Amazon threatens ‘drastic action' after Saks bankruptcy, says $475M stake is now worthless

Core Viewpoint - Amazon is opposing Saks Global's bankruptcy financing plan, citing significant financial mismanagement and a breach of their agreement following Saks' acquisition of Neiman Marcus [1][2]. Financial Performance - Saks has reportedly "burned through hundreds of millions of dollars in less than a year" and has accumulated "hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid invoices" to retail partners [2]. - The acquisition of Neiman Marcus for $2.7 billion in December 2024 included Amazon's investment of $475 million, which is now considered "presumptively worthless" due to Saks' financial failures [2]. Bankruptcy Proceedings - Amazon argues that Saks' bankruptcy financing plan is detrimental as it adds new debt to parts of the Saks corporation and diminishes Amazon's position in the repayment hierarchy [3]. - A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has allowed Saks to access $1.75 billion in new bankruptcy financing, which Saks claims is necessary to avoid immediate liquidation [4]. Strategic Implications - The deal with Saks was intended to enhance Amazon's luxury product offerings through a "Saks at Amazon" storefront, which guaranteed at least $900 million in payments to Amazon over eight years [2]. - Amazon's involvement in Saks raised the potential for deeper investment in the department store chain, aligning with its strategy to expand its physical retail presence [6]. Other Stakeholders - Salesforce also became a minority shareholder in Saks during the Neiman Marcus acquisition, although its response to the bankruptcy plan remains unclear [8].