Saks Global Taps Neiman Marcus Veteran Cheryl Han for New Dual Role Amid Restructuring

This analysis is based on reporting originally published by Retail Dive. For continuous coverage of the retail sector, subscribe to the free Retail Dive newsletter.

In a strategic move signaling a renewed focus on digital integration and brand cohesion, Saks Global has appointed former Neiman Marcus executive Cheryl Han to the newly created role of Chief Marketing and Digital Officer, the company confirmed Thursday. Han, who briefly served on the leadership team last year, will now oversee all marketing strategy and e-commerce operations for the embattled luxury retailer.

A company spokesperson stated that the dual-role appointment "reflects the critical, interconnected role that marketing and digital play in driving sales and customer engagement across all channels" and is part of broader efforts to position Saks Global for "sustainable, profitable growth."

Han's return marks a significant homecoming for a seasoned luxury retail veteran. Her departure in August 2024 came just months after she joined the leadership team following the completion of Saks' $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group. Her deep roots with Neiman Marcus—where she previously served as Chief Digital Officer and oversaw strategy for Bergdorf Goodman—align with the background of Saks Global's relatively new CEO, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, also a Neiman Marcus alum. This hiring suggests a consolidation of leadership around executives familiar with the acquired company's core operations.

The appointment comes during a period of profound turbulence for Saks Global. The merger has been fraught with challenges, leading to a wave of executive departures and role shifts throughout 2025, culminating in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on January 14. Han's mandate will be complex, requiring her to navigate the separate legal and operational tracks of Saks' digital and physical assets. Notably, the e-commerce businesses, which were spun off from brick-and-mortar operations in 2021, are included in the bankruptcy process but report to their own Chief Restructuring Officer.

Further complicating the landscape, Saks Global recently announced the liquidation of its off-price e-commerce arm and the closure of nearly 60 Saks Off 5th stores, retrenching to a strategy focused on selling excess full-price inventory through a handful of remaining outlets. Han's expertise in omnichannel customer strategy will be tested as she works to define a coherent brand and sales path forward amidst this significant restructuring.

Industry Voices

Eleanor Vance, Retail Analyst at Brandsworth Consultancy: "This is a logical, if belated, move. Unifying marketing and digital under one leader is essential for modern luxury retail. Han's deep experience with the Neiman Marcus brand could be the key to finally realizing the synergies promised by the merger, but only if she's given the authority to cut through the operational silos created by the bankruptcy structure."

Marcus Thorne, Former Department Store Executive: "Bringing back an executive who left so recently raises questions about the initial integration plan. It feels reactive. Her challenge is Herculean: boosting customer engagement and sales while the company is in liquidation mode for a major segment of its business. The brand's prestige is on the line."

Chloe Rodriguez, Host of 'The Retail Pulse' Podcast: "This is a desperate shuffle of deck chairs on the Titanic. Appointing a 'Chief of Everything' during bankruptcy is a PR Band-Aid. The fundamental problem is a disastrous merger that loaded the company with debt just as luxury demand softened. No single executive, however talented, can market their way out of that."

David Chen, Professor of Retail Management, Kingsley University: "The creation of this role acknowledges that digital is not just a sales channel but the core of customer relationship management. Han's specific task will be to architect a seamless experience that connects the brand's narrative across physical stores, its full-price e-commerce site, and its streamlined off-price footprint—a daunting task under financial constraints."