Nordstrom Reports September 2002 Sales

SEATTLE, Oct 09, 2002 /PRNewsire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $505.9 million for the five-week period ending October 5, 2002, an increase of 6.6 percent compared to sales of $474.8 million for the five-week period ending October 6, 2001. Company same-store sales increased 1.7 percent.

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

The company's sales performance increased during the period immediately following September 11 but declined later in the month as it did not repeat the Fall Sale event that occurred in 2001 from September 28 through October 8.

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

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales of $0.87 billion increased 5.4 percent compared to 2001 quarter-to-date sales of $0.82 billion. Quarter-to-date same-store sales increased 1.0 percent.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $3.81 billion increased 5.0 percent compared to 2001 year-to-date sales of $3.63 billion. Year-to-date same-store sales increased 0.5 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.

     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 141 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 86 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                      Sept.       Sept.    YTD       YTD
     (unaudited; $ in millions)         2002        2001     2002      2001

    Total sales                        $505.9      $474.8  $3,811.8  $3,630.2
    Total sales percentage change        6.6%       (1.2%)     5.0%      5.0%

    Same-store sales percentage change
      Full-line stores                   0.5%       (4.4%)   (0.2%)     (1.2%)
      Rack and other stores             11.8%      (11.7%)    6.3%      (5.5%)
      All stores                         1.7%       (5.2%)    0.5%      (1.6%)
    Number of stores (as of October 9)
      Full-line                            86          79
      Rack and other                       55          47
      International Faconnable boutiques   23          22
      Total                               164         148
    Gross square footage
     (as of October 9)             18,047,000  16,723,000

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:
     Rob Campbell
     Nordstrom, Inc.
     (206)303-3260

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.

Photo    : NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOG

CONTACT:          media, Shasha Richardson, +1-206-373-3038 or, investors, Rob
                  Campbell, +1-206-303-3260, both of Nordstrom, Inc.

URL:              http://www.prnewswire.com
                  http://www.nordstrom.com

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