Saks Global Enterprises’

chief executive Marc Metrick is stepping down from his role as the cash-strapped

high-end retailer

considers its restructuring options, including a

Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing

.

Metrick will be replaced by the department-store chain’s executive chairman Richard Baker, according to a statement Friday. Baker will

hold both the CEO

and chairman roles.

Metrick is leaving the company in order to pursue new opportunities, according to the statement.

The switch-up comes as Saks is weighing a

potential bankruptcy

after struggling financially over the past year despite raising billions of dollars from investors to finance a turnaround plan centred on the acquisition of

Neiman Marcus

.

Just days ago, Bloomberg reported that Saks is seeking to negotiate a deal with creditors after skipping an interest payment totalling more than US$100 million that was due to bondholders. The company is contemplating raising emergency funds, selling assets or, as a last resort, filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A filing would come just months after Saks restructured its debt in June, imposing steep losses on some creditors and taking on new, senior debt in an effort to fund what it called a “transformation strategy.”

  • Cash-strapped Saks skips bond payment amid talks with creditors
  • Hudson’s Bay closures to cause job losses well beyond the retailer

—With assistance from Jeannette Neumann.

Bloomberg.com