WeWork to operate co-working spaces in some Saks Fifth Avenue stores

Saks Fifth Avenue owner Hudson’s Bay Co will convert parts of some department stores into co-working spaces, which will be managed by office-sharing start-up WeWork, the companies said, at a time when many employees are negotiating remote-work policies.

Hudson’s Bay will open its first five co-working offices, named SaksWorks, across the Tri-State area including Fifth Avenue Flagship in Manhattan next month. The luxury retailer plans to launch more office spaces to target people who work remotely from the suburbs.

The work-from-home lifestyle has weighed heavily on WeWork by reducing occupancy and increasing operating costs, while low traffic at brick-and-mortar stores hurt sales at department stores in the United States.

Like many retailers, Hudson’s Bay has also been trying to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by bolstering its digital business as well as forming new partnerships, including one with fast-fashion brand Forever 21.

WeWork, meanwhile, also said that it partnered with real-estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield to help landlords and businesses create a hybrid, flexible workplace.

In March, the start-up had agreed to go public through a merger with a blank-check firm in a deal that valued it at $9 billion.