Nordstrom Reports August 2002 Sales

SEATTLE, Sep 4, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $362.0 million for the four-week period ending August 31, 2002, an increase of 4.0 percent compared to sales of $348.0 million for the four-week period ending September 1, 2001. Same-store sales increased 0.2 percent.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO )

For the full month, same-store sales in full-line stores increased in the Central States geographic region, and decreased in the Northwest, Southwest and East Coast regions. By merchandise division, same-store sales increased in the Bridge, Designer and Contemporary segments of Women's Apparel, as well as Cosmetics, Accessories, Women's Active Wear and Kid's Wear.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $3.3 billion increased 4.8 percent compared to 2001 year-to-date sales of $3.2 billion. Year-to-date same-store sales increased 0.3 percent.

FUTURE REPORTING DATES

Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is provided in the table below. Please note that beginning in fiscal 2002 (February), sales are presented and reported according to the 4-5-4 retail calendar, after the market close, on the Wednesday before Retail Sales Day. Quarterly financial results will continue to be reported on a calendar basis.

     September Sales Release       Wed., October 9, 2002
     October Sales Release         Wed., November 6, 2002
     Third Quarter Earnings        Tues., November 19, 2002
     November Sales Release        Wed., December 4, 2002

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 137 US stores located in 26 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 83 full-line stores, 48 Nordstrom Racks, four Faconnable boutiques, one free-standing shoe store, and one clearance store. Nordstrom also operates 23 international Faconnable boutiques, primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom Direct serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail catalogs.

    SALES SUMMARY                Aug.         Aug.       YTD           YTD
    (unaudited;                  2002         2001       2002         2001
     $ in millions)

    Total sales                 $362.0        $348.0   $3,305.9     $3,155.5
    Total sales percentage
     change                       4.0%        (8.4%)       4.8%         6.0%

    Same-store sales
     percentage change
      Full-line stores          (0.8%)       (15.3%)     (0.3%)       (0.7%)
      Rack and other stores       6.9%        (9.6%)       5.5%       (4.5%)
      All stores                  0.2%       (14.7%)       0.3%       (1.0%)
    Number of stores
     (as of August 31)
      Full-line                     83            77
      Rack and other                54            46
      International
       Faconnable boutiques         23            21
      Total                        160           144
    Gross square footage
     (as of August 31)      17,488,000    16,343,000

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties, including anticipated store openings and distribution channels, planned capital expenditures, and trends in company operations. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the company's ability to source and manage appropriate inventory, predict fashion trends and consumer apparel buying patterns, and control costs and expenses; weather conditions; hazards of nature such as earthquakes and floods; trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs; employee relations; the company's ability to continue its expansion plans; and the impact of economic and competitive market forces, including the effects of terrorist activity on the company, its customers and the industry. The company's SEC reports may contain other information on these and other factors, which could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking information we may provide.

    MEDIA CONTACT:
     Shasha Richardson
     Nordstrom, Inc.
     206-373-3038
    INVESTOR CONTACT:
     Stephanie Allen
     Nordstrom, Inc.
     206-303-3262

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.

CONTACT:          media, Shasha Richardson, +1-206-373-3038, or investors,
                  Stephanie Allen, +1-206-303-3262, both of Nordstrom, Inc.
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URL:              http://www.nordstrom.com
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