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Although shopping at mom-and-pop stores throughout New York is part of the city's charm, locals are fortunate enough to also be able to snag wears at some of the best department stores in the world. A new study has ranked our very own Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue among the top such destinations globally.
Released by online coupon site CouponPi, the survey analyzed 46,000 reviews of the 50 most famous department stores worldwide. The study focused on customer feedback, specifically the frequency of positive words used to describe the shopping experience.
Overall, London took the lead, with three of the top five department stores, including Fortnum & Mason at number one, Liberty London at number three and Selfridges at number five.
New York’s Bloomingdale’s (ranked 8th) and Saks Fifth Avenue (ranked 9th) are the only two American stores on the list—and we’re not surprised by their inclusion. Both are iconic local landmarks: Bloomingdale’s was founded in 1861 on the Lower East Side and is now headquartered at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. Saks Fifth Avenue, originally named Saks & Company, first opened in D.C. but expanded into Manhattan with a Herald Square store in 1902 and its flagship on Fifth Avenue and 50th Street in 1924.
In addition to being premier shopping destinations, both stores are also known for their stunning holiday displays, featuring elaborate window decorations. However, in a shocking move, Saks announced in November that it would cancel its beloved holiday light show. Although the news left both locals and tourists disappointed, we seek solace in the fact that we can still shop at Saks!
The 10 best department stores in the world:
1. Fortnum & Mason in London
2. El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico City
3. Liberty London in London
4. Arnotts in Dublin
5. Selfridges in London
6. Printemps Haussmann in Paris
7. Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Singapore
8. Bloomingdale's in New York
9. Saks Fifth Avenue in New York
10. Le Bon Marché in Paris