Company Description
Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) is a Seattle-based fashion retailer in the family clothing stores segment of the retail trade sector. The company describes its purpose as helping customers feel good and look their best, with customer service at the center of its decisions since it began as a shoe store in 1901. Nordstrom emphasizes an interconnected model that allows customers to shop when, where and how they prefer, across physical locations and digital channels.
According to company statements, Nordstrom serves customers through more than 350 locations under the Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack banners, as well as through its Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. This combination of stores and digital platforms is intended to provide convenience and what the company calls true connection with customers.
Business model and retail banners
Nordstrom operates a fashion retail business that includes full-line Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom Local service hubs and Nordstrom Rack off-price stores. Nordstrom Rack is identified as the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc. and is described as playing a critical role in the company’s "Closer to You" strategy, which focuses on providing a more convenient and interconnected experience across stores and digital platforms.
Nordstrom Rack offers customers discounts of up to 70 percent on on-trend apparel, accessories, beauty products, home decor and shoes from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom stores. The company also highlights core services at Nordstrom Rack such as online order pickup for Nordstrom.com and NordstromRack.com, easy returns and alterations at select stores. Nordstrom states that Nordstrom Rack is the largest source of new customers to Nordstrom.
Store footprint and formats
Nordstrom reports that it serves customers through more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations. As of a recent quarter-end, the company disclosed 92 Nordstrom stores, 6 Nordstrom Local service hubs, 277 Nordstrom Rack stores and 2 Last Chance clearance stores, for a total of 377 locations and gross store square footage in the tens of millions of square feet.
The company has been expanding its Nordstrom Rack presence across multiple U.S. states. In one fiscal year, Nordstrom opened 23 Nordstrom Rack stores in markets including California, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Illinois, New York, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Nebraska and Indiana. It has also announced additional Nordstrom Rack openings in locations such as Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Massachusetts, Idaho and Colorado, as well as a Catherine Bloom for Nordstrom storefront in Los Angeles, California.
Customer experience and services
Nordstrom emphasizes a heritage of service and a focus on convenience and connection. The company highlights services that allow customers to pick up online orders from both Nordstrom.com and NordstromRack.com at Nordstrom Rack locations and to make returns easily. At select stores, alterations services are also available. Nordstrom Local service hubs function as locations dedicated to services such as personal styling, and one Nordstrom Local service hub was noted as being converted into a storefront dedicated to personal styling.
The company also uses experiential retail concepts, particularly at its Nordstrom NYC Flagship, where it operates "The Corner," a dedicated space for limited-time pop-up shops and brand takeovers. Examples include New Balance @ The Corner, a three-month installation featuring New Balance products, events and experiences, and Nuna at The Corner, a pop-up focused on baby gear and related education and community events.
Digital and interconnected model
Nordstrom describes its business as an interconnected model that serves customers in-store and digitally. Digital sales represent a significant portion of total sales, and customers can shop through Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. The company frames this model as a way to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop, combining physical locations with online capabilities such as order pickup and returns.
Corporate developments and ownership
Nordstrom is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol JWN. An announcement from S&P Dow Jones Indices stated that Pegasystems Inc. would replace Nordstrom Inc. in the S&P MidCap 400 index, with the change effective prior to the opening of trading on May 22, 2025. The same announcement noted that the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool S.A.B. de C.V. are acquiring Nordstrom in a deal expected to be completed on May 20, 2025.
Nordstrom has disclosed that it reached an agreement with members of the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. to acquire all outstanding common shares not already beneficially owned by those parties. The company stated that upon completion of this transaction, Nordstrom’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. This indicates a planned transition from public to private ownership, subject to conditions including shareholder approval.
Financial reporting and dividends
Nordstrom reports its financial results through quarterly earnings releases. In a recent fourth quarter earnings release, the company discussed net earnings, earnings per share, earnings before interest and taxes, comparable sales performance across Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack banners, digital sales mix, gross profit margin, selling, general and administrative expenses, and liquidity. The company also referenced adjusted EBIT and adjusted EPS figures that exclude certain charges such as privatization fees, supply chain asset impairments and accelerated technology depreciation.
The company’s board of directors has approved quarterly cash dividends, including a dividend of 19 cents per share payable on a specified date to shareholders of record on a record date. Nordstrom has also indicated that, given the pending acquisition by members of the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V., it is not providing a fiscal 2025 financial outlook and is not hosting a conference call for certain periods.
Community engagement and partnerships
Nordstrom states that it is committed to investing in the diverse communities where it operates and to leaving the world better than it found it. Over a four-year period, Nordstrom and its customers have donated more than $2 million in support of its long-term partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the United States. These proceeds support recruitment, training and engagement of adult mentors and mentorship moments between Bigs and Littles, such as preparing for an interview, learning to tie a tie and helping with homework.
The company also engages in collaborations with brands and partners through its pop-up concepts. New Balance @ The Corner and Nuna at The Corner are examples where Nordstrom works with brand partners to create immersive retail experiences featuring products, workshops, classes and community events. These initiatives reflect Nordstrom’s approach to combining product offerings with experiential and educational elements.
Employment and culture
Nordstrom’s earlier description of its workplace culture emphasizes empowering employees to set ambitious goals and develop their careers. The company highlights that teams are made up of motivated people who can become leaders at various levels of the organization, and that hard work, loyalty, a competitive spirit and commitment to the customer can advance an employee’s career. Nordstrom also references respect for the environment and support for communities as part of its broader commitments.
Geographic presence and economic impact
Nordstrom’s store announcements illustrate its presence across multiple U.S. states, including Texas, Georgia, Colorado, New York and others. In individual markets, the company notes that it operates combinations of Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores and that these operations generate thousands of jobs statewide. New Nordstrom Rack openings in places such as Flower Mound, Texas; Suwanee, Georgia; Longmont, Colorado; and Lake Grove, New York are described as expanding the company’s physical footprint and economic impact in those regions.
Status considerations for investors
For those researching JWN stock, it is important to note the company’s own disclosure that, following the completion of the acquisition by members of the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V., Nordstrom’s common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. Additionally, S&P Dow Jones Indices has announced that Nordstrom will be removed from the S&P MidCap 400 index in connection with this transaction. These developments are material to the trading status and index membership of JWN and are based on company and index provider announcements.
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SEC Filings
No SEC filings available for Nordstrom.