Who Owns Bergdorf Goodman?
Bergdorf Goodman is owned by Exemplar Luxury Group, the lender-controlled company formed when Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 on June 26, 2026. Founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf and developed by Edwin Goodman, it operates a single two-building flagship at 754 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, considered among the most prestigious retail venues in the world.
Who Owns Bergdorf Goodman?
- Parent Company: Exemplar Luxury Group
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bergdorf Goodman | Exemplar Luxury Group | Subsidiary |
Advertisement
History of Bergdorf Goodman
- Founded: 1899
- Founders: Herman Bergdorf, Edwin Goodman
Herman Bergdorf opened a tailor shop on Fifth Avenue in 1899, and his employee Edwin Goodman bought the business two years later, renaming it Bergdorf Goodman and transforming it from a tailoring operation into a luxury fashion store. The company moved to its current Fifth Avenue location at 58th Street in 1928, on the site of the former Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion.
Under the Goodman family the store became the defining American luxury retailer of the 20th century: it introduced ready-to-wear designer collections, built the reputation of American designers alongside European couture, and created the shopping experience that became the standard for luxury department stores. Andrew Goodman, Edwin's son, led the company through its mid-century peak.
Neiman Marcus acquired Bergdorf Goodman in 1972, and the store has operated as the group's New York flagship ever since. A dedicated men's store opened across Fifth Avenue in 1990, giving the operation its two-building format. The store survived the Neiman Marcus 2020 bankruptcy intact, and its real estate and customer base made it the most valuable single asset in the subsequent Saks Global combination.
The store is now part of Exemplar Luxury Group following the June 2026 restructuring, unchanged in format but operating within a materially smaller corporate footprint.
Advertisement
About Exemplar Luxury Group
What is Exemplar Luxury Group?
Exemplar Luxury Group is the new name of the company formerly called Saks Global Enterprises, adopted when it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 26, 2026. It owns Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman, operating roughly 49 stores under lender ownership.
What does Exemplar Luxury Group own?
The company operates three luxury retail banners: Neiman Marcus (approximately 33 stores), Saks Fifth Avenue (roughly 15 stores post-restructuring plus saks.com), and Bergdorf Goodman (the two-building Fifth Avenue operation in New York). It also operates the associated e-commerce platforms.
Advertisement
Is Exemplar Luxury Group publicly traded?
No. The company is privately held by the lender consortium that took ownership through the June 2026 bankruptcy restructuring. Pre-bankruptcy equity holders including HBC and Amazon were eliminated under the plan.
Who owns Exemplar Luxury Group?
The company is owned by the consortium of lenders that provided debtor-in-possession financing and held pre-petition debt, converted to equity under the confirmed Chapter 11 plan. Geoffroy van Raemdonck serves as CEO under a lender-appointed board.
Advertisement
Why did Saks Global go bankrupt?
Saks Global filed Chapter 11 in January 2026 after missing a $100 million interest payment the prior month. The cause was approximately $3.4 billion of debt, largely the $2.2 billion borrowed to fund the 2024 Neiman Marcus acquisition, combined with weakening luxury demand, vendor payment strain, and integration problems.
What happened to Amazon's investment in Saks Global?
Amazon's approximately $475 million equity investment was eliminated entirely under the restructuring plan. Amazon does not hold a stake in Exemplar Luxury Group unless it participated in exit financing, which has not been reported.
Advertisement
Is Saks Fifth Avenue closing?
No, but the footprint is smaller. Approximately 15 Saks Fifth Avenue stores remain after restructuring-era closures cut the network roughly in half. The 611 Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan continues operating, as do saks.com and the brand's strongest locations.
- Founded: 2024
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: Not publicly disclosed (private, lender-owned)
- Employees: Approximately 15,000 (estimated post-restructuring)
Where Is Bergdorf Goodman Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Bergdorf Goodman Categories & Tags
Bergdorf Goodman Recalls & Controversies
Bergdorf Goodman has an unusually clean operating record for its longevity. Its controversies have been almost entirely corporate rather than store-level: it was a creditor-exposed participant in the Neiman Marcus 2020 bankruptcy and again in the Saks Global 2026 collapse, but the store itself operated normally through both proceedings.
The store's cultural controversies are minor: periodic disputes over its exclusivity, including a well-documented 2015 lawsuit involving a bar employee's discrimination claims, and the occasional criticism of its elitism inherent in its positioning. No product recalls or regulatory actions of consequence attach to the brand.
Advertisement
Brands Owned by Exemplar Luxury Group
Retail EcommerceNeiman Marcus
Owned by Exemplar Luxury Group
Dallas-based luxury department store group now part of Exemplar Luxury Group, the company formed when Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2026.
luxurydepartment-storefashion-retail
Retail EcommerceSaks Fifth Avenue
Owned by Exemplar Luxury Group
American luxury department store chain known for its flagship location on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and its curated selection of designer fashion, beauty, and accessories.
luxury-retaildepartment-storefashion-retail
Bergdorf Goodman Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Operates from one of the world's most valuable retail addresses
- +Post-bankruptcy parent has a manageable debt load
- +Scarcity model insulates it from chain-store pressures
- +Continuous profitability through all ownership changes
- +Client relationships among the deepest in luxury retail
Considerations
- -Corporate parent has now been through two bankruptcies in six years
- -Single-location concentration means no diversification cushion
- -Luxury brands' direct-retail shift applies even at the top tier
- -Lender ownership may eventually seek monetization of the real estate
- -Dependent on New York luxury tourism flows
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions About Bergdorf Goodman
Sources & Further Reading
Advertisement
Competitors to Bergdorf Goodman
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Investment Authority | United Kingdom | 1849 | Premium | Global | All Genders | |
| Lvmh | France | 1852 | Luxury | Europe | All-ages | |
| Saks Global | USA | 1907 | Luxury | United states | Unisex | |
| Saks Global | USA | 1924 | Luxury department-store | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Retail EcommerceHarrods
Owned by Qatar Investment Authority
British luxury department store founded in 1849 in Knightsbridge, London, owned by Qatar Investment Authority since 2010 and attracting 15 million visitors annually.
department-storeluxuryretail
Retail EcommerceLe Bon Marche
Owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE
French luxury department store in Paris, founded in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut as the world's first department store, owned by LVMH since 2001 and part of the Selective Retailing segment.
luxuryretaildepartment-store
Retail EcommerceNeiman Marcus
Owned by Exemplar Luxury Group
Dallas-based luxury department store group now part of Exemplar Luxury Group, the company formed when Saks Global emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2026.
luxurydepartment-storefashion-retail
Retail EcommerceSaks Fifth Avenue
Owned by Exemplar Luxury Group
American luxury department store chain known for its flagship location on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and its curated selection of designer fashion, beauty, and accessories.
luxury-retaildepartment-storefashion-retail
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Bergdorf Goodman competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Advertisement
Independent Alternatives to Bergdorf Goodman
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Exemplar Luxury Group, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Retail EcommerceLe Bon Marche
Owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE
French luxury department store in Paris, founded in 1852 by Aristide Boucicaut as the world's first department store, owned by LVMH since 2001 and part of the Selective Retailing segment.
luxuryretaildepartment-store
Publicly Traded
Le Bon Marche is owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, a public company, a different structure than Bergdorf Goodman's parent.
Retail EcommercePerigold
Owned by Wayfair Inc.
Wayfair's luxury home design banner, launched in 2017, offering designer furniture, lighting, and decor with white-glove service.
luxurydesigner-furniturehome-decor
Publicly Traded
Perigold is owned by Wayfair Inc., a public company, a different structure than Bergdorf Goodman's parent.
Retail EcommerceSotheby's
Owned by Sotheby's
International auction house founded in 1744, selling fine art, jewelry, watches, and luxury goods. Privately held, majority owned by Patrick Drahi with ADQ holding a minority stake.
auctionartluxury
Privately Owned
Sotheby's operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Retail EcommerceChristie's
Owned by Christie's International plc
British auction house founded in 1766, selling fine art, luxury goods, wine, and collectibles. Owned by Groupe Artemis, the Pinault family holding company, since 1998.
auction-housefine-artluxury-goods
Privately Owned
Christie's operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Retail EcommerceHarrods
Owned by Qatar Investment Authority
British luxury department store founded in 1849 in Knightsbridge, London, owned by Qatar Investment Authority since 2010 and attracting 15 million visitors annually.
department-storeluxuryretail
State-Owned
Harrods is owned by Qatar Investment Authority, a state owned company, a different structure than Bergdorf Goodman's parent.
Retail EcommerceB&H Photo
Owned by B&H Foto & Electronics Corp.
Family-owned New York photo, video, and electronics retailer operating a single Manhattan SuperStore plus a global e-commerce business, founded in 1973.
photographyelectronicsvideo-equipment
Privately Owned
B&H Photo operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Jobs at Exemplar Luxury Group
Advertisement
Latest News About Bergdorf Goodman
Related Articles About Bergdorf Goodman
View more articles
Rivalry
Rolex vs Omega: Independent vs Conglomerate
Rolex is 100% owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation (private, cannot be sold). Omega is part of Swatch Group (SIX, Hayek family control). Private brands took 49.1% of the market. Explore the rivalry.
Who Brands StaffOct 28, 2026
RolexOmegaSwatch Group
Guide
The Complete Guide to Luxury Brand Ownership in 2026
LVMH, Richemont, and Kering control most luxury brands, but Hermes, Chanel, and Rolex remain independent. Our complete guide to luxury brand ownership maps the entire industry. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffMay 8, 2026
LuxuryLvmhRichemont
Industry Analysis
Jewellery Brand Ownership: Who Owns the World's Biggest Jewellers?
Cartier and Tiffany & Co. belong to different conglomerates. Pandora is the world's largest jewellery brand by volume. Discover who owns the major jewellery brands and what it means for buyers.
Who Brands StaffApr 23, 2026
JewelleryRichemontLvmh
Advertisement
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Retail & E-commerce category and related searches from other users.
Brandconvenience-store
7-Eleven
Global leader in convenience retail with over 84,000 stores across 19 countries, offering a diverse range of food, beverages, and everyday essentials with a focus on 24/7 accessibility and neighborhood convenience.
Brand in Retail & E-commerce
retailfranchise
Brandhome-services
Ace Handyman Services
The home repair and improvement franchise brand owned by Ace Hardware.
Brand in Retail & E-commerce
handymanfranchise
Brandhardware
Ace Hardware
The hardware retail brand of Ace Hardware Corporation, the world's largest hardware cooperative.
Brand in Retail & E-commerce
home-improvementcooperative