topic Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales in Fashion

Nordstrom's Declining Sales

handygal2 — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:42:53 GMT

According to this article, high-end shoppers are becoming increasingly unwilling to pay full price for consumer goods. Also, people are spending more on big-ticket items, and travel and dining; and less on clothing and accessories.

http://www.businessinsider.com/nordstrom-sales-decline-signals-wealthy-spending-pullback-2016-5

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

GSPgirl — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:47:14 GMT

That's why they have more sales than they used to. When I was growing up Nordstrom never had sales.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

colliegirls — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:50:54 GMT

Unless I need an item immediately for some reason, I never pay full price for clothing.

Nordstroms has such wonderful customer service, I shop their sales in the store and online.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Vivian — Sat, 14 May 2016 11:51:11 GMT

Given how people show up at hotels, restaurants, the airport, etc., I can definitely believe they are spending more on dining out and travel than on clothes.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

kate2357 — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:05:37 GMT

Nordstroms use to be where I bought 90% of my clothes. They had outstanding customer service and fun clothes to choose from. They had two big sales events I always looked forward to and I spent a LOT of money during the sales. The clothes they had were quality and held up well.

I still have quite a few linen items that are timeless styles I purchased, a couple of great LBD's, cashemere sweaters and a couple of silk blouses I still wear from time to time. But these days, my life is more casual and my city, Seattle is more casual than in the '90's when I was buying from Nordies.

I also don't like to pay as much for clothing because the quality fabrics just don't seem to be offered. :::shrug:::: Could be that I just have other things I like spending money on besides clothes..like trips/vacations. These days I am more about experiences vs spending money on things.

But I do hope that Nodies can find a way to attract customers ... they do employ a lot of folks .. and I would hate to see them go under.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

winamac1 — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:11:05 GMT

@handygal2 wrote:
According to this article, high-end shoppers are becoming increasingly unwilling to pay full price for consumer goods. Also, people are spending more on big-ticket items, and travel and dining; and less on clothing and accessories.

http://www.businessinsider.com/nordstrom-sales-decline-signals-wealthy-spending-pullback-2016-5

This is, unfortunately, not surprising.

People are shopping online a lot and looking for great sales for everything they purchase. Even though Nordstrom matches sale prices, many don't know that. The perception of Nordstrom is that they are expensive and don't have sales often.

I, too, see sales far more often at Nordstrom than I used to, but the sales are often on items that I'm not intersted in.

I do the majority of my Nordstrom shopping during the Anniversary sale. I spend too much then, but the items are always ones I like and new styles.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

winamac1 — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:12:03 GMT

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
Given how people show up at hotels, restaurants, the airport, etc., I can definitely believe they are spending more on dining out and travel than on clothes.

And hotel rates are escalating. I am paying $400 a night for a Residence Inn in Boston in a few months. That is ABSURD. It's not a Ritz or 4 Season. Heck... it's a basic Marriott!

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Deanie — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:35:28 GMT

They have the best customer service ever. However, all retailers are taking a big hit. Look at the stats on Walmart. Macys etc. It is a sign of the times. Too many people are out of work to sustain a consumptive lifestyle. That being said, Nordies offers free shipping and returns. Amazon does not unless you purchase their Prime, and, I find it very difficult to shop for items that require a fit online.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Deanie — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:39:23 GMT

Oh, and, I agree with you regarding how people dress . If one travels to place outside the US, you see everyone looking very smart. If I am not mistaken, other countries spend less on the quantity of their clothes but more on the quality.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

sueeich — Sat, 14 May 2016 12:51:47 GMT

I live in Jacksonville, Florida and we seem to be the last place to get more high end stores. We finally had our first Nordstroms open here a little over a year ago. It's a beautiful store architectual-wise, but it actually doesn't have too much in it. I love MZ Wallace handbags and you can only buy them directly from the MZ Wallace website or at Nordstroms, plus I think they have one store in NYC. Our Nordstrom doesn't carry this line. I wear a size 11 in shoes and they never seem to carry anything in a size 11. I'd shop there more often if they actually had what I needed. Inventory is very limited so I don't actually shop there that much. I'm wondering if they are scaling back their stores and focusing more on web sales?

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Boehm Collector — Sat, 14 May 2016 13:01:28 GMT

@Deanie wrote:
Oh, and, I agree with you regarding how people dress . If one travels to place outside the US, you see everyone looking very smart. If I am not mistaken, other countries spend less on the quantity of their clothes but more on the quality.

I agree @Deanie. I have relatives in Italy and try to visit every few years. They definitely dress well. And they, without a doubt, value quality over quantity.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

staciesmom — Sat, 14 May 2016 13:59:04 GMT

@Deanie wrote:
Oh, and, I agree with you regarding how people dress . If one travels to place outside the US, you see everyone looking very smart. If I am not mistaken, other countries spend less on the quantity of their clothes but more on the quality.

DD and I were at an upscale shopping mall last Saturday, and made the comment about how some people dress. We weren't being unkind, but honestly I wonder if people look in a mirror before they leave the house. A friend of mine has a daughter who resides in Germany, and she always says that the people there don't go out in public in sloppy clothing, nor do they venture out in clothes that are obviously too small or in pajama pants. Last Sunday DH and I went to breakfast and a woman walked in wearing pajama pants with the Mountain Dew logo all over them. I really am happy we don't feel we have to dress formally as in years gone by, but I think we've gone too far the other way.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

ROMARY — Sat, 14 May 2016 14:42:27 GMT

Our local restaurants are packed (underline packed) each and every day, all day long. Parking lots seem to be filled by 10am at our local mall. I'm guessing folks are having breakfast out, too. ............. p.s. Anybody remember a time when sitting on a plane was like 'sitting in our livingroom'? Everyone well-dressed, and quiet. Lots of space in-between seats, etc. Oh, and the flights were smooth, calm. No rattles and shakes. ............ 'What a difference decades make'.......

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

staciesmom — Sat, 14 May 2016 14:40:54 GMT

ITA - The malls and restaurants in our area are very busy, especially the restaurants, people aren't interested in cooking at home evidently. Friends of ours eat out every night, they are childless and financially stable, and have done this for years. On the weekends they usually have lunch out also.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

ROMARY — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:02:49 GMT

'I won't say who'......but, a know a couple of families (well, only one now; the other one moved) who decide they're hungry at around 10:30 pm and then all 'take off' for burgers, etc. I'd say every night (if not, then almost every night). I beleive it's because they are busy with kids' nightly games, etc. and by the time they arrive home (late), they all finally discover that they hadn't eaten dinner. Or something similar. They must be very hungry, as they throw their empty milkshake and soda cups on their front lawn, along with empty burger/fry wrappers/containers, etc. Too hungry to wait until they get home, lol.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Shelbelle — Sat, 14 May 2016 14:49:06 GMT

Macy's is in same boat, declining sales, mismanaged stores and their stock has plummeted down to nothing.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

bri20 — Sat, 14 May 2016 14:54:39 GMT

I think all retail is in trouble.

I'd rather travel than have a closet full of clothes I don't wear. LOL

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

Trinity11 — Sat, 14 May 2016 15:00:18 GMT

@staciesmom wrote:
@Deanie wrote:
Oh, and, I agree with you regarding how people dress . If one travels to place outside the US, you see everyone looking very smart. If I am not mistaken, other countries spend less on the quantity of their clothes but more on the quality.
DD and I were at an upscale shopping mall last Saturday, and made the comment about how some people dress. We weren't being unkind, but honestly I wonder if people look in a mirror before they leave the house. A friend of mine has a daughter who resides in Germany, and she always says that the people there don't go out in public in sloppy clothing, nor do they venture out in clothes that are obviously too small or in pajama pants. Last Sunday DH and I went to breakfast and a woman walked in wearing pajama pants with the Mountain Dew logo all over them. I really am happy we don't feel we have to dress formally as in years gone by, but I think we've gone too far the other way.

Very well said and I think we definitely have gone too far. It is beginning to be rare seeing a very well dressed woman. I like the idea of casual attire but it should be clean and well pressed.. not look like something you would wear to scrub the kitchen floor in.

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

ROMARY — Sat, 14 May 2016 15:10:35 GMT

Dare I say: 'Way, way too tight' around here.........

Re: Nordstrom's Declining Sales

HB glamma — Sat, 14 May 2016 15:16:56 GMT

Part of the problem is due to their decline in quality high-end merchandise.

For the past 10 yrs there has been a steady cheapening of their clothing. Their house-brands tend to look like nothing better than you'd find at Kohls or the Rack. They do have great selections of designer labels, but what I was always shopping for was high quality middle of the road clothes that didn't break the bank. They used to meet that expectation.

Even at their much loved Anniversary sales over the past years, they have been bringing in "special" merchandise for the sales. No longer the high quality items that were truly on sale.

I rarely shop here anymore, but it's also partly due to retiring and needing much less. I have found Chicos clothing has become my go-to.