Japanese department store Sogo Co. is considering...

Japanese department store Sogo Co. is considering acquiring the New York-based retail chain Saks Fifth Avenue, according to a Sogo spokesman.

“We have not decided whether or not we would make the purchase,” he said.

The spokesman said the Osaka-based store has been approached by parties related to Saks but he would give no further details.

Saks is owned by BAT Industries of Britain, which has put the department store chain up for sale as part of its attempt to thwart a takeover bid from a group of investors lead by Sir James Goldsmith.