, claiming that allowing Shin to take a position at Nordstrom would cause "immediate and irreparable harm" [2]. - The lawsuit alleges that Shin has violated her non-competition agreement and has misappropriated proprietary information, demanding the return of nearly $50,000 in payouts [4][6]. - Shin has responded by seeking to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that her agreements with Saks Global are contradictory and raise jurisdictional issues [3][4]. Group 2: Background and Context - Yumi Shin served as chief merchandising officer at Bergdorf Goodman from January 2019 until her resignation in October 2025, prior to her move to Nordstrom [2]. - Saks Global has experienced leadership changes, including the departure of Chief Retail Officer Melissa Xides from Bergdorf in late November [5]. - The legal dispute highlights the complexities surrounding non-compete agreements, which can vary significantly based on state laws and specific contractual terms [6].