topic Re: Local Nordstrom is closing. in Community Chat

Local Nordstrom is closing.

traveler — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 19:59:02 GMT

Anchorage, Alaska. They are an anchor store in big mall. They Nordstrom Rack and online will be enough. What a surprise.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

FastDogWalker2 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:33:39 GMT

The Nordstrom store in Norfolk VA has closed too. There is still a Nordstrom outlet in VA Beach. I don't think the Norfolk store got much traffic.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Twoaces — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:42:16 GMT

I fear this will happen to my local Nordstrom soon, too. I’ve been a loyal customer since that store was built around 30 years ago. While I was working I bought loads of things, including many designer fashions. Now with a simpler life I just don’t need or buy as much, but Nordstrom is still my go to shop. Now...here what’s crazy. A few days ago I received a letter saying that since I don’t spend as much they are lowering my credit limit. That is so counterproductive for them. I have always paid in full and on time whenever I have a balance, so clearly I’m not a risk. So they are, in effect, saying that should I feel like spending a few thousand in a given month, I wouldn’t be allowed to do so. Doesn’t that seem goofy to you? Sure doesn’t feel like an incentive to shop more, nor does it make me feel like I am valued as a customer. I shared these thoughts with a customer service rep. Btw...I wasnt asking to have the limit raised, I just wanted to express how counterproductive their decision seems to be. They are asking for their own demise.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

ellaphant — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:46:59 GMT

Companies never like when you pay in full! They want the interest in long, drawn out payments!

Department stores are on the way out. May keep a selct amount in busy urban areas.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

geezerette — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:55:16 GMT

@Twoaces wrote:
I fear this will happen to my local Nordstrom soon, too. I’ve been a loyal customer since that store was built around 30 years ago. While I was working I bought loads of things, including many designer fashions. Now with a simpler life I just don’t need or buy as much, but Nordstrom is still my go to shop. Now...here what’s crazy. A few days ago I received a letter saying that since I don’t spend as much they are lowering my credit limit. That is so counterproductive for them. I have always paid in full and on time whenever I have a balance, so clearly I’m not a risk. So they are, in effect, saying that should I feel like spending a few thousand in a given month, I wouldn’t be allowed to do so. Doesn’t that seem goofy to you? Sure doesn’t feel like an incentive to shop more, nor does it make me feel like I am valued as a customer. I shared these thoughts with a customer service rep. Btw...I wasnt asking to have the limit raised, I just wanted to express how counterproductive their decision seems to be. They are asking for their own demise.

@Twoaces

It isn’t goofy or counterproductive for them. Your credit limit is a liability they have to carry on their books—whether you use the full amount or not. And since you pay your balance in full, they are not making any interest money on you. You aren’t using the limit they’ve given you, so they figure that it won’t impede your buying. By lowering your credit limit, it lowers their liability. Makes their finances look better.

Companies periodically review their customer accounts. It isn’t a reflection on you. I’m sure they did this to other accounts that have activity like yours. However, this is often a step that a company with financial problems will take. I don’t know any details of Nordstrom’s finances, just saying that’s what other companies have done.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

ILTH — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:09:34 GMT

Men's Nordstrom opened recently here. Manhattan flagship will open across the street from it in October.

I do feel lucky that we still have Macy's and Bloomingdales here, too.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Lilysmom — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:11:31 GMT

@traveler , the Anchorage Nordstrom’s was the first Nordstrom’s I ever shopped at in the late 1980’s. I loved it. I was in Alaska on business. I remember exactly what I bought...two dresses suitable for upscale business evenings. LM

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

LuvmyLab — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:15:10 GMT

Our local Nordstrom closed here years ago. Maybe it's a sign of the times to come. So many stores are closing, Payless Shoe Source recently closed all it's stores also and so many others.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Twoaces — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:17:01 GMT

Interesting for you to explain that because I brought up that EXACT possibility with the CR rep. He avoided the question, but it sounds like you have good insight, and it really is the only rationale explanation. And, while it may help their books, it still doesn’t inspire my loyalty.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

ValuSkr — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:21:46 GMT

One reason given for the Anchorage closing, besides the usual "shift to online sales," is demographics. Thay say oil companies - and their "multiple layers of well-paid executives" - have downsized or left Anchorage in the last twenty-five years.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Wsmom — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:28:58 GMT

Our local Nordstrom is in a well-off area but has terrible buyers. The clothes are targeted to no older than 25. Very small selection for adult women who don't want their cracks hanging out or shredded jeans or crop tops or their bras hanging out...you know what I mean. One problem is because they have zip, women shop online. As a result, that type of clothes aren't selling in store so they don't carry it. One of the sales women I work with was telling me if you ever see something online, let us order it for you so that it shows as something that will sell at this store. Which in theory is wonderful; in reality, why would I shop online, then go to the store to have them order it. I went to buy an Eileen Fisher shirt the other day. The woman at the register was on the phone so fortunately someone had left a dressing room door open so I could try it on. Liked it so went to the register. Again, she was on the phone conducting personal business. Setting up a bunch of appointments. She wouldn't even look up at me. A simple acknowledgement or a look with her finger up to say give me a minute, anything. But nope, refused to even look up and acknowledge me. She was faced my direction, leaning on her side of the counter, I was on mine. I waited for a bit then left it there and turned around and walked away. Yes, I could have gone to the other side of the store to try to find someone else, but I didn't. I came home and ordered it.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

DiAnne — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:43:22 GMT

Nordstrom kind of lost me when the younger generation took over. Many things changed including the clothing they carry. I still shop there but not as much as I used to.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

kaydee50 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 21:54:00 GMT

We have a Nordstrom's literally acros the street from me. I have never bought anything there and rarely even look at what they offer. I walk through it on my way to the mall's fast food court--LOL!!

Their items seem too trendy for me and out of my price range so I wouldn't miss them if they closed, which given the location, is unlikely.

Now if Macy's or Marshall's closed, that would be a much different story for me.

BTW I also have a Nordstrom's Rack nearby and that store is a mess--crowded and disorganized but always crowded.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

colliemom4 — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 22:05:32 GMT

My Nordstrom Rack is a joke. When it first opened I found so many things. Now it's practically empty. We do have a regular Nordstrom store but it's not very close to where I live.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

traveler — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 23:09:06 GMT

Nordstrom was the only place Tricare would authorize for mastectomy bras. Any other place is out of pocket.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

deedledeedeedle — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 00:39:33 GMT

A newer Nordies near me got the axe, too.

Thank goodness I have another store in my area.

I really love Nordstrom.

dee

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

golding76 — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 03:42:10 GMT

I am sad to see so many stores close their doors. My lament is a familiar one here, but I see this as something more than the weaker business folding. There is a greater underlying threat to our economy and our way of life.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Katcat1 — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 04:20:01 GMT

Could we be on the way to another Recession? So many large retail/discount stores are closing stores. I am so glad my Nordstrom is still going strong. It is always busy but I do more and more shopping online with Nordstrom.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

gardenman — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:23:33 GMT

@Katcat1 wrote:
Could we be on the way to another Recession? So many large retail/discount stores are closing stores. I am so glad my Nordstrom is still going strong. It is always busy but I do more and more shopping online with Nordstrom.

It's more a change in shopping habits than a pending recession. Online sales keep growing, and growing fast. Department stores became too similar. Local business taxes keep rising. Lots of places are taxed based on the square footage of retail space and big stores get taxed a lot simply because they're big. Stores need a certain volume of sales to be able to afford to stay in business and getting that volume of sales is challenging with the competition these days.

The retail environment has always been a bit brutal and Darwinian, but in recent years even the fittest stores have had a hard time surviving. Cities/towns tend to tax businesses since the businesses, unlike the residents, have no voting power. Instead of raising property taxes on homeowners/voters they raise the business tax and ultimately drive the businesses away creating even a greater need to raise more taxes. If you're an Apple store doing $5,000+ per year per square foot, the taxes aren't really an issue. If you're a store operating on a lower profit margin with fewer sales (as most are) the tax burden can become unbearable.

Re: Local Nordstrom is closing.

Lilysmom — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:48:50 GMT

@gardenman , another observation I would make is that people in the business community now dress in a much more casual attire than when I held a senior management position. I always wore suits. Not many do that anymore.

I can remember my company sending me on a corporate executive development program for six weeks. Back to school time where we wore casual dress. I had to go shopping for casual clothes as most of my wardrobe was business. LM