The French jeweler, which is owned by Geneva-based luxury conglomerate Richemont, took legal action against Saks Fifth Avenue over its location in the department store’s New York City flagship, located at 611 Fifth Ave.
Cartier and Saks signed a five-year retail lease in 2016 but when Saks started its first-floor renovation and proposed a new spot for the popular brand, Cartier pushed back, refusing to “move to a location within the store that does not align with the Maison’s positioning and image standards,” the company said in a statement.
Saks terminated Cartier’s lease following the renovation relocation dustup, which is what prompted the jewelry brand to take the retailer to court. Cartier’s complaint against the department store was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York; it alleges breach of contract. In it, the company states that the renovation led to a decrease in foot traffic, as well as “significant dust and construction debris,” and asks that Saks be stopped from terminating the contract. The complaint also asserts that damages could be in excess of $40 million.