Nordstrom Reports July 2002 Sales

SEATTLE, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $632.0 million for the four-week period ending August 3, 2002, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to sales of $587.7 million for the four-week period ending August 4, 2001. Company same-store sales increased 1.9 percent.

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

July same-store sales were positively impacted by the Anniversary sale event, which ran between July 19 and August 4. During that timeframe, same-store sales in full-line stores increased 2.5 percent compared to the same sale event period in 2001 (July 20-August 5).

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

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales(1) of $1.66 billion increased 7.0 percent compared to 2001 quarter-to-date sales(1) of $1.55 billion. Quarter- to-date same-store sales increased 2.2 percent.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $2.94 billion increased 4.8 percent compared to 2001 year-to-date sales of $2.81 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.

     Second Quarter Earnings  Wed., August 14, 2002
     August Sales Release     Wed., September 4, 2002
     September Sales Release  Wed., October 9, 2002
     October Sales Release    Wed., November 6, 2002

Third Quarter Earnings Tues., November 19, 2002

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 136 US stores located in 26 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 83 full-line stores, 47 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 serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail catalogs.

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

     Total sales              $632.0        $587.7     $2,943.0    $2,807.4
     Total sales percentage
      change                    7.5%         19.7%         4.8%        8.1%

     Same-store sales
      percentage change
      Full-line stores          1.9%         14.3%       (0.2%)        1.4%
      Rack and other stores     1.2%          6.1%         5.2%      (3.7%)

     All stores                 1.9%         13.7%         0.3%        0.9%
     Number of stores
      (as of July 31)
      Full-line                   83            77
      Rack and other              53            45
      International
       Faconnable boutiques       23            21
      Total                      159           143
     Gross square footage
      (as of July 31)     17,455,000    16,307,000

(1) Nordstrom reports monthly sales according to the 4-5-4 Retail

         Calendar.  The Company reports quarterly financial results on a
         calendar basis.  Total preliminary sales for second quarter 2002 and
         2001 were $1.66 billion and $1.55 billion, respectively, on a
         calendar basis.

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 recent 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.

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.

-0- 08/07/2002

/CONTACT: media, Brooke White, +1-206-373-3030, or investors, Stephanie Allen, +1-206-303-3262, both of Nordstrom, Inc./

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