NEW YORK, NY – In a strategic pivot designed to redefine exclusivity, Saks Fifth Avenue announced today that it will shutter 20 more of its physical locations, leaving a mere 13 stores nationwide. Company executives insist this drastic reduction is not a consequence of its recent bankruptcy filing or inability to pay vendors, but rather a visionary approach to curate a more 'select' clientele.

“We’re not closing stores; we’re opening up a new paradigm of scarcity,” explained CEO Millicent Sterling, from a secure, undisclosed location. “In an era of ubiquitous consumption, true luxury is about what you *can’t* easily have. Soon, finding a Saks Fifth Avenue will be an adventure, a quest—a pilgrimage for the discerning few.” Sterling added that the remaining 13 locations would primarily serve as 'museums of aspirational retail,' where patrons can gaze upon designer goods they may or may not be able to purchase.

Industry analysts, however, were less convinced. “It’s certainly a unique interpretation of 'focusing on the luxury sector,'” noted Dr. Reginald Posh, a professor of advanced retail delusion at the Wharton School. “Usually, that involves, you know, *having* stores where people can actually buy things. But perhaps they’re pioneering a new 'luxury of absence' model.”

The company also hinted at future plans to introduce a 'Saks Fifth Avenue Black Card,' which would grant holders the privilege of being told which city the nearest remaining store is in. The Chicago location, among those slated for closure, will reportedly be converted into a pop-up experience featuring a single, very expensive scarf.