Nordstrom

Nordstrom

Summary

Nordstrom Inc. is one of the world's leading apparel and shoe retailer. Specializing in higher end fashion lines, Nordstrom operates with 193 stores located in 28 states. Nordstrom Inc was founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom, a Swedish-born businessman who struck gold in Alaska in 1897. Mr. Nordstrom went into partnership with Carl Wallin, a native to Alaska. The two partners opened a shoe store in Seattle, Washington. John W. Nordstrom wanted to provide exceptional service, selection, quality, and value to consumers. Nearly after 100 years, Nordstrom's reputation for providing exceptional service, selection, quality, and value remains unchanged. Operating 114 physical stores, 76 Racks, two boutiques and one clearance store, Nordstrom continues its quest for achievement. In 1999, Nordstrom launched its online presence to service its customers.

Layouts

Nordstrom has 114 full retail stores, 76 Rack stores, two boutiques and one clearance store. Each layout is different and has its own unique depending upon what type of store (retail, rack, boutique, and clearance center). The Nordstrom full retail store uses a spinal layout, meaning "a single main aisle runs from the front to the back of the store, transporting customers in both directions, and where on either side of the spine, merchandise departments using either a free-flow or grid pattern branch off toward the back walls. The Nordstrom Clearance store uses the free-flow layout. The free-flow layout allows "fixtures and merchandise grouped into free-flowing patterns on the sales floor." The Nordstrom Rack stores use a grid layout, meaning "the counters and fixtures are placed in long rows throughout the store." Lastly, a loop layout is used for the two Nordstrom boutique stores. The loop layout is where "a major customer aisle begins at the entrance, loops through the store and then returns the customer to the front of the store." Nordstrom has an online presence, in which...