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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O6GFHHMElxqD9z0QzZUM8iIzPw6c3RCXRipL1MeFINDtkpLE1CvkR+2AuAyG810A
 9MICD1NM9FutWQcaoSyn2A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001390170-08-000012.txt : 20080317
<SEC-HEADER>0001390170-08-000012.hdr.sgml : 20080317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080317151927
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001390170-08-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080314
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080317
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080317

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Matthews Thomas G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001390170

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13113
		FILM NUMBER:		08692640

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		205-940-4145

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

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>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-14</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001390170</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Matthews Thomas G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12 EAST 49TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group SVP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-03-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>27.24</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.39</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>27.24</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>519.039</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive the cash equivalent of one share of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Phantom stock was issued in accordance with the Saks Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan (&quot;DCP&quot;) and pursuant to a deferral election made on November 17, 2006, which provides for the phantom stock to become payable in cash following the reporting person's termination of employment with Saks Incorporated.  The reporting person may transfer the value of his phantom stock account in the DCP into an alternative investment account at any time.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Matthews</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-03-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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