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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 MZwbov32/n+f3wXIeS/5yg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001186885-09-000001.txt : 20090605
<SEC-HEADER>0001186885-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090605
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090605125704
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001186885-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090603
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090605
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090605

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HESS DONALD E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186885

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13113
		FILM NUMBER:		09876301

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAKS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000812900
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				620331040
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0203

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12 EAST 49TH STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(212) 940-5305

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12 EAST 49TH STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10017

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PROFFITTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-06-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000812900</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SAKS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186885</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HESS DONALD E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>SOUTHWOOD PARTNERS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>505 N. 20TH STREET, SUITE 1015</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BIRMINGHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>35203</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-06-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18519</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>137473</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted Stock Award made as of June 3, 2009 under the Saks Incorporated 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The shares representing this Award will be issued only after certification that Plan was duly approved  by the Company's shareholders at the Company's 2009 annual meeting on June 3, 2009, and are expressly subject to defeasance in the event the Plan is not approved.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael Santora as attorney-in-fact for Donald Hess pursuant to Power of Attorney dated February 27, 2008</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-06-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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