Nordstrom Reports October 2002 Sales

SEATTLE, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $425.8 million for the four-week period ending November 2, 2002, an increase of 12.8 percent compared to sales of $377.4 million for the four-week period ending November 3, 2001. Company same-store sales increased 9.6 percent.

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

For the full month, same-store sales in full-line stores increased in all geographic regions and all merchandise divisions.

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales(1) of $1.29 billion increased 7.8 percent compared to 2001 quarter-to-date sales(1) of $1.20 billion. Quarter-to-date same-store sales(1) increased 3.7 percent.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $4.24 billion increased 5.7 percent compared to 2001 year-to-date sales of $4.01 billion. Year-to-date same-store sales increased 1.3 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.

               Third Quarter Earnings        Tues., November 19, 2002
               November Sales Release        Wed., December 4, 2002
               December Sales Release        Wed., January 8, 2003
               January Sales Release         Wed., February 5, 2003
               Fourth Quarter Earnings       Thurs., February 20, 2003

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 143 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 88 full-line stores, 48 Nordstrom Racks, five 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
     (unaudited; $            Oct.           Oct.         YTD          YTD
      in millions)           2002            2001        2002          2001

     Total sales           $425.8           $377.4   $4,237.2      $4,007.4
     Total sales
      percentage change     12.8%           (5.5%)       5.7%          3.9%

     Same-store sales
      percentage change
      Full-line stores       8.7%           (8.7%)       0.6%        (1.9%)
      Rack and other
       stores               17.1%           (9.6%)       7.4%        (5.9%)
      All stores             9.6%           (8.8%)       1.3%        (2.3%)
     Number of stores
      (as of November 2)
      Full-line                88               80
      Rack and other           55               51
      International
       Faconnable boutiques    23               22
      Total                   166              153
     Gross square
      footage (as of
      November 2)      18,428,000       16,998,000

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

         Calendar. The Company reports quarterly financial results on a
         calendar basis. Preliminary total sales for third quarter 2002 and
         2001 were $1.32 billion and $1.24 billion, respectively, on a
         calendar basis. Preliminary same-store sales were 2.6% 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 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- 11/06/2002

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

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