Two major luxury retailers are butting heads: According to multiple news sources, Cartier International has filed a $40 million lawsuit against Saks Inc. The reason: Saks’ redesign of the first floor of its 5th Avenue store in Manhattan has been so messy, that next-door Cartier’s employees have been suffering in health, and Cartier has been suffering in sales.
The lawsuit, filed in New York state court in Manhattan last week, alleges that Saks’ renovation works have blanketed the Cartier display windows – full of diamond jewelry, watches and accessories – with dust and debris. Cartier also claims that the works have reduced foot traffic. It also alleges that Saks, which owns the Cartier location, told Cartier to clear the premises by October 13, 2018, although the lease contract is set to expire in October 2021. Cartier is asking the court to cancel the eviction request and also seeks $40 million in damages.
This week, Saks Fifth Avenue filed a countersuit against Cartier, alleging that Saks will sustain damages in excess of $55 million if Cartier does not vacate its space.
