Macy’s hit with backlash over holiday window display as fans blast it’s ‘underwhelming’ & cry ‘they could never be Saks’

Santa meet-and-greets and beautiful windows at MACY’S flagship store in Midtown Manhattan attract thousands of visitors annually.

Customers, however, shook their heads at the “craptastic” design when the store’s storefront was revealed on November 21.

Give Love, this year’s Windows theme, emphasizes the various ways that people celebrate being together over the holidays.

In its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s distinctive stars—which are sometimes seen as inflated balloons—are featured on the show.

Scenes of New York City are seen behind elves prepared for the winter.

The cheerful automated display includes gifts, big hearts, and more.

Manny Urquizo, the National Windows Director at Macy’s, told local CW affiliate WPIX that it’s quite interesting to observe people’s faces from a distance.

It’s very sweet and wonderful to see the happiness the windows bring to their faces.

However, social media’s response to the revelation has been ambivalent.

When @secret_nyc posted something on Instagram, someone replied, “It’s giving bare minimum with a side of basic.”

“Underwhelming,” one additional commenter wrote.

“Spooky and not really fascinating. Someone another said, “Perhaps it’s better in person.”

“Well, it is just awful! “I can see the source of the budget cuts,” someone another remarked.

“They could never be Saks but then again Saks isn t even doing this anymore,” another person remarked.

SAK-RILEGE

The U.S. Sun reported in early November that Saks had abandoned its annual light show after 20 years, leaving fans furious.

The U.S. Sun was informed by a Saks Fifth Avenue representative that the store is undergoing a transformation.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s Christmas celebrations have long featured a light show at our flagship store, but we’ve been considering a change in strategy for a while,” the representative said.

“In our 100th year, which also marks the anniversary of the flagship, we are celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building, elegantly illuminating the facade and framing the holiday windows, as well as highlighting the fashion for which Saks Fifth Avenue is known.”

But the store’s renownedly ornate windows will be back.

“We look forward to welcoming customers to our holiday windows throughout the season and invite them to discover inspiring gifts and unique holiday offerings within the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship,” said a spokesman.

Macy’s established the holiday windows tradition in 1874.

Only in 2004 did Saks join in on the fun.

But because of its extravagant patterns, it soon became a beloved holiday custom.

Throughout the holiday season, lights were projected in 10-minute increments on the side of the flagship Saks shop, which faces the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan.

The store dazzled in 2023 with a Dior-sponsored show that brought thousands of admirers to Fifth Avenue every day.

Blocks could be viewed from the expansive spectacle that was the Carousel of Dreams window display.

Those who are upset that this year’s Saks show has been canceled can instead visit the Macy’s windows or the numerous other festive stores in the midtown neighborhood.

Macy’s has been contacted by the U.S. Sun for comment.

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