What Is Going On At Nordstrom? | Retail Archaeology

Let's take a look at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.
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[@AlexandriatheRed]

Nordstrom used to be SUPER classy. They always had a pianist on weekends and the employees were extremely well-dressed. Their anniversary sale was a huge deal and they often had bustling restaurants at their busier locations.

[@freddyhoyt1849]

I remember when I lived in California I used to go to the stone ridge mall in pleanton California and there used be a piano playing on the weekends sad to see how much they have changed

[@desertmoonlight2880]

I remember those days

[@jbar_85]

Yeah I worked at Nordstrom and remember that piano man. It was a classy company. The overhead announcer sounded like she was on American idol lol! 😂

[@briankelly85]

the last days of the roman empire.

[@romanmichaelhamilton8729]

@@briankelly85 Indeed.

[@drewconway7135]

Nordstrom Rack used to be where Nordstrom would send closeouts, remainders, and end-of-season merchandise. Then about 20 years ago a new management team swept in and the number of Rack locations exploded. You can still find markdowns from regular Nordstrom stores, but those are rare. You are more likely to find items purchased specifically for Rack locations, and they have become junky accordingly. It’s sad.

[@karenfriesen280]

I think this was how the TJ Maxx stores started as well-over-stocks and merchandise that didn’t sell at regular retailers. Now it appears most of their products are made specifically for their stores. Rarely find a true designer deal any longer.

[@drewconway7135]

@@karenfriesen280 Agreed. They sold their soul to Rae Dunn. Once that cheugy pottery started flying off the shelves, it was game over

[@kelseyloveskitties]

100% accurate

[@oliviaglass3843]

And the Rack store in Durham NC looks like a dirty Kmart (just before they finally went out of business….)

[@gingercollier7949]

I’m used to work for Nordstrom and what happened was the Rack stores were selling items so fast they had to purchase additional merchandise just to be able to keep them open and have a place to liquidate their own merchandise.

[@MrPeteykins]

Seeing an expensive Acne sweater on a wire hanger is such a crime. Good knits should be folded!

[@goosegirl941]

I came here to say the same! I have a nice Acne sweater but mines from the thrift store for $4

[@floridaredneck]

I guess no one thought Acne was a strange name for fashion. Why call it something that every one gets?

[@planescaped]

Well it is fugly, so maybe that's why, lol.

[@CommodoreFan64]

@@floridaredneck That's the truth, why call your clothing line a human skin infection? 😅

[@floridaredneck]

"Hey, look at those nice Under Armor sweats with the UA logo embroidered on the leg. But, oh wait! Oh wow, look at these over here with Acne embroidered on them. Man, could you just image the guys in the gym seeing these? You know, I remember a really bad breakout once, so let's get these, and they're only $200 more than the UAs"! "Better hurry before someone else wants some Acne before I get it"! @@CommodoreFan64

[@kssarh]

What really struck me about that Nordstrom is that it just does not look like a place that should have clothes at that price point. While I do not shop at Nordstrom, I've been to the one in Chicago and it looks like a luxury store. High end furnishings, well kept, and lots of semi-private nooks and crannies and mini botiques. It really helps buy into the idea that it's a store where you buy luxury goods. That Nordstrom looked like any other department store and I can't imagine dropping several hundred on a shirt there. Even though it should make no rational difference.

[@sparksfly13]

reminds me of Hudson's Bay here in Canada... their flagship stores are beautiful! i've been to the Vancouver location with 6 floors and it looked amazing. the one local to me though? it's a dump that hasn't seen an update since the early 90s. they sell the same, expensive clothes, but at two vastly different locations

[@ashextraordinaire]

The Nordstrom near me (before it closed) had that high-end look to it, and I used to love walking around there. The ladies' room had a fancy lounge, and the café had a dress code. Never bought anything full-price there though!

[@steveosk8s]

Which is wild because Scottsdale is chock full of luxury stuff. Having your Scottsdale store look like that will not bring the people in.

[@theeccentrictripper3863]

You're on to something, both shirts are stitched by the same slave somewhere in Asia so really to a certain extent what you're paying for is the aesthetic of luxury, rather than luxury materials/products themselves, and when they're not delivering that one thing that distinguishes this plain white shirt from the $5 one at Target it creates intense cognitive dissonance.

[@cslusarc]

​@@sparksfly13I'm also freezing in Canada. Hudson's Bay operates too many stores. Many of the smaller stores are stuck in the '80s. Although a local gold tier store @ St Vital Centre got some carpet replaced and new paint it still looks old as the white tile in the aisles are still old.

[@briankelly85]

all the luxury is gone from American retail. everything looks like a Walmart. fact!

[@TOCC50]

Caldor had a great snack bar with the giant salted pretzels 🥨

[@wanda520]

That’s why I buy from eBay

[@magnumxlpi]

There's plenty of luxury left. It just depends on where you go

[@l_Live_In_Oregon]

I picked up at a local thrift store a brand new pair of mens dress shoes. They were $20 at the thrift store but they were going out of business, so they were marked 75% off making them $5. The only thing missing was the box. No wear on the shoes on the sole or the inside. I looked them up on Nordstrom, they sold for over $300. Glad to pay $5

[@marygonzalez-pf7cb]

Wow You Go Smart Shopper👍🏽😺

[@Kuulei265]

I scored like that on a pair of Sketchers. They usually go near &80.00. I got mine NEW at a thrift store for $20.00. Yes deal of the day.

[@hawktalon7890]

Nice! My thrift shops don't have men's shoes usually.

[@TheBigExclusive]

I have some friends that used to work at Nordstrom. They told me that internally there has been a push by Executives to open more Nordstrom Rack locations for many years now. That it's caused division within the company because Nordstrom opens more Rack locations than main stores. And that Nordstrom is unintentially competing against itself and causing problems. Part of Nordstrom is Iuxury brand appeal, and the Rack was NEVER meant to be a replacement for the mainline Nordstrom stores. Rack was just meant as a secondary store to clear out old stock, and clothing that is no longer the latest fashions. It's not an even distribution of stores. For every 1 main Nordstrom store, the Executives would open 2 or 3 Rack locations in nearby areas. So less people shop at the main stores and just go to Racks since they are in the same general area. And that's why shopping at main line Nordstroms is down much more than Rack locations.

[@RetailArchaeology]

That makes sense. It's seems strange to me that there's 250ish Racks stores and only 100 full line stores. It seems like those numbers should be the other way around.

[@PKPhoenix83]

Used to work at Nordstrom and what you said is true. Also, they got rid of the older salespeople that knew what they were doing in favor of under 40 an hour young employees. The company has been going down hill for a while.

[@TheBigExclusive]

​@@RetailArchaeology - Most of those Rack locations are brand new. It's another example of newer Executives coming in, and prioritizing short term gains at the expense of long term losses. Nordstrom Racks sell lots of discounted merchandise at a cheaper price. So new Executives can claim they increased the number of customers coming in. That they "accomplished" something during their time as Executive of . But this comes at the cost of hurting Nordstrom's luxury brand image. This brand image took many decades to build. It's funny you mentioned Ross as a comparison to Nordstroms. I know you meant it as a joke, but that's what they are slowly turning into with so many Rack stores. Many Nordstrom workers would cringe with embarrassment hearing that Ross joke, but it's true. With so many Rack stores outnumbering mainline Nordstrom stores, it causes customers to just go to a Rack store. They don't want to drive or travel farther away for a mainline Nordstroms. Set aside price for a moment. Imagine a customer wants to buy something at Nordstrom. The mainline store is twice as far away as the nearest Rack store. So that customer just decides to check out the Rack instead. Just thought I'd share what I've been told.

[@westtell4]

well i mean paying 45 dollars for a shirt at a rack store VS paying 400+ for the same shirt that also is dragging down their business at the full line stores i'm sure... we are on the verge of another great depression and people just dont have that kind of disposable income to be spending 98 on a white T-shirt with a pocket you can get for 25 dollars a target

[@TheBigExclusive]

@@westtell4 - The reason that shirt is discounted at the Rack is because it's no longer in season. It's an older design, and not the latest fashion anymore. So it gets removed from the mainline Nordstrom stores, and sold at Rack stores. Nordstrom mainline stores caters to specific groups of people. I understand it isn't for everyone (esp. If you are on a budget), but there are people out there who want the latest fashion trends, and want certain brand name clothing. Shoes are big seller for Nordstroms. Maybe someone wants a specific brand name shoe in a specific size and a specific color. Nordstrom Mainline stores sell it, and can special order it for you. With stores like the Rack, you only get whatever is leftover and whatever is on the shelves. There's no guarantee you can get the exact brand, shoe size, or color you want. That's the trade off.

[@wplants9793]

I used to love Nordstroms, the customer service was fantastic. I’d go in, say my budget and what I wanted, and the shop girls would help me pick out clothes, and they were really good at it. It had an excellent bra selection with sizes not found at other department stores, and with legitimate fittings, it’s rare to have that nowadays. And they had a tailoring service, they’d hem and alter clothes for you and it was really affordable. They’d turn regular bras into nursing bras for like $15. Most of the Nordstroms closed in my area, Portland OR, but there is one downtown which seems to have a decent amount of foot traffic in the shoe/accessories/cosmetic area. But the top floor is like a ghost store and there is no juniors section. They use to have the best junior section, outshining other stores; affordable but yet same good quality and service. I still go there for high end makeup and the service is still really good in that department even though I’m not a big spender in that category.

[@maylani3697]

The huge Nordstrom in what use to be the Westfield mall in downtown San Francisco just closed in August last year and so did the Nordstrom Rack right across the street. I haven’t been in the Nordstrom there in years. But, in its heyday, there was the gentleman playing piano. The Cafe and a restaurant. And, a full service spa on the top floor. They even had a climate controlled facility and service where you could have them store your fur coats. Talk about luxury. They were know for great customer service and no snooty attitude. Everybody must have wanted to work in the shoe department earning those huge commissions. It was ALWAYS crazy busy. Alas, no more middle class. High inflation and low wages. No one has money to spend on luxuries.

[@sarahs5340]

Exactly! I remember the middle class luxury era. Today people are just hanging on.

[@sciagurrato1831]

Beg to differ.

[@andysorensen1737]

I shop at Nordstrom occasionally, and yeah, Racks can look dumpy but you can find reasonably great deals in them. Picked up a designer winter hat, scarf, and gloves for $40. Usually runs $300. Some of the full line stores even have restaurants too and are surprisingly reasonably priced considering. Got a burger and fries at the Vegas location last summer for ~$18.

[@Code7Unltd]

>$18 >burgers and fries I'm sure fries and patties are cheaper when bought frozen. I'm guessing foodservice isn't any better than tourist trap shops.

[@TimeQuxxn]

So true! Contemporary designers send tbeir sale items there and you can do regular nordstrom returns at the rack! The finds are endless and its like a trasure hunt

[@theonly1258]

True….. Racks look like some of the Marshalls or Burlingtons

[@upontheventura]

Considering the high end fashions they sell- that store is a dump. It looks like a Macy's. Very surprised by this actually!

[@destinysdesire]

Good point. It immediately reminded me of JC Penny and Macy's.

[@AnotherTruth]

Yes, it looks so ragged. I think the last time I went to Nordstrom and store was back in Dallas, but that was nearly 20 years ago, and it didn’t look like this. It was a proper and beautiful store with all the amenities it offered at the time. I don’t think it looked any better really than the ragged Macys we have left.

[@juliac6256]

this one looks terrible, the one near me looks a lot better

[@davis6123]

I can’t figure out Nordstrom’s strategy when it comes to remodels. Some of their stores look phenomenal and brand new after remodels- but they have only done a few (kind of like Macy’s). The ones they pick to remodel is what really confuses me. This Scottsdale location is high-volume and isn’t being renovated, but they have remodeled lower volume stores in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Weird stuff. They’re far too focused on their Rack division and seemingly forgot about the full-line business.

[@hennahannnah]

I was in the NorthPark store recently and it seemed rather empty of customers and merch in fashion departments. It was just after Christmas and perhaps before Inventory. I wondered a bit though. The restaurant is still there and a place k like to eat whether shopping or as a destination in its own. Cosmetics and shoes always seem busy.

[@real_fjcalabrese]

I used to shop at that Nordstrom's. I used to buy accessories, cufflinks, ties etc., from the same salesman for years. That was when I was making better money than I am today, and I was working with people in person. I used to eat in that cafe. It was a place I could decompress. If you go to the Neiman Marcus in the same mall, that Nordstrom's may seem reasonably priced after a trip there.

[@youdeservethis]

I shop at Nordstrom's. I made an appointment for a personal shopper pick out a bunch of clothes for me to close from. I am bad at shopping, and needed a capsule wardrobe that looked good on me. The prices were a touch higher ($90 for a pair of pants), but they are classically tailored, had free tailoring for all my clothes, and well made. I loved that I didn't have to wander aimlessly, could choose from clothes that were picked for my taste, have them tailored for free, and be on my way. Now I won't need to shop for a long time. Well worth the money.

[@annarowden9457]

Nordstrom was the only store where I was able to find white pants with a liner. Paid $50, which I thought was a good deal.

[@wendypierce5621]

I miss the days when they had live piano players! I mostly go in there to buy bras because they have more sizes and actually know how to fit someone properly.

[@Pubslife]

Von Maur had a playing today. Great customer service too!

[@stevelesher1690]

A few thoughts from an old Boomer who shopped there back in the day: Nordstrom competed by offering a level of service consistent with its prices. The stores themselves were elegant in big cities; in smaller markets like Phoenix (smaller thirty years ago, when Nordstrom came to Scottsdale Fashion Square) the store layout could be fairly generic. The $1300 leather jacket is a small example of what things use to be like; you could spend thousands on a garment at Nordstrom, men's or women's (and I'm speaking of Scottsdale; imagine the prices in Chicago or Seattle). But Nordstrom is like the malls themselves: it thrived in the days -- the '80s and well into the '90s -- when average consumers had good money to spend. Now that they don't it isn't what it used to be.

[@bblvrable]

There used to be a Nordstrom near me, which took over a Sears location. The bottom 3 floors were the full-line Nordstrom, while the top floor was a Nordstrom Rack. It was really strange because aside from the name, there were no similarities between the two. The second you went up that final escalator, you got transported to an entirely different store. Gone were the wide aisles and the orderly displays, replaced by rack upon rack of clothes in no easily distinguishable order, and shelves just crammed full of product. Oddly, I'd never actually looked at any of the prices at the full-line Nordstrom. I only went there with the girl I was dating at the time, and she had no interest in Nordstrom, only Nordstrom Rack. I'd never realized though that the price difference between the two was that dramatic, since I'd assumed that the Rack section was just their clearance department. They went out of business last June, after only eight years at that location, marking their final exit from Canada.

[@SqurtieMan]

Nordstrom mainline is perhaps the top of the game if you're in sales. My mom worked at that very Nordstrom in scottsdale, started working about $6k in debt, she was able to pay it off in 2 weeks from commission alone (which I think is about 10%). Say what you will about price tags, they sure know how to treat the people who make their money.

[@samph3315]

I knew someone who would work the shoe sale when he was in grad school. This was about a dozen years ago.

[@louisaugustexvi4515]

totally agreed people work at nordstrom for decades

[@zata1197]

I've never been in a Nordstrom, and seeing those prices I probably never will. I could be a millionaire and I'd still never spend $100 on a plain tshirt, the leather jacket I could maybe justify being expensive but $1800 dollars is insane

[@josephtafur]

I found a an awesome Arizona Leather Jacket that was super cheaper at the Family Thrift Center here in Corpus Christi.

[@scrapbrainsinc]

I feel like at this price range you should be getting something more custom and tailored to your size. But I question who honestly goes to Nordstrom, and like pulls it off the rack, tries it on, and buys it. Most people research expensive purchases right?

[@nicolasdefranco7179]

the irony of it all is that place looks so... cheap. Just like a Walmart.

[@floridaredneck]

Arizona is JC Penny's house brand. They usually go for about $100-$150 price range. You got a good deal. There was a time when they were made in the USA, those are gems to find. Generally people drop those off that don't know what they are. @@josephtafur

[@bethpeters3477]

I have been to both Nordstrom’s and Nordstrom’s rack. It is amazing to me that they sell almost the same things if not the same clothes at Nordstrom’s in it so much more expensive than at Nordstrom rack.

[@OldMan_PJ]

Last time I shopped in a Nordstrom was 2002, bought a pair of shoes then went and bought a car. BIG mistake, the car dealer saw me walking on the lot with a Nordstrom bag and started salivating.

[@sunspot42]

Nordstrom used to have the best menswear for the money of any of the department stores. It was expensive but fit well and lasted forever. Their store brand dress shirts were better than even costly designer shirts - doctors and lawyers always wore Nordstrom dress shirts. I would never pay list price but during their big annual sale on menswear - I think it was in January - I’d buy shirts and pants from them. Their salespeople were professionals who had great eyes for fashion - I’d get random compliments just walking down the street on shirts and ties Nordstrom’s salespeople had recommended I buy. I think people have largely abandoned department stores for fast fashion retailers and high end boutiques. Nordstrom should have hung onto their salespeople and expanded their business as fashion consultants, helping make sure you spent your money on clothes that actually make you look sharp. Instead they sacked them all and left customers to wander around a maze of expensive product. Of course sales are down. It doesn’t help that either that most office jobs are done partially or fully from home these days. People don’t need to look sharp 5 days a week. They aren’t going to be buying as many if any nice clothes.

[@sparkswolverine]

This was me when it came to Lord & Taylor.

[@costamesa22]

We’ll said. I think often I’m the exception to that wearing a suit and tie 5 days a week working in the office. Personally I like Brooks Brothers suits ties and 👔 for the quality but Nordstrom had a great house line of men’s wear very high quality. I had a boss that bought all his suits and dress clothes at Nordstrom.

[@Napsteraspx]

I think if they tried some sort of trendy celebrity collaboration designs or something, it might have helped prop up thier image as a high end store. Although I feel like most rich people these days care more about thier social media presence and custom clothes from oddly specific designers.

[@justcrazy1981]

As a Canadian I was intrigued when Nordstrom entered the Canadian market in 2014 with its first store in Oil rich Calgary. They expanded to 6 department stores (I think)and hand full of Nordstrom Racks across Canada over the years. However, they closed all stores this past June. Just shy of 10 years. Apparently they were never able to turn a profit in Canada just losses. I walked in to Nordstroms a couple times in Canada and the US. I couldn't afford much at regular price and even checking out the traditional clearance months of January & June, just proved it was not meant for a middle class income. Walking in to Nordstrom Rack was more affordable, but they were often out of they way in Canadian cities. Quite honestly, they weren't much different than Winners/Marshall's owned by TJX. To be honest, I found the selection better at Winners/Marshall's. Bottom line is I don't think it's a surprise that Nordstroms is suffering losses. Given other department stores are also suffering. Luxury goods are a limited market. Like most things these days, my thought is if a person wants that item, a person will go buy it directly from the brand store or website.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

US retail brands just never seem extremely popular in 🇨🇦

[@roachtoasties]

I felt they should have at least kept Vancouver open, since it's geographically close to their headquarters (Seattle) and was doing a decent business, but I guess they couldn't keep one open.

[@babbybailey2534]

The Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto is closed in'22-23

[@jonleibow3604]

@@DavidLLambertmobile Except Walmart

[@AnotherTruth]

Welcome back, and I hope that your holiday season was restful and recuperative Personally, I remember a time when Nordstrom was nicer than what it looks like from this video. It was a much different time back then. Occasionally I would get some cosmetics or reasonable, handbags, or gloves from the Nordstrom store itself but I would get it online even though they have so many stores in my state I like Nordstrom rack for some things. I wouldn’t go to the one in Boston because it seems really dirty and disorganized. I order online and I don’t know if it’s coming from another to dirty store but I’ve actually purchased Moschino boots and gloves, very inexpensively from there and I still have them after several years and still use them so it was a good deal I think. If I were in the market for outlet stores or anything similar to Nordstrom rack, I much prefer Saks off fifth. The one in my community is very clean and organized and the people they are very helpful and plus they have some interesting merchandise at fairly good prices, there. I knew you wouldn’t be picking up anything from the Nordstrom store but I had hoped to pick up some thing from Nordstrom rack and you certainly did. I love it. I also love the attention to the half-full drink cups because it wouldn’t be a store tour without them. Take care and thank you!

[@shontoo6979]

Those prices used to be indicative of quality and material and that's why they had a premium price tag. However, these days they have kept the high price tags and the quality of the clothing has gone down.. looking at those clothes on the rack all of the t-shirts look very shlubby, nothing different than a normal big box store.

[@pulidobl]

This! 100X This!

[@CWhyNot75]

I've noticed this too more and more higher priced just means higher priced with no correlation to actual quality of said item.

[@aubnwa01]

When I lived in WA, I used to buy shoes at Nordstrom, which makes sense because they started out as a shoe store. Having problem feet, the Nordie's shoe salespeople really knew their stuff, but I haven't even been in a regular Nordstrom in like 20 years & I can never find anything at a Rack, so I stopped trying.

[@sherryberry6492]

I worked at the one that used to be at Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis in the mid 90s (closed around 2005) and it was FABULOUS! It truly was a world apart at that time, and for those of us who know and remember, there is an incredible decline in service and merchandise since its heyday. I rarely shop there any longer.

[@christiemarks5134]

In the 1980s and 90s Nordstrom was really nice. The sales associates were the best and it was Fun in a classy way. One could find high end clothes and when you bought something it was a special, happy event. I’m really sad that those days are gone!

[@cleopatra658]

I used to buy Hosiery and Spanx from Nordstrom! They were not available in other stores at the time! I also bought an evening gown in clearance once! Loved the Piano Player and the Ladies Restroom/Lounge!

[@brittanywhyte7246]

When I was growing up, my mom used to take my sister and I to the Nordstrom in the Annapolis Mall. It was an experience. There would often be a live pianist playing jazz standards on the store’s grand piano, and if someone had to make an announcement over the P.A. system, they would use a soothing voice so that it would not interfere with the performance. There was gleaming marble and chrome everywhere. Upstairs in the junior’s department, there were giant screens broadcasting music videos constantly, and the racks were full of trendy brands from L.A. that were hard to find anywhere else in Maryland. Nearby was the Nordstrom Café, which served an elevated version of American cuisine. No other store in the mall had better customer service. Of course, many of the departments were too pricey for my family, but we didn’t even need to spend much money to have a good time there. That particular store went out of business in the last few years. I think rising costs of living and retail models that emphasize convenience over creating an experience, such as ordering an item online and picking it up at the store, have taken a bite out of what made Nordstrom successful in the first place. In addition to that, the Internet has helped smaller boutiques reach a wider audience, and the exclusivity factor is not really there anymore for most Nordstrom merchandise. Also, the fashion market is over-saturated with too many products that look the same, so why buy a plain white shirt from Nordstrom when any store in your area sells it for less? Still, I wonder if there are any Nordstrom stores that still have live piano players.

[@betsybrady8520]

The regular Nordstrom stores do not over buy that is why the stores appear so neat and clean… even on the sale racks. That is 1 huge difference between them and the other department stores. I really miss the fact that they no longer have in store customer service departments. There were many classy things about this store that are just gone. It is sad.

[@MajorMechazawa]

I love when your videos open with an homage to the StarChild logo, reminds me of watching old ADV Films anime DVDs from the early 2000’s

[@Code7Unltd]

It can also be a reminder to Cartoon Network viewers that they were about to run 1 of the 6 FLCL videos.

[@SeaBassTian]

I don't shop there often but I love the experience of shopping at Nordy, the branch I used to visit had an elegant piano player and a really good cafe. I believe the bulk of shopping that takes place at their full price stores occurs in June at the big Anniversary sale.

[@SLone3251]

Dude, I totally forgot about the piano players. I just realized they've been gone for many years now. Like 10 or so.

[@adamhendricks90]

It’s sad we think of $1800 as a mortgage payment now 😭 Great video as always! I forgot to comment on the last video but a Scheels video would be fun it looks like an awesome store.

[@anakarina1011]

How much should it be

[@Hotlog69]

Years of hiring outsiders for high management and terrible business choices has really hurt the company. Instead of them focusing on what made them famous, they've been trying to run like every other store. Prices weren't so bad back when I had a 20% discount. Though, you can't look at one rack. They used to offer good products at more affordable prices. Also, those clothes you saw will go on clearance soon enough.

[@kylokev]

Wow. The Nordstrom Rack in your video is a lot sadder than the one by mom’s place in the SoCal suburbs! You’re so right when saying it looked like a Ross or Marshall’s. With full-line Nordstrom stores, I think that targeted social advertising for smaller brands at comparable prices makes it so much easier to shop at home from a phone than going to a mall?

[@planescaped]

The rack where I live also looked a lot more like the mainline Nordstorm he visited.

[@samph3315]

I think it’s the location. I live on the Westside of LA and the stores here do look better. He might just be looking an area that is down market.

[@kylokev]

@@samph3315 Agreed. The SoCal locations like where you are and where my mom is are generally newer, too. Sometimes brand-new before the Rack moves in.

[@karladoane7323]

The image of the setting sun in that blue sky was gorgeous.

[@AlbumReviewChannel]

Nordstrom rack only carries about six brands for Men's clothing: Penguin, Abound, Theory, Slate&Stone, Tommy Bahama. If you don't like these brands you don't need to shop there.

[@katcheson82]

This right here. I went to the one in DTLA and they had only those brands pretty much. Was my first time in one and wasn’t impressed. Definitely won’t be going back.

[@bryanCJC2105]

I've always considered Nordstrom's full line stores to be for wealthy, older, and fashionably conservative executive or country club clients, not Neiman-Marcus rich or Saks Fifth Avenue stylish. They're more like a Burberry's type customer. They haven't changed much since the 80s. They were famous for having an absolutely no-questions-asked return policy. I don't know if they still do. As for Nordstrom Rack, the stuff in there just doesn't seem very "Nordstrom", in other words, you're not getting marked down or overstocks of merchandise from their mainline stores. You're getting stuff that can be found pretty much anywhere at those prices. I don't know who the Rack's customers are. Are they teen/young adult trend conscious, or adult fashion conscious, or the typical outlet store customer?

[@davis6123]

Their service in the full line stores is still top notch. The Nordstrom near me in Indy is full of friendly, helpful staff that remember you after just one or two interactions. Return policy is still incredibly generous

[@mascara1777]

I used to shop there around 2005 when I was in my 20's and they had a lot of trendy clothes. I only shopped during their summer clearance sales though.

[@hildaburken4805]

You mentioned no questions asked return policy and from the sound of it the exchanges were courteous . When I approached the shoe counter at Nordstrom recently on an early weekday afternoon (no customers) to return a pair of shoes, the salesman saw me and tried to vacate the premises. I caught him in time and said please don’t walk away, I have a return. He sheepishly then proceeded the return. I dress well but especially so when I need to return anything. The shoes/box were in pristine condition with all the tissue. I had the receipt in my smartphone. I had never set eyes on him as far as I can recall. Yes, this seldom happens but I don’t know why this happened. About two years ago I returned a coat because it was hugh on me, but this coat had been returned previously, so the tag was folded and wrinkled but still easily seen. OMG- the salesperson really made a BIG deal about this, pretending not so to see the label with the UPC code. “Oh did you buy this at Nordstroms”. I had the Nordstrom physical packing / return slip placed on the counter. She was holding up the coat and twirling the coat by its collar then checking the sleeves etc etc . I do not consider myself to be assertive/aggressive , but I had had enough. So I leaned over and “retrieved” the said item and “assisted” her in the return process. I did not say anything derogatory and I spoke w calm manner. Again the coat was in spotless wrinkle free condition and I had the receipt. I walk through the store as entry to the mall and see this lady sometimes 😑 🤨🤨🤨

[@jillcnc]

Perhaps people are getting wise to the reality that a designer name does not mean higher quality clothing, just an absurdly high price tag. What used to set Nordstrom apart, and I don't know if it's still true, is that their salespeople were on commission, and genuinely provided help. They used to have a reputation for having trained bra fitters, for example -- something no other department store had.

[@scottdavis_34]

Another reason I feel like Nordstrom is suffering is their Customer Service. I purchased a watch through their online website. It was a metal band and my concern was with sizing (links) but the website clearly stated I could bring the watch into their store after receiving it for sizing. I did receive the watch and when I went into the store's watch/jewelry counter I was told by the associate working the counter she didn't know how to remove the links and that I should go to another jewelry store and have them do it. Jewelry stores typically charge for that service if you did not make the purchase with them. I was clearly upset and immediately returned the watch on the spot. At no point did the associate offer to have a manager or other associate assist in the sizing either. I later wrote a letter to the store manager vowing I would never step foot in the store again (which to this day I haven't). To their credit I did receive a reply from the store manager apologizing but at that point they had already lost this and any future sales from me.

[@mascara1777]

That's because sales people are mostly part timers who they bounce around to different departments so they don't know the product. The days of skilled and knowledgeable sales people at department stores is gone.

[@scottdavis_34]

@@mascara1777 If you sell watches then you should be able to take a link or two out. C'mon now.

[@M50A1]

​@@scottdavis_34To be fair i don't think the watch wearer market is as big as it was 20-30 years ago. Anyone serious about a watch today probably knows how to fix some part of it themselves I'd think

[@kobcritic624]

I have crazy nostalgia for Nordstrom since it was always the store I walked through to enter my childhood mall. Plus it's the only department store I know of with its own coffee shop which is a huge plus in my book

[@Doreas13]

I was in New orleans 2 years ago and I went into Nordstrom Rack store. I came out with a pair of shoes for $40.00 that retail for $280. Thank God I had Gift cards. Since then I never went back into a another Nordstorms Rack store. I wasn't impress with the selection of clothes and other goods in the Rack store. The same merchandise that they have there. I could get at TJMAxx, Ross or even MArshall at a very low discount price. Nordstorms store is more for the upper class rich people. LOL!!! (In my opinion) Like movies stars, singers and other rich people. That's ok by me. Sooner or later I will find these same high end clothing at the Goodwill store. Thanks for sharing.

[@monicameza8944]

We used to shop at the one in Horton Plaza in San Diego until the whole mall closed. They had a small restaurant, piano was always classic and they had a whole fancy vibe . The one in La Jolla is there and there was another at Mission or Fashion Valley . Nordstrom's was amazing. Nostalgia. Nordstrom Rack is a great place to find good savings .

[@wolfgang1097]

The closest Nordstrom to me is an actual full-line Nordstrom located at the Gardens Mall located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, that opened in the spring of 2006. It is in the place of a former Burdines department store, which was one of the mall's three original anchors (the other two being Sears and the second Macy's location in South Florida) which ended up closing down in 2003 after fifteen years thanks to Macy's merging and taking over their stores. Since Macy's already had a location in the mall, the Burdines building was unfortunately demolished and built the Nordstrom in its place. I haven't been in a Nordstrom Rack before, but I have looked around in said full-line Nordstrom and I agree, their prices for the full-line locations are outrageous.

[@jbar_85]

I worked at Nordstrom in my early 20s. I learned so much about customer service. I wasn’t really the best sales person but in the women’s shoe department, you were able to be very successful with commissions. Back then and I still think they’re now, a family ran business. I hope they stay afloat but they need to stay in wealthy cities to stay in business because that price point calls for it. Their restaurants and cafes were always a nice perk! I love the fries with the olive dip! Amazing!

[@LC.1990]

I worked there, too. In womens clothing. And I'd often bring shoes to my customers in the fitting room. 😊

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

The 30 year old, never renovated Dillards at the Cool Springs Mall in Franklin TN looked 100x better than that Nordstrom's you visited. I've been to the Nordstorm's in Green Hills once, it was MUCH NICER than that dump, but man did it make me feel uncomfortable. Looking at the prices I realized this was a place where very vain, shallow, fragile ego types with FU money shopped. Dillards, its on the "slightly bougie" end of the scale, but everything they sell is NICE/QUALITY/WELL MADE. I always buy their house brand of underwear, socks, undershirts etc when they go on sale, they end up lasting for years unlike wal-mart or target crap. Also got 3 pairs of Levis in there last time for $40 a pair on sale.

[@rainydaze9318]

Nordstrom is SO pricey and ridiculous. I never shop at Ross or Nordstrom Rack because it's such a mess all the time, it makes it hard to find things. It's so much easier to shop Kohls or Target for this reason alone. Amazon has killed all the stores in the malls. A Mall is becoming a thing of the past.

[@jweezy15able]

It's crazy to me how many malls and indoor walking shops close here despite how hot it gets in the summer.

[@TOCC50]

Gabe Zolna lives in Gilbert

[@RampagingChipmunk]

I can vouch for that Abound flannel you found at the Rack location. I have a green and cream one and a purple and brown one that are the same design as that black and white one and I like them quite a lot. The Nordstrom Rack here in Columbia, SC is actually a lot nicer than the one you were in. It opened in 2017 in what used to be a Barnes & Noble which had to be significantly renovated after B&N left so it looks nice and fresh on the inside and the staff does a good job of keeping it organized and clean. Their decor section is also up near the front of the store and it thus is kept looking well maintained. Definitely nicer than the Ross that’s directly next to it.

[@cycadaacolyte6349]

Nordstrom Caffe had the Frapachinos before Starbucks adopted them. They still make better ones too, good memories (Dark Chocolate Icestorm with two add shots please).

[@kellyl7688]

I was in a wedding years ago, and the bridesmaids’ dresses were all from Norstrom. I can’t remember how much it cost, now. I love Nordstrom Rack! You can find some really good deals there.

[@gentensworld]

Full lines are such an interesting juxtaposition to the current fashion landscape imo. I've worked at both full line stores in Utah, and was employed with the company for over a year. A lot of times, you see people shopping there simply because they carry designer brands and "athleisure" stuff such as Nike and Adidas, which is always in fairly high demand. On one hand, the reason it feels like a "juxtaposition" to the fashion landscape is, it's not cheap or "renewed" stuff; which is what drives a lot of the current fashion market. In an era where teens and young adults from various social or economic classes are either thrifting or buying crap off Temu, you wonder who the department store market caters to. On the other hand, the "luxe" market is still somewhat alive, yet Nordstrom full lines, in some contexts, don't feel like they live up to the "luxe" image they want for themselves. I've been into places like Saks and Bloomingdale's when I visited California, and those places felt leagues ahead of Nordstrom. Then again, each Nordstrom carries what's popular locally. My first full line only carried certain brands deemed popular, and my second store only carried certain other brands. I think the lack of consistency is off-putting to those in the know, and it also makes it hard to walk in and pick something up; when you could just buy online instead. (P.S. I'm still a fairly loyal Nordstrom customer, and I don't necessarily hate the company at face-value. I enjoyed my time spent employed there, and I've bought a lot of stuff from them over time due to the relationships I've built and the rapport I've enjoyed sharing with my former coworkers).

[@gentensworld]

Also both of my stores had restaurants and I can confirm, they're pretty solid across the board. The eBar coffee shops are also a nice touch, and I think those add a fun bit of value you don't quite expect or see elsewhere.

[@davidpachecogarcia]

The one I really like shopping at is the dedicated men’s store in nyc. The local one for me is Dallas but it def doesn’t carry as many designer brands as the nyc one. Dallas one is ok but I find myself browsing that one less and less.

[@thismetalsky]

Nordstrom is a semi luxury store so those prices make sense. I have to tell you… it gets much more expensive than this. Do a video on Saks 5th Ave or Neiman Marcus if you want a real shock.

[@Hotlog69]

Nordstrom is on the same level of Neiman Marcus and Saks. Some locations look like a million bucks and some don't, like this one in the video.

[@HeelsHoseandskirt]

So I was hoping you were going to end up at the at that high end, white T shirts, final resting place, (where it sells for 9.99) at Last Chance. It starts at Nordstrom's in Scottsdale, moves down Camelback to the Nordstrom's rack at Town and Country. And then it goes across the street to Last Chance, down in the basement of the Former colonnade mall At 20th and Camelback. Ironically, in a subterranean space that used to hold a Ross department store.

[@cecilyerker]

I used to work at Nordstrom, they tried to steal my last paycheck claiming they overpaid me, but my dad just happened to be in the store the day I quit and he went with me into the HR department and got her to cut me my last paycheck.

[@Mummifications]

Yeah, they can't seriously be surprised that luxury brands are suffering during this economy. I have been completing returns at my mall regularly because people can't pay for tires or heating oil. They're definitely not spending $500 on an ugly scarf.

[@texasred2702]

When I was working at Boeing back in the day I dated a girl who worked there. According to her they had one of the most generous customer service policies of all stores--no questions asked basically. Aside from buying a tie once I never shopped there myself, it was intimidating though the salesmen were polite and friendly. Fast forward 30 years, my stepdaughter went to work at Nordstrom in Austin and we went by for a sale when she was there. Totally different vibe. Now they have basically the same return policies as everyone else and the place was no different from a Macy's but with a few departments with more expensive clothes. The customers got trashier and less honest and the store had to adapt.

[@marilynleslie472]

I bought my mother of the bride dress from Nordstrom and they were great. They had an in-house tailor who did alterations. I have also bought makeup there and occasionally shop their sales. I bought a pair of beautiful wool trousers that were light weight and draped beautifully. Now I find that many of the clothes they sell are not as well made, but that is true across the board with many retailers.

[@josephtafur]

The first Retail Archaeology video of 2024 Awesome

[@paulineweir6031]

I love Nordy …great customer service …and I was a manager for it as well …truly wonderful

[@Emilya-A]

Then there was the employment workshop after jail and the motivational guest speaker told us about taking his teen daughter to Nordstrom to buy her first bra, I think he was a single dad or something. I went to the bathroom to cry a lot during the workshop.

[@monicagfoeller2270]

The service and good were so great 20 years ago when I first shopped there. I moved cities and the local store was more middle tier market, and the offering seem slimmer with every year. Stopped shopping when they decided to discriminate eliminate Ivanka Trump’s line, even though her offerings were among the nicest things there. Last visit a couple of years ago, even less inventory appeared to be on offer.

[@nobodysummonsmegatron]

We have a Nordstrom Rack here in Albuquerque, but the last time I shopped in a full line Nordstrom's was about 20 years ago when I lived in the DC area and I was buying makeup which was comparably priced to makeup prices in a Dillard's or Macy's. I think I splurged on a $100 swimsuit there once. As the price tags indicated, Nordstrom is for people with plenty of disposable income and not us peasants. With inflation going the way it is, I'm not surprised they are seeing drops in sales. I've browsed the Nordstrom Rack here, but I can't recall ever buying anything. Nothing really interested me in there. Fun video. Brought back memories of browsing in fancier places.

[@loriegabidel]

I've only bought makeup at a regular Nordstrom, but I do love a good Nordstrom Rack. I've found the quality of the merchandise varies by location.

[@R32R38]

Having been in it a few times in the last year, the Nordstrom's at Roosevelt Field in Garden City NY seems to be spreading racks further apart, possibly as a way of covering up lack of inventory. It's still a nice store and has some reasonable stuff if you catch a sale.

[@cyberi4a]

I've purchase winter outwear at the Nordstroms in Alaska and an overcoat at the Nordstroms Rack near me. I'm sure others below have already said the Nordstroms Rack was originally their closeout store which like other closeout stores just become normal discount stores for the major retailers.

[@lilshaz8378]

I'm still upset they closed the Nordstrom in my city. I do The Rack for my shoes and some makeup now as they finally opened one up on my side of town.

[@Xeonerable]

It's sad to see department stores suffering like this, but when you showed the price tags on those Nordstrom clothes... holy hell fuck them they should close now. The sad part is those clothes are probably made by poor children in southern asian countries.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Yeah these days it's that, or the some middle eastern country, but In the late 70's my mother worked at a US owned clothing factory that mostly made shirts under contract, and what's crazy is they would make for example the same men's polo shirts with the same quality but one order they would sew on say an Izod logo with the croc on it, and it would go to J.B. Whites(now Dillards) it would sell for $25, or $30, but the next order would have a generic logo on it, and it would end up in say KMart for for $6, or $7 at most, with most people never knowing it. 🤣🤣

[@linnie3942]

Nordstrom near me got rid of the piano player and started blasting annoying music through speakers. The loud music has made it unpleasant to shop there. I tried ordering online (which saved me from impulse buys) but the clothing arrived extremely wrinkled and didn’t fit. I gave up shopping there both in person and online. I will go to the rack if it’s quiet and I can browse.

[@dtylice]

I worked at Nordstrom in 2012. Things were sliding when decisions were made to cut luxuries like the live piano player, many live plants, whiskey bar and shoe shine stand. People just don’t live that way anymore. Back then there were 4 high end stores to every Rack.

[@janetr5929]

I shop Nordstrom online often. The service is very good. I usually wait for sales. I haven’t been in the Scottsdale store for years because I hate driving there. It’s a bit too far. I do like Nordstrom though and hope they survive.

[@AbcDef-iq4no]

I remember in the 1960s and into the early 1970s that older department stores like the iconic Brandeis department store in downtown Omaha, Nebr. had a soda fountain on the main floor that sold beverages, shakes and ice cream. I always thought that was classy. And during that same time frame some "full line" Sears stores had their own restaurants, in addition to their own beauty parlors and watch repair shops. I realy miss Sears.

[@JuliaShalomJordan]

Whenever I need a shopping fix, 😅 stop by here. My wallet is grateful for this channel.😂

[@josephtafur]

4:23 a occasional staple of a Retail Archaeology video- "an abandoned empty fast food drink left randomly on a stote shelve"

[@maryjackson1194]

Here's a big difference: well-made clothes last a long, long time and still look respectable enough to wear to a proper office. The people I know who buy cheap clothes are always buying clothes. I don't buy new clothes every year. Literally: I can go more than a year without buying anything to wear. Also, I don't have very many articles of clothing. At the moment I have three pairs of jeans. The newest pair is several years old; I purchased the oldest pair in 2006; they were good enough quality that I held onto them while wide legs were out of style. On the other hand, my daughter's college roommate had 23 pairs of jeans...all cheap.

[@davis6123]

The best part of Nordstrom is by far their restaurants. They are often hidden gems and a bit pricey but the food is seriously excellent.

[@davidpachecogarcia]

The only Nordstrom I kept going back to was the men’s dedicated one in NYC. I believe billionaire boys club is one of Pharrell’s streetwear brands.

[@debbylou5729]

They’ve had hardly any stock for about the last 10 years. It’s hard to make money without product. They’re a lot different when you look at the product. Macys doesn’t carry very many brands and Penny’s is practically wear once and throw away. The rack just carries any brand. The stock doesn’t necessarily come from Nordstrom. It is like a TJ Maxx

[@ErinPlays]

I remember sometimes going to Nordstrom when I was a kid, and it felt very fancy. There was always a guy playing the piano and it just had a more upscale vibe. I haven't actually bought anything at a Nordstrom in years but I want to try their cafe!

[@dmissme.9683]

Great video, so sad to see where they have fallen. And I loved working for them

[@wrightmf]

My last trip to Nordstroms last year to get some slacks was disappointing, I was not real thrilled with the fit but I bought them anyway. However I rarely wear them and probably will donate to Salvation Army. Unlike in earlier years the quality is notably less. Then it seems mens pants are lower in the waist than in 1990s so the fit is not that great. Back in the days I shopped Nordstroms for suits and nice slacks as they cost more than Mens Wearhouse or Sears but quality is good. The sales staff in 1990s knew their stuff, one looked at me and able to see my suit size was 42 and my shirt size was 16, 32. Lately there was only one guy who had to manage entire mens dept. The slacks I bought in early 2000s still fit good though they are getting worn. I might take a look again this weekend but like many stores where they let the quality falter then if they go out of business then I'm not missing much. My last visit I looked at price tag for a tuxedo, $5000! Damn, my ballroom dance competition jacket and pants (American smooth, not standard, so it does not have tails) is about $2000 or $2500 these days. The fit is way better (custom tailored) and the material is very durable. Only disadvantage is the pants do not have pockets (bulges ruin the dance line).

[@sbclaridge]

2:05 that's one of the things I've noticed about Nordstrom in the past. They try to sell an expensive product, but often don't have enough of an expensive atmosphere, although I will admit that not all full-line Nordstrom locations tend to carry the super-high-end stuff like you encountered in Scottsdale. I'll note that some Nordstrom departments tend to have more of an upper-mid-range product, whereas others have a more luxury product. I'm less familiar with the menswear departments ever since my gender transition (even though I shopped with them pre-transition), but what I say about the departments does hold true for the womenswear departments in my experience. I haven't bought anything from Nordstrom since the COVID-19 pandemic; at least pre-COVID, you had departments focused on younger customers like BP. and Savvy, and these were definitely more mid-range in terms of the price point of the product they sold. It's understandable that a department focused on teenage girls (BP.) and college-age/young women (Savvy) isn't going to sell a crazy-expensive product. If I recall correctly, the price points I encountered in these departments were close to, or not too far above, what you might encounter in a mid-range store like a Macy's or a Dillard's. Once you step out of the departments focused on younger customers (or the "YC departments" as I heard Nordstrom staff refer to them), you'll definitely encounter sticker shock on some products. At least if I recall correctly, I've seen stuff at Nordstrom that wouldn't seem out-of-place in a Dillard's right next to something that would feel right at home in Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. I feel that Nordstrom wants to be both (at least the upper-end of) mid-range and luxury at the same time; the sticker shock of luxury products repel the upper-mid-range customer, but the luxury customer wants a high-end product and experience (and doesn't really want the distraction of mid-range product, nor stores that don't meet their standards). A broader product range can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Speaking of not having bought anything from Nordstrom since the pandemic, I will say it was actually in 2020 when my local full-line Nordstrom (North East Mall, Hurst, TX) closed down. That particular location was already in decline before COVID; the DFW area still has three full-line Nordstrom locations, but the one at NorthPark Center carries the most high-end products. They removed an entire floor from the Galleria Dallas location during COVID (it used to have three floors, now it only has two); in my experience, the three-story stores tend to carry the super-high-end products, but less so the two-story stores like Stonebriar Centre (and the former Hurst store). I do wonder whether some of our Nordstrom locations here in DFW cut back on the super-high-end stuff because they don't seek to directly compete on Neiman Marcus' home turf (Nordstrom was never as high-end as the latter to begin with, though). Maybe I ought to visit Seattle sometime, Nordstrom's home turf, where I'm pretty sure Nordstrom is now the only higher-end store of their kind, and see if their product assortment there trends more towards the high-end. Then again, at least in my experience, Nordstrom NorthPark seems appropriately high-end in the departments where high-end product is expected (that is, outside the "YC departments").

[@IrishAnnie]

I’ve never seen “Clearance” crap in the aisles like Walmart.

[@sokiecribbs5881]

Toys at a Nordstrom?! I’ve never seen that inside a Nordstrom- looks exactly like a Macy’s. The one here at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA would never look like that yet alone have a toy dept.

[@gp.5989]

South Coast is a whole different world. With Laguna, Newport, and the other surrounding towns, there's some serious money that shops there.

[@sokiecribbs5881]

@@gp.5989 I agree- it caters to a very specific clientele. It’s been my “home mall” for Decades. Just weird seeing a toy section in a Nordstrom.

[@PixelatedH2O]

My only major experience inside a Nordstrom was walking through to reach the mall too. I did once get a terrible tea from their "e-bar" though, but that was right outside the store. I've gotten a few discounted clothes from Nordstrom Rack however.

[@ScuzzyBeta]

I'd love to see you do a video on Burlington, a location near me moved into a nicer building recently and like a week after it's grand reopening it was already messy and cluttered as hell

[@GTFourty]

I used to work somewhere close to a Nordstrom- when I felt like treating myself on payday I would go up to the restaurant for lunch! I loved their fries and soup!

[@BrazenBull001]

Yes those white shirts cost you $100. And those are white shirts of a higher quality than you have ever experienced firsthand.

[@RetailArchaeology]

I mean I kind of experienced it first hand, I did touch it amd feel it quite a bit. It didn't feel any different than shirts at Target or JCPenney. It felt like a cheap cotton t-shirt.

[@ljohnson1908]

I’ve never seen a Nordstrom in such a state. The locations near me are beautifully keep and exude luxury.

[@kristyevans3066]

Thank you for this video. Presentation of merchandise is key in increasing sales. No customer wants to shop at a store where clothes are on the floor that are poorly displayed. Maintaining sufficient staff to help keep the store clean ( proper display of merchandise) is important. Believe it or not, shoppers want to shop in a store that is visually appealing. Who wants purchase items that are on the floor?

[@frostanimate]

Nordstrom only has one store in Arizona but in the Chicago area there’s like 5.

[@LatinaChef1986]

There’s a Nordstrom Rack in northwestern Indiana in Schererville. I’ve been to one Nordstrom in Schaumburg, Illinois (suburb of Chicago).

[@TeaCupCracked]

I could argue, as someone who is middle-age now but grew up visiting Nordstroms throughout my life, that the company has made several distinctly bad choices in the last 5-10 years. Basically, Nordstroms use to be the high-end, luxury version of the American department store. It would co-exist nearby a Macy's or JCPenny's and the notion was it served two main purposes; 1) As the go-to department store for higher-bracket income people and 2) As the luxury splurge option for working-class and middle-class people. Maybe you always shopped at Macy's, but today you got a pay-raise so you're going to Nordstroms to by a nice designer handbag. Or, say, the bridge and groom are getting treated to the nicer bridal/wedding options at Nordstroms, while the wedding party will get their outfits at Macy's. Last example would be the office clerk shops at Macy's for his suit, but the upper management goes to Nordstrom. It was like part of the sliding scale of retail options, sitting at that higher-end when you needed it, or your lifestyle dictated it was just your baseline/default go-to. Now, years later, the problem I see as a consumer is that Nordstroms decided to "give up" their position as the luxury / high-end option and is literally now trying to compete with Macy's for business. That is, Nordstrom's prices are still in the high bracket, but the type of clothing they have to offer has become very, very casual and mainstream. I use to feel motivated to check Nordstroms to see what alternatives I could go for, if I felt like the difference made enough sense for the price... But now stylistically it's become too similar to other department stores and I feel like it's not being competitive; it's just offering me a very similar sweat shirt, of similar materials, but at a 100 USD increase... And that's not incentivizing; if I am going to spend more, I want to see that value of going above and beyond... Not just "leather... but more expensive" and so on.

[@Polemodrome]

I think the distinction between Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, is how the latter branch does destock deals on older collections and models. Also, it precisely helps to lower the price tag, when the replenishment of supplies is executed more liberally. At any rate, that's how the discount supermakets I know pull it, as items are just plainly stocked on shelves, as you'd see on a DIY warehouse. It takes less time and effort, therefore the cost is lower.

[@dougmartin7129]

In the 80s 90s I spent quite alot of money in Nordstrom. But I haven’t been to one or any department store since about 2000 or so. Suddenly I just lost interest.

[@djm5k]

I was recently in Santa Barbara California, and noticed that the Nordstrom in that town had closed and the entire interior of the store had been totally gutted. Apparently this store closed a couple years ago. The Macy’s in the same mall had closed way before the pandemic. However, there is another Macy’s in a mall on the north end of Santa Barbara.

[@aprilremegi5974]

You can't compare the two different flannel shirts, one from Nordstrom and one from the Rack because the quality, material, etc. is not the same.

[@1971ChevelleSS]

They we're way too expensive completely disconnected from the Canadian market. Nordstrom Rack had potential but they didn't seize it. They hid in only the biggest cities.

[@David-nx2vm]

I just bought a suit at Nordstrom at La Cantera in San Antonio. Professional staff, great customer service, free alterations too. Great experience. Price was right - originally $2000, on sale for $695. We always get a drink and a pastry at the e-bar. Our Nordstrom is fine.

[@IamSnowbird]

The thing I liked about Nordstrom was although they carried luxury items they also had more reasonably priced things as well.

[@tabletbooks4967]

The expensive plain shirts are John Elliott, which specializes in very high end, high quality basics - that are also very expensive, that's not Nordstrom's marking it up. The big problem, as others have pointed out, is that the part of the store that sells such items should have the appropriate ambience - spare, refined, elegant, carefully presented - rather than a bunch of stuff on a rack like it's a Marshall's, which makes the price feel like a con. Arguably their greatest competition is thrift stores and re-seller sites which will feature Nordstrom brands, including John Elliott, at a fraction of the price.

[@YoBoyMarcus]

All the Nordstrom stores closed last year in Canada. I'm surprised it lasted that long. Nobody can afford that sh*t.

[@AtariTheAnimator]

There used to be one at my local mall until it closed during the pandemic. The only Nordstrom in my state is the one in this video.