Saks Global is launching a program elevating incentives for stylists and selling associates.

The Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Seller Success Track program starts in November and is expected to be fully rolled out to all selling associates in 2026. The program is designed to motivate associates to sell more merchandise, provide tools to improve their selling skills, identify clearer career paths for workers as they achieve certain goals, and make customers feel they’re getting better service and more personal attention. It applies to both Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus associates.

The program could help Saks Global reverse the negative sales trends its seen for several seasons, and develop a more talented workforce. The luxury retailer’s revenue for the second quarter ended Aug. 2 fell 11.1 percent to $1.6 billion from $1.8 billion a year earlier, impacted by ongoing inventory issues.

Retailers, generally, have a high rate of annual turnover among selling associates — some sources list the rate in the 20 percent range — and need to offer better pay, flexible hours and appealing career paths.

The Saks Global program focuses on two types of selling associates: stylists that wardrobe clients from head to toe, and sellers specializing in a specific merchandise area. The program is offered once an individual hits $1 million in annual sales — what the company refers to as “emerging stylists” or “emerging sellers” — and continues to grow through various levels until the selling associate reaches the “master stylist” or “master seller” levels with at least $7 million in annual sales. Officials noted that the program builds upon the Saks Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue Club for personal service, and its network of personal stylists at Neiman Marcus. The company indicated it will support sellers with coaching and skill building even if the individual is selling less than $1 million in merchandise annually, though the level of support is “enriched” when a seller hits $1 million.

Incentives under the program include new customer acquisition support, whereby Saks Global has dedicated roles that focus on identifying and connecting new high-potential customers with master stylists who work on an appointment-only basis.

Another incentive provides an assistant for an associate. The assistant would involve managing appointment calendars, contacting clients, setting follow-up reminders, pulling products and supporting social media activities.

While Saks’ Fifth Avenue Club for personal service provides styling suites for all stylists conducting private appointments, the Seller Success program provides each master stylist with their own, personalized suite at a Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue Store.

Also, a new type of stylist, the “global stylist,” has been introduced. They will work “wherever and whenever” their clients choose to shop, meaning they will be working at both the Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores and websites. “These stylists are elite personal stylists who expand beyond traditional store boundaries to serve their clients across all of Saks Global’s luxury retail brands and physical locations, delivering a consistent, elevated experience wherever and however customers choose to shop,” the company said in a statement.

Saks Global indicated that in certain cases, a stylist who sells a huge amount of merchandise would be provided with a budget to travel to meet clients, perhaps to their homes in Aspen, the Hamptons or elsewhere.

“This is one, single formalized program that will help our stylists and sellers at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue grow as professionals,” a spokesperson said.

Asked if Saks Global seeks new talent with this program, the spokesperson replied: “Yes. Saks Global is the premier destination for luxury retail talent, and the Seller Success Track program is expected to attract new talent. We are able to hire experienced stylists with strong business history into this program on a regular basis. We are currently hiring regular and seasonal associates as well.”

In revealing the new program, Saks Global disclosed the following statistics:

Saks Global operates the Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Off 5th stores and e-commerce sites.