SEC Filing | Nordstrom

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999 / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _______ to _______ Commission file number 0-6074 Nordstrom, Inc. ______________________________________________________ (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Washington 91-0515058 _______________________________ __________________ (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101 ______________________________________________________________ (Address of principal executive office) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 206-628-2111 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, without par value ____________________________________ (Title of class) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES /X/ NO / / Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. / / 1 of 19 On March 17, 1999, 142,080,328 shares of common stock were outstanding, and the aggregate market value of those shares (based upon the closing price as reported by NASDAQ) held by non-affiliates was approximately $3.3 billion. Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of Nordstrom, Inc. 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders (Parts I, II and IV) Portions of Proxy Statement for 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III) 2 of 19 PART I Item 1. Business. - ------------------ Nordstrom, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the State of Washington in 1946 as successor to a retail shoe business started in 1901. As of January 31, 1999, the Company operated 67 large specialty stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, selling a wide selection of apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children. The Company also operated 24 stores under the name "Nordstrom Rack" and one clearance store which serve as outlets for clearance merchandise from the Company's large specialty stores. The Racks also purchase merchandise directly from manufacturers. The Racks are located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The Company also operated three specialty boutiques in New York and California under the name "Faconnable", and two free-standing shoe stores located in Hawaii. In addition, the Company operated a Direct Sales Division which commenced operations in January 1994 with the mailing of its first catalog, and an internet shopping site, www.nordstrom.com, which was launched in October, 1998. In February 1999, the Company opened a new Rack store in Sacramento, California, and in March 1999, a large specialty store in Norfolk, Virginia. In August 1999, the Company plans to open a large specialty store in Providence, Rhode Island and replace an existing store in Spokane, Washington. In September 1999, the Company is scheduled to open large specialty stores in Mission Viejo, California and in Columbia, Maryland. In addition, the Company intends to open a new Rack store in Brea, California, in September 1999, and replace a Rack store in Lynnwood, Washington, in November 1999. The west coast of the United States, and the east coast, from southern New York to Virginia, are the markets in which the Company has the largest presence. An economic downturn or other significant event within one of those markets may have a material effect on the Company's operating results. The Company purchases merchandise from many suppliers, no one of which accounted for more than 3% of 1998 net purchases. The Company believes that it is not dependent on any one supplier, and considers its relations with its suppliers to be satisfactory. 3 of 19 Item 1. Business (continued) - ----------------------------- The Company has approximately 85 trademarks. With the exception of the Federally registered names "Nordstrom", "Classiques Entier", "Evergreen", "Preview Collection" and "Preview International", the loss or abandonment of any particular trademark would not have a significant impact on the operations of the Company. Due to the Company's anniversary sale in July and holidays in December, sales are higher in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. The Company regularly employs on a full or part-time basis an average of approximately 42,000 employees. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, the number increased to approximately 50,000 employees in July, and approximately 46,000 employees in December. The Company's business is highly competitive. Its stores compete with other national, regional and local retail establishments within its operating areas which carry similar lines of merchandise, including department stores, specialty stores, boutiques, mail order and internet businesses. The Company believes the principal methods of competing in its industry include customer service, value, fashion, advertising, store location and depth of selection. Certain other information required under Item 1 is contained within the following sections of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Management's Discussion and Analysis Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 14 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Retail Store Facilities Executive Officers of the Registrant - ------------------------------------

4 of 19 Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued) - ------------------------------------------------

The following table summarizes the number of stores owned or operated by the Company and the percentage of total store area represented by each listed category at January 31, 1999: Number of % of total store stores square footage --------- ---------------- Owned stores 21 25% Leased stores 45 29 Owned on leased land 29 44 Partly owned & partly leased 2 2 --------- ---------------- 97 100% ========= ================

7 of 19 Item 2. Properties. (continued) - -------------------------------- The Company also operates seven merchandise distribution centers, five which are owned, one which is leased, and one which is owned on leased land. The Company owns its principal offices in Seattle, Washington, and an office building in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area which serves as the principal offices of Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank. Certain other information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Note 7 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 11 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Retail Store Facilities Item 3. Legal Proceedings. - --------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Note 15 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. - ------------------------------------------------------------- None PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's Common Stock, without par value, is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "NOBE." The approximate number of holders of Common Stock as of March 17, 1999 was 82,500. 8 of 19 Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. (continued) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Certain other information required under this item with respect to stock prices and dividends is included in the following sections of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Financial Highlights Stock Prices Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Note 16 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 6. Selected Financial Data. - --------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Ten-Year Statistical Summary Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Management's Discussion and Analysis Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. - --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company is subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business, primarily as a result of its short-term borrowing and investment activities which generally bear interest at variable rates. Because the short-term borrowings and investments have maturities of three months or less, the Company believes that the risk of material loss is low. 9 of 19 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. (continued) - --------------------------------------------------------------------- The table below presents pricipal amounts, at book value, by year of maturity, and related weighted average interest rates.
Total at Fair Value January 31, January 31, In thousands 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Thereafter 1999 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTEREST RATE RISK ASSETS Short-term investments $231,829 $231,829 $231,829 $ 15,690 Average interest rate 5.0% 5.0% LIABILITIES Notes payable & commercial paper 78,783 78,783 78,783 263,767 Average interest rate 5.2% 5.2% Long-term debt - Fixed $ 62,963 $57,776 $11,000 $76,750 - $650,000 858,489 893,872 419,027 Average interest rate 6.9% 7.6% 8.7% 7.3% - 6.4% 6.6%
Certain other information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. - ----------------------------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Consolidated Statements of Earnings Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ None 10 of 19 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item with respect to the Company's Directors and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Election of Directors Compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 1934 The information required under this item with respect to the Company's Executive Officers is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1 of this report under "Executive Officers of the Registrant." Item 11. Executive Compensation. - -------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Compensation of Executive Officers in the Year Ended January 31, 1999 Compensation and Stock Option Committee Report on the 1998 Fiscal Year Executive Compensation Stock Price Performance Compensation of Directors Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 11 of 19 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. - -------------------------------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Election of Directors Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Certain Relationships and Related Transactions PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a)1. Financial Statements -------------------- The following consolidated financial information and statements of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the Independent Auditors' Report are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Consolidated Statements of Earnings Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report (a)2. Financial Statement Schedules ----------------------------- Page ---- Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule 18 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 19 Other schedules for which provision is made in Regulation S-X are not required, are inapplicable, or the information is included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders as incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report. (a)3. Exhibits -------- (3.1) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant are hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1989, Exhibit A. 12 of 19 (a)3. Exhibits (continued) -------------------- (3.2) By-laws of the Registrant, as amended, are hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1998, Exhibit 3.2. (4.1) Indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated March 11, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-47035, Exhibit 4.1. (4.2) Senior indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated January 13, 1999 is hereby incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-69281, Exhibit 4.3. (4.3) Form of Subordinated Indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated January 13, 1999 is hereby incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-69281, Exhibit 4.4. (10.1) Operating Agreement dated August 30, 1991 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1, as amended. (10.2) Merchant Agreement dated August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1. (10.3) The Nordstrom Supplemental Retirement Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1993, Exhibit 10.3. (10.4) The 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1994, Exhibit 10.4. (10.5) Investment Agreement dated October 8, 1984 between the Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 10, Exhibit 10.1. (10.6) Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.1. 13 of 19 (a)3. Exhibits (continued) -------------------- (10.7) Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.2. (10.8) Transfer and Administration Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Enterprise Funding Corporation and Nationsbank, N.A. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.3. (10.9) Receivables Purchase Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.12. (10.10) The Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-63403 filed on September 15, 1998. (10.11) Credit Agreement dated July 24, 1997 between Registrant and a group of commercial banks is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. (10.12) Credit Agreement dated July 24, 1997 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and a group of commercial banks is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. (10.13) Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between Registrant and Bancamerica Securities, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. (10.14) Commercial Paper Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between Registrant and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.2. (10.15) Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between Registrant and First Trust of New York, N.A. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.3. 14 of 19 (a)3. Exhibits (continued) -------------------- (10.16) Amendment to the Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated December 10, 1997 is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1998, Exhibit 10.13. (10.17) Second Amendment to the Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated July 23, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1999, Exhibit 10.12. (10.18) First Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated July 24, 1997 between Registrant and a group of commercial banks, dated September 16, 1998 is filed herein as an Exhibit. (13.1) The Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is filed herein as an Exhibit. (21.1) List of the Registrant's Subsidiaries is filed herein as an Exhibit. (23.1) Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule is on page 18 of this report. (27.1) Financial Data Schedule is filed herein as an Exhibit. All other exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the required information is included in the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. (b) Reports on Form 8-K ------------------- No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the period for which this report is filed. 15 of 19 Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NORDSTROM, INC. (Registrant) /s/ Michael A. Stein ---------------------------------------------------- Michael A. Stein Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) Date: March 22, 1999 -------------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. Principal Accounting and Principal Executive Officer: Financial Officer: /s/ Michael A. Stein /s/ John J. Whitacre ------------------------------- -------------------------------- Michael A. Stein John J. Whitacre Executive Vice President Chairman and Director and Chief Financial Officer Directors: /s/ D. Wayne Gittinger /s/ Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- D. Wayne Gittinger Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. Director Director /s/ Enrique Hernandez, Jr. /s/ William D. Ruckelshaus ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Enrique Hernandez, Jr. William D. Ruckelshaus Director Director 16 of 19 Directors (continued): /s/ Ann D. McLaughlin /s/ Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Ann D. McLaughlin Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan Director Director /s/ John A. McMillan /s/ John J. Whitacre ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- John A. McMillan John J. Whitacre Director Chairman of the Board of Directors /s/ Bruce A. Nordstrom /s/ Bruce G. Willison ------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Bruce A. Nordstrom Bruce G. Willison Director Director /s/ John N. Nordstrom ------------------------------- John N. Nordstrom Director Date: March 22, 1999 -------------- 17 of 19 Exhibit 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE Shareholders and Board of Directors Nordstrom, Inc. We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 33-18321, 33-28882, and 333-63403 on Form S-8 and in Registration Statement 333-69281 on Form S-3 of Nordstrom, Inc. of our reports dated March 12, 1999 appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended January 31, 1999. We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1999 and 1998, and for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1999, and have issued our report thereon dated March 12, 1999; such financial statements and report are included in your 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14(a)2. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. Deloitte & Touche LLP March 22, 1999 Seattle, Washington 18 of 19 NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Dollars in thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Additions Deductions ---------- ---------- Account Balance at Charged to write-offs Balance beginning costs and net of at end of Description of period expenses recoveries period - ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended: January 31, 1997 $29,393 $51,352 $53,952 $26,793 January 31, 1998 $26,793 $40,440 $36,849 $30,384 January 31, 1999 $30,384 $23,827 $29,668 $24,543
19 of 19 NORDSTROM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Exhibit Index
Exhibit Method of Filing - ------- ---------------- 3.1 Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1989, Exhibit A. 3.2 By-laws, as amended Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1998, Exhibit 3.2. 4.1 Indenture between Registrant and Incorporated by reference Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as from Registration No. 333- trustee, dated March 11, 1998 47035, Exhibit 4.1. 4.2 Senior indenture between Registrant Incorporated by reference and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., from Registration No. 333- as trustee, dated January 13, 1999 69281, Exhibit 4.3. 4.3 Form of Subordinated Indenture Incorporated by reference between Registrant and Norwest from Registration No. 333- Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, 69281, Exhibit 4.4. dated January 13, 1999 10.1 Operating Agreement dated August 30, Incorporated by reference 1991 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc from the Nordstrom Credit, and Nordstrom National Credit Bank Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1, as amended. 10.2 Merchant Agreement dated August 30, Incorporated by reference 1991 between Registrant and from the Registrant's Nordstrom National Credit Bank Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1. 10.3 Nordstrom Supplemental Retirement Plan Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1993, Exhibit 10.3. 10.4 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Incorporated by reference Incentive Plan from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1994, Exhibit 10.4. 10.5 Investment Agreement dated October 8, Incorporated by reference 1984 between the Registrant and from the Nordstrom Credit, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Inc. Form 10, Exhibit 10.1. 10.6 Master Pooling and Servicing Incorporated by reference Agreement dated August 14, 1996 from the Registrant's between Nordstrom National Credit Quarterly Report on Form Bank and Norwest Bank Colorado, 10-Q for the quarter ended N.A., as trustee October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.1. 10.7 Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Incorporated by reference Pooling and Servicing Agreement from the Registrant's dated August 14, 1996 between Quarterly Report on Form Nordstrom National Credit Bank, 10-Q for the quarter ended Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest October 31, 1996, Exhibit Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee 10.2. 10.8 Transfer and Administration Agreement Incorporated by reference dated August 14, 1996 between from the Registrant's Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Quarterly Report on Form Enterprise Funding Corporation and 10-Q for the quarter ended Nationsbank, N.A. October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.3. 10.9 Receivables Purchase Agreement Incorporated by reference dated August 14, 1996 between from the Registrant's Form Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, 10-K for the year ended Inc. January 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.12. 10.10 1997 Nordstrom Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-63403 filed on September 15, 1998. 10.11 Credit Agreement dated July 24, 1997 Incorporated by reference between Registrant and a group from the Registrant's of commercial banks Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. 10.12 Credit Agreement dated July 24, 1997 Incorporated by reference between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. from the Nordstrom Credit, and a group of commercial banks Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. 10.13 Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement Incorporated by reference dated October 2, 1997 between from the Registrant's Registrant and Bancamerica Quarterly Report on Form Securities, Inc. 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.1. 10.14 Commercial Paper Agreement dated Incorporated by reference October 2, 1997 between Registrant from the Registrant's and Credit Suisse First Boston Quarterly Report on Form Corporation 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.2. 10.15 Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement Incorporated by reference dated October 2, 1997 between from the Registrant's Registrant and First Trust of New Quarterly Report on Form York, N.A. 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, Exhibit 10.3. 10.16 Amendment to the Series 1996-A Incorporated by reference Supplement to Master Pooling and from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Servicing Agreement dated August Form 10-K for the year ended 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National January 31, 1998, Exhibit Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 10.13. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated December 10, 1997 10.17 Second Amendment to the Series 1996-A Incorporated by reference Supplement to Master Pooling and from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Servicing Agreement dated August Form 10-K for the year ended 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National January 31, 1999, Exhibit Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 10.12. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated July 23, 1998 10.18 First Amendment to the Credit Agreement Filed herewith electronically dated July 24, 1997 between Registrant and a group of commercial banks, dated September 16, 1998 13.1 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders Filed herewith electronically 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant Filed herewith electronically 23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule Filed herewith electronically 27.1 Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith electronically

EXHIBIT 10.18 FIRST AMENDMENT Dated as of September 16, 1998 This FIRST AMENDMENT (this "Amendment") is among NORDSTROM, INC., a Washington corporation (the "Borrower"), the financial institutions and other entities party to the Credit Agreement referred to below (the "Lenders"), and NATIONSBANK, N.A. (successor to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.), as agent (the "Agent") for the Lenders thereunder. PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS: 1. The Borrower, the Lenders, the Managing Agents and the Agent have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of July 24, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement"; capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement). 2. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend the Minimum Net Worth covenant set forth in the Credit Agreement. 3. The Required Lenders are, on the terms and conditions stated below, willing to grant the request of the Borrower. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: SECTION 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement. Effective as of the date hereof and subject to satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2 hereof, Section 6.3.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each reference in clause (B) of such Section to "July 31, 1997" and replacing each such reference with "July 31, 1998." SECTION 2. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Amendment shall not be effective until each of the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied: (a) the Agent shall have executed this Amendment and shall have received counterparts of this Amendment executed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders; and (b) each of the representations and warranties in Section 3 below shall be true and correct. SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents and warrants as follows: (a) Authority. The Borrower has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment and to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Loan Documents (as modified hereby) to which it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Amendment, and the performance by the Borrower of each Loan Document (as modified hereby) to which it is a party have been duly approved by all necessary corporate action of the Borrower and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Borrower are necessary to consummate such transactions. (b) Enforceability. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower. This Amendment and each Loan Document (as modified hereby) to which the Borrower is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect. (c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in each Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party (other than any such representations and warranties that, by their terms, are specifically made as of a date other than the date hereof) are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof. (d) No Default. No event has occurred and is continuing that constitutes a Default or Event of Default. SECTION 4. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. (a) Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof" or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to "the Credit Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby. (b) Except as specifically modified above, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. (c) The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender, either Managing Agent or the Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver or amendment of any provision of any of the Loan Documents. SECTION 5. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telefacsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. SECTION 6. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington. (Signature Pages Follow) IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above. NORDSTROM, INC., a Washington corporation By: /s/ John A. Goesling ------------------------------- Name: John A. Goesling Title: Vice President NATIONSBANK, N.A. (successor to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.), as Agent By: /s/ Michael Shea ------------------------------- Name: Michael Shea Title: Senior Vice President Lenders - ------- NATIONSBANK, N.A. (successor to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.) By: /s/ Michael Shea ------------------------------- Name: Michael Shea Title: Senior Vice President BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION By: /s/ Maria Vickroy-Peralta ------------------------------- Name: Maria Vickroy-Peralta Title: Vice President REVOLVING COMMITMENT VEHICLE CORPORATION By: Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Attorney-in-fact for Revolving Commitment Vehicle Corporation By: /s/ David Weintrob ------------------------------- Name: David Weintrob Title: Vice President BANK ONE, COLORADO, N.A. By: /s/ David L. Ericson ------------------------------- Name: David L. Ericson Title: Senior Corporate Banking Manager KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By: /s/ Richard J. Ameny, Jr. --------------------------------- Name: Richard J. Ameny, Jr. Title: Assistant Vice President NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By: /s/ Brad Hardy --------------------------------- Name: Brad Hardy Title: Vice President PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION By: /s/ Eric C. Johnson --------------------------------- Name: Eric C. Johnson Title: Senior Vice President U.S. Bank By: /s/ Arnold J. Conrad --------------------------------- Name: Arnold J. Conrad Title: Vice President

Exhibit 13.1 Portions of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders Financial Highlights Dollars in thousands except per share amounts
Fiscal Year 1998 1997 % Change Net sales $5,027,890 $4,851,624 +3.6 Earnings before income taxes 337,723 307,213 +9.9 Net earnings 206,723 186,213 +11.0 Basic and diluted earnings per share 1.41 1.20 +17.5 Cash dividends paid per share .30 .265 +13.2
Stock Prices
Fiscal Year 1998 1997 high low high low ~~First Quarter 33 9/16 25 1/8 19 7/8 16 15/16 Second Quarter 40 3/8 30 1/8 29 13/16 19 5/8 Third Quarter 39 1/2 22 34 3/32 26 3/16 Fourth Quarter 44 1/8 27 1/16 32 7/8 21 55/128~~
Nordstrom, Inc. common stock is traded over-the-counter and quoted daily in leading financial publications. NASDAQ Symbol-NOBE. Graph - Net Sales The vertical bar graph compares net sales for the past ten years. Beginning with the oldest fiscal year on the left, net sales (dollars are in millions) were as follows: 1989-$2,671; 1990-$2,894; 1991-$3,180; 1992-$3,422; 1993-$3,590; 1994-$3,894; 1995-$4,114; 1996-$4,453; 1997-$4,852; 1998-$5,028. Graph - Net Earnings The vertical bar graph compares net earnings for the past ten years. Beginning with the oldest fiscal year on the left, net earnings (dollars are in millions) were as follows: 1989 -$114.9; 1990-$115.8; 1991-$135.8; 1992-$136.6; 1993-$140.4; 1994-$203.0; 1995-$165.1; 1996-$147.5; 1997-$186.2; 1998-$206.7. Page 4 To Our Shareholders and Employees As anticipated, 1998 was a pivotal year. We purposely tested our capabilities in planning disciplines and merchant fitness. Coupled with other initiatives that you will hear more about later, this effort reaped solid financial benefits. While we continue to make progress in many aspects of the business, much work remains. Having found the courage, patience and fortitude to embrace this new posture, we are now in a position to move forward more aggressively and offensively. The intent of our current reorganization is straightforward: by the end of our 100th year, in 2001, our ambition is to rank - based upon total shareholder return - in the top quartile of our retail peer group. Obviously, accomplishing this goal will be a challenge. Effecting change takes time and persistence. A company-wide dedication to learning new practices is currently under way. But our commitment to execute the necessary adjustments must not sacrifice fundamental company values. All that is good about Nordstrom, such as our emphasis on quality products, our faith in people, our strength in teamwork, and our commitment to ethical behavior, should be strengthened from these ongoing initiatives. Prior to a discussion of what lies ahead, let's review financial highlights from the most recent year: Total revenues increased to $5.0 billion, up 3.6 percent. In May, our Board of Directors approved a 2-for-1 stock split, the third in the last 15 years. Market capitalization expanded 52.5 percent to $5.9 billion. Net earnings rose 11.0 percent to $206.7 million. Basic and diluted earnings per share increased to $1.41, up 17.5 percent. Page 5 Our story, a type of retail authority that we call "The Nordstrom Experience," is based upon quality people and quality products. Future success will require higher levels of quality in every detail of our business operation. Therefore, we will focus on the consistent delivery of products, product knowledge, service, and pricing that collectively form a superior offer relative to our competitors. Our goal is for every customer to trust and rely upon Nordstrom as its specialty retail provider. We want customer relationships that depend upon us as a continuing resource. We intend to differentiate Nordstrom even more with our talented, ambitious workforce that appreciates fashion and works to improve service one customer at a time. Our aim, then, is to constantly attract and retain people with a passion for retailing and serving every customer. We want knowledgeable individuals who personalize customer interaction and make shopping fun and rewarding. To that end, we are reviewing existing roles and responsibilities throughout the company. In October of this year, Michael A. Stein, who worked nearly ten years for Marriott International, joined Nordstrom as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. We are making changes to match meaningful career opportunities with the proper combinations of skills and experience. Performance measures, information systems development, and incentives are all geared to provide our employees with the tools and incentives they need in order to bring value to our customers and shareholders. In an effort to balance work/life demands, operating hours were intentionally reduced in 1998, especially during the fourth quarter. In addition, all stores are now closed on January 1st and July 4th. We regularly review our employee benefit programs. We want to ensure that we remain competitive and that the right choices are in place to fit the changing needs of our current and future workforce. Company contributions to the Nordstrom Profit Sharing and 401(k) Page 11 plans reached $50 million in 1998, and climbed to $171 million over the last four years. This year the company contributed more than $2,000 per employee for participants in both plans, making us a leader in our industry. We also recently increased participation in the stock option program so that it includes more management employees. These improvements are important to the health of our operation and are required steps to retain and attract future Nordstrom leaders. On Friday morning, August 21, 1998, more than five thousand enthusiastic customers filled the streets of downtown Seattle. Our hometown store was about to open in a beautifully restored building. This opening was remarkable and gratifying. If it's true that every picture tells a story, then Mr. Carlos Gonzalez of the Seattle Times did a masterful job in capturing the essence of this historic and sentimental occasion. His photo can be found in the center of this report. Nordstrom continued to expand its national presence and reach more new customers. Last year, the Company opened three new full-line stores: Perimeter Mall, in Atlanta, Georgia; Oak Park Mall, in Overland Park, Kansas; and Fashion Square, in Scottsdale, Arizona. We also added four new Rack clearance stores: Westgate Mall, in San Jose, California; Meadows Market Place, in Littleton, Colorado; Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minnesota; and Tanasbourne Towne Center, in Beaverton, Oregon. Overall, we added approximately one million additional feet of selling space, an eight percent increase over 1997. This year we plan to open four new full-line stores: Norfolk, Virginia; Providence, Rhode Island; Mission Viejo, California; and Columbia, Maryland. We will also relocate our existing Spokane store within River Park Square, in downtown Spokane, Washington. Additionally, three Rack stores are planned, including one in Sacramento, California and another in Brea, California, along with the relocation of an existing Rack in Lynnwood, Washington. Altogether, this creates over Page 13 800,000 square feet of additional selling space in 1999. After this year, the pace of full-line and Rack store growth begins to accelerate. Somewhere between ten and fifteen full-line stores and four to six Rack stores are currently scheduled to open during 2000 and 2001. This growth represents approximately 3.0 to 4.0 million additional square feet of retail store over the period 1999 through 2001. We are working to build quality options for our customers. They are based on the convergence of multiple shopping channels and the identification of three specific dimensions in which we want to compete as a leader: convenience, price and shopping as a format of entertainment. We are not interested in dictating where our customer will shop. Rather, we are building an organization that will be where our customers want us to be. To this end, we are working to develop solid shopping options - The Nordstrom Experience - through our full-line store, Rack store, Catalog and Internet operations. Full-line stores will strive to create a traditional and comfortable shopping environment centered on people, products and entertainment. Our Rack locations offer a similar opportunity to access a quality mix of Nordstrom products and branded fashion at a lower price. Nordstrom The Catalog, along with our newer catalog, Nordstrom Second Nature, and our even newer web site, offer convenient access any time, from anywhere. With our state-of-the-industry fulfillment center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we are positioned to deliver merchandise to our growing family of customers anywhere in the world within two days. Accordingly, we continued to expand Catalog operations during this last year and experienced a 31 percent increase in sales volume. But even with that sales growth, it was a tough year for our Catalog division, as it was for the direct mail industry as a whole. Inventories were excessively high for the first half of the year, and early fall and winter sales grew at a slower rate than our expectations. The combination of higher markdowns in the early part of the year, with lower sales growth in the third and fourth quarters, had an adverse impact on the performance of this important new business. Page 14 In October, we launched the www.nordstrom.com web site. As a new venture, we are concentrating on execution and reliability. We want to build trust through each of these convenient new customer access channels. Recently we expanded our merchandise selection on the site to include all Nordstrom The Catalog items, bringing our current on-line offerings to more than 60,000 units. As we continue to learn, we expect to refine and eventually expand services on the site based upon feedback from customers. Another noteworthy development is our investments in Streamline, Inc. and Scotty's Home Market. Streamline is based in Boston; Scotty's is located outside of Chicago. Both companies are in the home delivery relationship business. Each provides services for time-starved consumers who are searching for better ways to organize the tasks of grocery shopping, dry cleaning, video rental and other basic weekly errands. Our intent at this point is to learn all we can about this access channel. Again, we want to be where our customers want us to be. Currently our company is researching the best way, at every level, to match performance measures with incentives. We want to ensure that accountability is aligned with authority. The fundamental principle is that investment decisions will be based on their ability to create value over time. Performance measures are being developed to support this objective. As we establish the proper performance measures, we also will develop systems that provide accurate information quickly at all levels throughout the company. Our people want to be smarter and faster. They need tools that encourage informed innovation and quick response to trends. We took a firm step in this direction during the past year with the introduction of a new merchandise planning system, which allows easier on-line access to information that is critical to our buyers. Continued progress is required in this Page 16 area. Our objectives are to provide customer experiences that are unique to Nordstrom, and to dramatically increase productivity throughout the company. Going forward, we believe that our success as an organization will depend upon our ability to consistently provide The Nordstrom Experience regardless of market or medium, and to create value with quality people, quality products and quality growth across all stakeholder groups. We believe customers want special experiences, convenience, and value for their purchases. Employees want respect, the freedom to perform their jobs, rewards for their effort, and opportunities to pursue careers. Communities want Nordstrom to participate in making where we work and live a better place. And finally, shareholders expect Nordstrom to be a great retailer AND a great investment. These next twelve to twenty-four months will be important ones for us. Reaching the top quartile in total shareholder return within our retail peer group by fiscal year 2002 will require steady improvement. We recognize the need to manage our business for financial results in the near term, in addition to building for the long term. In this interim period, some of what we gain will need to be reinvested in our business. The need to perform short- term and grow long-term is delicate. We will do our best to maintain the appropriate balance as we go forward. Recently, Nordstrom was listed as the second most-respected retailer in the world by the Financial Times. Working Woman magazine rated Nordstrom as the ninth best place for career women to work in America. Catalyst ranked Nordstrom among the top companies in America with women in key executive positions. On Fortune magazine's list of 100 best places to work in America, Nordstrom ranked 98th. Earlier last year, Fortune's list of best places to work for Asians, Blacks and Hispanics placed Nordstrom 37th, and its annual survey of most admired companies listed Page 17 Nordstrom 125th. Finally, this past November, Consumer Reports magazine, in a nationwide survey of more than sixty retail organizations, ranked Nordstrom first in overall quality, service and value. Nordstrom has been an enthusiastic supporter of the United Way for most of our history. This past year we made a decision to improve our campaign effort, especially at the leadership levels. Since United Way has always represented our core community effort, we felt that the executives in the company needed to appreciate their role in setting an example. The response was meaningful. This year's campaign increased our nationwide Nordstrom pledges to United Way by more than 22%. As we look to the future, we contemplate the view of Mr. Gonzalez's photo taken on the morning of our downtown Seattle opening. The picture reminds us that Nordstrom is unique. We feel a deep responsibility to current and former employees, who built our Company's reputation - our story - over these past ninety-eight years. We believe this photo represents something special that is good, and that must be preserved, while we do everything within our ability to achieve our ambitious goals. Sincerely, John J. Whitacre Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Page 23 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis The following discussion and analysis reviews the past three years, as well as additional information on future expectations and trends. Some of the information in this annual report, including anticipated store openings, planned capital expenditures and trends in company operations, are forward looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to predict fashion trends, consumer apparel buying patterns, the Company's ability to control costs and expenses, trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs, employee relations, adverse weather conditions and other hazards of nature such as earthquakes and floods, the Company's ability to continue its expansion plans, and the impact of ongoing competitive market factors. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the basic consolidated financial statements and the Ten-Year Statistical Summary. Overview In 1998 Nordstrom, Inc. (the "Company") achieved record sales and net earnings. The Company's strategy of managing for value, which includes controlling inventory levels, better aligning authority and accountability throughout the organization, and an increased focus on capital productivity contributed to the strong financial results. Cash flow from operations was sufficient to fund the Company's continued growth. The Company opened three new full-line stores and four new Rack stores in the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999. The Company also expanded a full-line store and relocated its downtown Seattle, Washington, flagship store. During the year the Company also expanded its presence in the internet marketplace with the launching of the www.nordstrom.com web site. While not yet a significant contributor to operating results, this distribution channel provides another strategic avenue for the Company to serve its customers. Results of Operations Sales The Company achieved modest sales increases in 1998. The components of the percentage change in sales for each of the past three years are as follows:
Fiscal Year 1998 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sales in comparable stores (open at least fourteen months) (2.6%) 3.8% 0.6% Sales in new stores 5.2% 3.9% 7.0% Direct sales catalog 1.0% 1.2% 0.7% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total percentage increase 3.6% 8.9% 8.3%
The decrease in comparable store sales in 1998 was attributable to management's focus on controlling inventory levels which resulted in lower, but more profitable, sales. In 1997, comparable store sales growth reflected the strong economic environment and a positive reaction to changes in the merchandise mix in the women's apparel departments which occurred in mid-1996. In 1996, the Company changed the merchandise mix in most of its women's apparel departments in response to changing customer profiles and vendor product offerings, resulting in sales decreases in many of the departments. "Sales in new stores" includes sales from stores open fourteen months or less. New stores are generally not as productive as "Comparable stores" because the customer base and traffic patterns of each store are developed over time. The direct sales catalog division continued to contribute to the Company's sales growth with sales of $205 million, $156 million and $103 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996. The Company's average price varied increased slightly over the past three years, due primarily to changes in the merchandise mix. Inflation in overall merchandise costs and prices has not been significant during the past three years. Page 25 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis Graph - Percentage of 1998 Sales by Merchandise Category The pie chart depicts each merchandise category and its percent of total sales. Clockwise: Shoes - 19%; Men's Apparel and Furnishings - 18%; Women's Accessories - 20%; Children's Apparel and Accessories - 4%; Women's Apparel 37%; Other - 2%. Sales by major merchandise category have changed only slightly over the past three years. Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy expenses as a percentage of net sales were 66.5% in 1998, 67.9% in 1997 and 69.2% in 1996. The 1998 decrease, as a percentage of net sales, was due primarily to higher merchandise margins resulting from favorable pricing strategies and from the Company's increased focus on managing inventory levels, which resulted in lower markdowns. A decrease in buying costs due to efficiencies gained through restructuring of certain buying responsibilities also contributed to the improvement. The decreases in cost of sales and buying costs were partially offset by increased occupancy costs related to new and remodeled stores. The 1997 decrease, as a percentage of net sales, was due to higher merchandise margins. Initial markups were higher and markdowns were lower, reflecting a recovery from the impact of the changes in the merchandise mix in the women's apparel departments in 1996. Those changes caused a decline in initial markups during that year. Buying costs increased, as a percentage of net sales, due to additional merchandising personnel in the Company's newer regions and increased investment in development of the Company's own merchandise brands. Occupancy costs decreased, as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to comparable store sales growth. Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 28.0% in 1998, 27.3% in 1997 and 27.3% in 1996. The increase in 1998 from 1997 was due to higher sales promotion costs for the Company's direct sales catalog division, and spending on Year 2000 compliance and other information system operational costs. The increase was partially offset by decreases in bad debt expenses associated with the Company's credit card business and lower selling expenses, as a percentage of sales. Page 26 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis Interest expense Interest expense increased 37% in 1998 as a result of incremental borrowings to finance share repurchases. During 1998, the Company repurchased 11.2 million shares at an aggregate cost of $346 million. Interest expense decreased in 1997, compared to 1996, primarily because of the use of proceeds from sale of the Company's VISA credit card receivables to repay short-term borrowings. Service charge income and other, net Service charge income and other, net primarily represents income from the Company's credit card operations, offset by miscellaneous expenses. Service charge income and other, net was lower in 1998 than 1997, primarily due to lower accounts receivable balances on which the Company earns service charges. In 1997, service charge income and other, net was lower than in 1996 primarily because of the impact of the sale, in August 1996, of the Company's VISA credit card receivables. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company finances its working capital needs, capital expenditures and share repurchase activity with cash provided by operations and borrowings. Also, during 1996, the Company sold its VISA credit card portfolio. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999, net cash provided by operating activities increased by approximately $300 million compared to the 1997 amount, primarily because of the aforementioned decrease in merchandise inventories, higher net earnings and depreciation charges, and lower credit card receivables. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1998, net cash provided by operating activities increased by approximately $66 million compared to the 1996 amount, primarily due to higher earnings and lower credit card receivables. The Company believes that operating working capital (net working capital excluding short-term investments, notes payable and current portion of long-term debt) is a more appropriate measure of the Company's ongoing working capital requirements than net working capital because it eliminates the effect of changes in the levels of short-term investments and borrowings. These levels vary depending on the amount and timing of financing activities. The Company's operating working capital is shown below:
Fiscal Year 1998 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating working capital (in thousands) $822,160 $1,017,258 $971,342 Percentage change from prior year (19.2%) 4.7% (11.2%) Net sales/average operating working capital 5.5 4.9 4.3 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During 1998, operating working capital declined primarily due to decreases in inventory levels and customer accounts receivable balances. The increase in operating working capital during 1997 was fueled by growth in merchandise inventories which more than offset a decline in customer accounts receivable. During 1996, growth in the Company's proprietary credit card balances leveled off due to competition within the credit card industry. The Company also reduced its efforts to promote its VISA credit card because of concerns about rising charge-offs. In addition, in 1996 the Company securitized its VISA credit card portfolio. These factors together resulted in a decrease in operating working capital for the year. Page 27 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis Graph - Investing and Operating Cash Flows The vertical bar graph compares cash provided by operating activities and cash used in investing activities for each year, for the past ten years. Dollars in millions.
Cash used Cash provided in investing by operating Year activities activities - ---- ------------ ------------- 1989 $168.7 $122.2 1990 $200.7 $148.1 1991 $147.2 $154.0 1992 $ 71.9 $235.6 1993 $132.7 $262.1 1994 $246.9 $231.8 1995 $254.0 $121.9 1996 $191.9 $234.7 1997 $260.0 $300.4 1998 $267.6 $600.8
In March 1998, the Company issued $300 million of 6.95% Senior Debentures due in 2028. The proceeds were used to repay commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt. In January 1999, the Company issued $250 million of 5.625% Senior Notes due in 2009, the proceeds of which were used to repay short-term debt and for general corporate purposes. A substantial portion of the Company's total debt of $947 million at January 31, 1999, finances the Company's credit card portfolio, which aggregated $592 million at that date. The Company spent nearly $700 million over the last three years, net of deferred lease credits, to add new stores and facilities, and to improve existing stores and facilities. Over 2.8 million square feet of retail store space has been added during this time period, representing an increase of 27 percent. The Company plans to spend about $900 million on capital projects over the next three years, with approximately $150 million allocated to the refurbishment of existing stores. At January 31, 1999, approximately $68 million has been contractually committed for the construction of new stores or remodel of existing stores. Although the Company has made commitments for stores opening in 1999 and beyond, it is possible that some stores may not be opened as scheduled because of environmental and land use regulations, or for other reasons. In addition to its cash flow from operations, the Company has funds available under its revolving credit facilities. Management believes that the Company's current financial strength and credit position enable it to maintain its existing stores and to take advantage of attractive new opportunities. Page 28 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis The Board of Directors has authorized an aggregate of $950 million of share repurchases since May 1995. As of January 31, 1999, the Company has purchased approximately 25 million shares of its common stock for approximately $630 million pursuant to these authorizations and has remaining share repurchase authority of $320 million. The share repurchases have been financed, in part, through additional borrowings, resulting in a planned increase in the Company's debt to capital ratio. At January 31, 1999, the Company's debt to capital ratio was .4184. Graph - Square Footage by Business Unit at January 31, 1999 The pie chart shows the percent of total square feet in each business unit and also gives the number of square feet for that business unit. Clockwise, Southwest - 33.5%, 4,557,000; Northwest - 20.3%, 2,754,000; Central States - 15.3%, 2,086,000; East Coast - 23.0%, 3,126,000; Rack - 7.5%, 1,013,000; Other - .4%, 57,000. Page 29 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management's Discussion and Analysis Year 2000 The Company is taking steps to avoid potential negative consequences of Year 2000 software non-compliance and presently believes that any such non- compliance will not have a material effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition. However, if unforeseen difficulties arise or if the modification, conversion and replacement activities that the Company has undertaken are not completed in a timely manner, the Company's operations may be negatively affected, either from its own computer systems or from interactions with vendors and other third parties with which it does business. The Company is currently evaluating, replacing or upgrading its computer systems in an effort to make them Year 2000 compliant, and expects to have remediation efforts completed for its critical computer systems by mid-1999. Testing is being conducted based on criticality. Non-information technology systems, such as microchips embedded in elevators, are also being evaluated, replaced or upgraded, as needed. Although the Company's initial assessment of its Year 2000 compliance has been completed, reassessments are conducted on an ongoing basis to provide reasonable assurance that all critical risks have been identified and will be mitigated. The Company's cumulative Year 2000 expenses through January 31, 1999, were approximately $13 million. In 1998, approximately $7 million of expenses were incurred, and 1999 expenses are expected to be about the same amount. In order to meet Year 2000 compliance goals, the Company has redeployed existing resources. While this reallocation of resources has resulted in the deferral of certain information technology projects, the impact of those deferrals is not material to the Company. The Company believes that all necessary Year 2000 compliance work will be completed in a timely fashion. However, there can be no guarantee that all systems will be compliant by the Year 2000, that the estimated cost of remediation will not increase, or that the systems of others (e.g. vendors and other third parties) on which the Company relies will be compliant. Since 1996, the Company has been communicating with vendors to determine their state of readiness with regard to the Year 2000 issue. Based on its assessment to date, the Company has no indication that any third party is likely to experience Year 2000 non-compliance of a nature which would have a material impact on the Company. However, the risk remains that vendors or other third parties may not have accurately determined their state of readiness, in which case such parties' lack of Year 2000 compliance may have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. The Company will continue to monitor the Year 2000 compliance of third parties with which it does business. The Company believes that the most likely worst-case scenarios that it might confront with respect to Year 2000 issues have to do with the possible failure of third party systems over which the Company has no control, such as, but not limited to, power and telecommunications services. The Company has in place a business continuity plan that addresses recovery from various kinds of disasters, including recovery from significant interruption in conveyance of data within the Company's network information systems. The Company is using this plan to assist in development of more specific Year 2000 contingency plans, which it expects to complete around mid-1999. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." Effective for the Company in the fiscal year beginning February 1, 2000, SFAS 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. Adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Page 30 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Dollars in thousands except per share amounts % of % of % of Year ended January 31, 1999 sales 1998 sales 1997 sales - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales $5,027,890 100.0 $4,851,624 100.0 $4,453,063 100.0 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 3,344,945 66.5 3,295,813 67.9 3,082,037 69.2 Selling, general and administrative 1,405,270 28.0 1,322,929 27.3 1,217,590 27.3 Interest, net 47,091 0.9 34,250 0.7 39,400 0.9 Service charge income and other, net (107,139) (2.1) (108,581) (2.2) (129,469) (2.9) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4,690,167 93.3 4,544,411 93.7 4,209,558 94.5 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings before income taxes 337,723 6.7 307,213 6.3 243,505 5.5 Income taxes 131,000 2.6 121,000 2.5 96,000 2.2 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 206,723 4.1 $ 186,213 3.8 $ 147,505 3.3 ============================================================================================ Basic earnings per share $1.41 $1.20 $ .91 ============================================================================================ Diluted earnings per share $1.41 $1.20 $ .91 ============================================================================================ Cash dividends paid per share $ .30 $.265 $ .25 ============================================================================================ The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 31 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets
Dollars in thousands January 31, 1999 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 241,431 $ 24,794 Accounts receivable, net 587,135 664,448 Merchandise inventories 750,269 826,045 Prepaid income taxes and other 101,572 95,371 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current assets 1,680,407 1,610,658 Land, buildings and equipment, net 1,362,400 1,252,513 Other assets 72,600 17,653 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total assets $3,115,407 $2,880,824 ==================================================================================== Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Notes payable $ 78,783 $ 263,767 Accounts payable 339,635 321,311 Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits 202,914 186,215 Income taxes and other accruals 83,869 70,184 Current portion of long-term debt 63,341 101,129 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current liabilities 768,542 942,606 Long-term debt 804,893 319,736 Deferred lease credits 147,188 77,091 Other liabilities 78,131 66,333 Shareholders' equity: Common stock, no par; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 142,114,167 and 152,518,104 shares issued and outstanding 230,761 201,050 Unearned stock compensation (4,703) - Retained earnings 1,090,595 1,274,008 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total shareholders' equity 1,316,653 1,475,058 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $3,115,407 $2,880,824 ==================================================================================== The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 32 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Dollars in thousands except per share amounts Common Stock Unearned Retained Shares Amount Compensation Earnings Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at February 1, 1996 162,226,288 $168,440 - $1,254,532 $1,422,972 Net earnings - - - 147,505 147,505 Cash dividends paid ($.25 per share) - - - (40,472) (40,472) Issuance of common stock 798,336 14,958 - - 14,958 Purchase and retirement of common stock (3,754,670) - - (71,771) (71,771) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at January 31, 1997 159,269,954 183,398 - 1,289,794 1,473,192 Net earnings - - - 186,213 186,213 Cash dividends paid ($.265 per share) - - - (41,168) (41,168) Issuance of common stock 843,150 17,652 - - 17,652 Purchase and retirement of common stock (7,595,000) - - (160,831) (160,831) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at January 31, 1998 152,518,104 201,050 - 1,274,008 1,475,058 Net earnings - - - 206,723 206,723 Cash dividends paid ($.30 per share) - - - (44,059) (44,059) Issuance of common stock 793,663 29,711 $(4,995) - 24,716 Purchase and retirement of common stock (11,197,600) - - (346,077) (346,077) Amortization of unearned compensation - - 292 - 292 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance at January 31, 1999 142,114,167 $230,761 $(4,703) $1,090,595 $1,316,653 ============================================================================================ The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 33 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Dollars in thousands Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Activities Net earnings $206,723 $186,213 $147,505 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 180,108 158,969 155,122 Amortization of deferred lease credits and other, net (2,954) (2,092) (1,542) Stock-based compensation expense 9,545 - - Change in: Accounts receivable, net 77,313 50,141 (7,262) Merchandise inventories 75,776 (106,126) (93,616) Prepaid income taxes and other (6,201) (11,616) (4,808) Accounts payable 18,324 10,881 32,846 Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits 16,699 10,307 11,551 Income tax liabilities and other accruals 17,187 1,432 (9,281) Other liabilities 8,296 2,301 4,199 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 600,816 300,410 234,714 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investing Activities Additions to land, buildings and equipment (290,584) (259,935) (204,278) Additions to deferred lease credits 74,264 - 14,167 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (32,857) - - Other, net (18,404) (49) (1,838) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (267,581) (259,984) (191,949) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financing Activities Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization - - 186,600 (Decrease) increase in notes payable (184,984) 99,997 (68,731) Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 544,165 91,644 57,729 Principal payments on long-term debt (101,106) (51,210) (117,311) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 15,463 17,652 14,958 Cash dividends paid (44,059) (41,168) (40,472) Purchase and retirement of common stock (346,077) (160,831) (71,771) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in financing activities (116,598) (43,916) (38,998) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 216,637 (3,490) 3,767 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 24,794 28,284 24,517 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $241,431 $ 24,794 $ 28,284 ============================================================================================ The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 34 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Dollars in thousands except per share amounts Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Company: Nordstrom, Inc. is a fashion specialty retailer offering a wide selection of high quality apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children, principally through 67 large specialty stores and 25 clearance stores. All of the Company's stores are located in the United States, with approximately 34% of its retail square footage located in the state of California. The Company purchases a significant percentage of its merchandise from foreign countries, principally in the Far East. An event causing a disruption in imports from the Far East could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations. In connection with the purchase of foreign merchandise, the Company has outstanding letters of credit totaling $52,749 at January 31, 1999. Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the most significant of which are wholly owned subsidiaries, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The presentation of these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Merchandise Inventories: Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market, using the retail method. Advertising: Costs for newspaper, television, radio and other media are generally expensed as incurred. Direct response advertising costs, consisting primarily of catalog book production and printing costs, are capitalized and amortized over the expected life of the catalog, not to exceed 6 months. Net capitalized direct response advertising costs were $3,436 and $3,648 at January 31, 1999 and 1998, and are included in prepaid taxes and other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total advertising expenses were $145,841, $115,272 and $97,216 in 1998, 1997 and 1996. Land, Buildings and Equipment: Straight-line and accelerated methods are applied in the calculation of depreciation and amortization. Lives used for calculating depreciation and amortization rates for the principal asset classifications are as follows: buildings, 10 to 40 years; store fixtures and equipment, three to 15 years; leasehold improvements, life of lease or applicable shorter period. Store Preopening Costs: Store opening and preopening costs are charged to expense when incurred. Capitalization of Interest: The interest carrying costs of facilities being constructed are capitalized during their construction period based on the Company's weighted average borrowing rate. Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all short-term investments with a maturity at date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Customer Accounts Receivable: In accordance with industry practices, installments maturing in more than one year or deferred payment accounts receivable are included in current assets. Cash Management: The Company's cash management system provides for the reimbursement of all major bank disbursement accounts on a daily basis. Accounts payable at January 31, 1999 and 1998 include $10,189 and $4,361 of checks not yet presented for payment drawn in excess of cash balances. Deferred Lease Credits: Deferred lease credits are amortized on a straight-line basis primarily over the life of the applicable lease. Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The carrying amount of cash equivalents and notes payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities), using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues with the same remaining term to maturity, is approximately $894,000 and $419,000 at January 31, 1999 and 1998. Page 35 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 1 continued) Derivatives Policy: The Company limits its use of derivative financial instruments to the management of foreign currency and interest rate risks. The effect of these activities is not material to the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company has no material off-balance sheet credit risk, and the fair value of derivative financial instruments at January 31, 1999 and 1998 is not material. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Company plans to adopt SFAS 133 on February 1, 2000, as required. Adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements: In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, which establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components. The Company's net earnings and comprehensive net income are the same for the year ended January 31, 1999. The Company also adopted SFAS No. 132 in 1998, which revises employers' disclosures about pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Adoption of these standards had no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made for consistent presentation with the current year. Note 2: Employee Benefits The Company provides a profit sharing plan for employees. The plan is fully funded by the Company and is non-contributory except for employee contributions made under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under this provision of the plan, the Company provides matching contributions up to a stipulated percentage of employee contributions. Company contributions to the profit sharing portion of the plan vest over a seven year period. The Company contribution is established each year by the Board of Directors and totaled $50,000, $45,000 and $36,000 in 1998, 1997 and 1996. Note 3: Interest, Net The components of interest, net are as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-term debt $10,707 $10,931 $13,135 Long-term debt 43,601 32,887 32,483 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest cost 54,308 43,818 45,618 Less: Interest income (1,883) (1,221) (1,395) Capitalized interest (5,334) (8,347) (4,823) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest, net $47,091 $34,250 $39,400 ===========================================================================
Note 4: Income Taxes Income taxes consist of the following:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current income taxes: Federal $113,270 $ 98,464 $ 88,414 State and local 19,672 18,679 18,150 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current income taxes 132,942 117,143 106,564 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deferred income taxes: Current (1,357) (4,614) (1,471) Non-current (585) 8,471 (9,093) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total deferred income taxes (1,942) 3,857 (10,564) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total income taxes $131,000 $121,000 $ 96,000 ===========================================================================
Page 36 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 4 continued) A reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory rate 35.00% 35.00% 35.00% State and local income taxes, net of Federal income taxes 4.03 4.17 4.32 Other, net (0.24) 0.21 0.10 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Effective tax rate 38.79% 39.38% 39.42% ===========================================================================
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expenses for tax and financial reporting purposes. Significant deferred tax assets and liabilities, by nature of the temporary differences giving rise thereto, are as follows:
January 31, 1999 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------- Accrued expenses $27,760 $30,070 Compensation and benefits accruals 30,404 24,199 Merchandise inventories 18,801 19,398 Land, buildings and equipment basis and depreciation differences (29,017) (34,067) Employee benefits (10,659) (10,278) Other (2,020) 4,005 - ------------------------------------------------------------- Net deferred tax assets $35,269 $33,327 =============================================================
Note 5: Earnings Per Share On May 19, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split effective June 30, 1998. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the stock split. Basic earnings per share are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Average shares out- standing were 146,241,091, 154,972,560 and 161,697,968 in 1998, 1997 and 1996. Diluted earnings per share are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year plus dilutive common stock equivalents (stock options). Average dilutive shares outstanding were 146,858,271, 155,350,296 and 161,924,758 in 1998, 1997 and 1996. Options with an exercise price greater than the average market price were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. These options totaled 1,146,113, 303,622, and 714,164 shares in 1998, 1997, and 1996. Note 6: Accounts Receivable The components of accounts receivable are as follows:
January 31, 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Customers $592,204 $672,246 Other 19,474 22,586 Allowance for doubtful accounts (24,543) (30,384) - -------------------------------------------------------------- Accounts receivable, net $587,135 $664,448 ==============================================================
Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is concentrated in the geographic regions in which the Company operates stores. At January 31, 1999 and 1998, approximately 40% of the Company's receivables were obligations of customers residing in California. Concentration of the remaining receivables is considered to be limited due to their geographical dispersion. Bad debt expense totaled $23,828, $40,440 and $51,352 in 1998, 1997 and 1996. Nordstrom National Credit Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issues both a proprietary and VISA credit card. In 1996, the Company transferred substantially all of its VISA credit card receivables (approximately $203,000) to a trust in exchange for certificates representing undivided interests in the trust. A Class A certificate with a market value of $186,600 was sold to a third party, and a Class B certificate, which is subordinated to the Class A certificate, was retained by the Company. The Company owns the remaining undivided interests in the trust not represented by the Class A and Class B certificates (the "Seller's Interest"). Page 37 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 6 continued) Cash flows generated from the receivables in the trust are, to the extent allocable to the investors, applied to the payment of interest on the Class A and Class B certificates, absorption of credit losses, and payment of servicing fees to the Company, which services the receivables for the trust. Excess cash flows revert to the Company. The Company's investment in the Class B certificate and the Seller's Interest totals $8,208 and $20,407 at January 31, 1999 and 1998, and is included in customer accounts receivable. Pursuant to the terms of operative documents of the trust, in certain events the Company may be required to fund certain amounts pursuant to a recourse obligation for credit losses. Based on current cash flow projections, the Company does not believe any additional funding will be required. Note 7: Land, Buildings and Equipment Land, buildings and equipment consist of the following (at cost):
January 31, 1999 1998 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Land and land improvements $ 57,337 $ 52,339 Buildings 500,831 460,284 Leasehold improvements 957,877 825,950 Store fixtures and equipment 944,202 836,041 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2,460,247 2,174,614 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,234,863) (1,087,516) - ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1,225,384 1,087,098 Construction in progress 137,016 165,415 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Land, buildings and equipment, net $1,362,400 $1,252,513 ================================================================
At January 31, 1999, the net book value of property located in California is approximately $304,000. The Company does not carry earthquake insurance in California because of its high cost. Note 8: Other Assets In 1998, the Company adopted AICPA Statement of Position 98-1, which requires that certain software costs be capitalized and amortized over the period of use. Software costs of $15,607, which would have been expensed as incurred prior to adoption of this rule, were capitalized as of January 31, 1999, and are being amortized over terms up to five years. In 1998, the Company invested an aggregate of $33 million in non-voting convertible preferred stock in two companies which provide services to consumers utilizing internet technology. These investments are accounted for at cost. Page 38 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 9: Notes Payable A summary of notes payable is as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average daily short- term borrowings $195,596 $193,811 $242,033 Maximum amount outstanding 385,734 278,471 345,738 Weighted average interest rate: During the year 5.5% 5.6% 5.4% At year-end 5.2% 5.5% 5.3%
At January 31, 1999, the Company has unsecured lines of credit with a group of commercial banks totaling $500,000 which are available as liquidity support for the Company's commercial paper programs, and expire in July 2002. The line of credit agreements contain restrictive covenants which, among other things, require the Company to maintain a certain minimum level of net worth and a coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2 to 1. The Company pays commitment fees for the lines based on the Company's debt rating. Note 10: Long-Term Debt A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
January 31, 1999 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Senior debentures, 6.95%, due 2028 $300,000 - Senior notes, 5.625%, due 2009 250,000 - Senior notes, 8.875%, due 1998 - $ 50,000 Medium-term notes, payable by Nordstrom Credit, Inc., 6.875%-8.67%, due 1999-2002 203,350 253,350 Notes payable, by Nordstrom Credit, Inc., 6.7%, due 2005 100,000 100,000 Other 14,884 17,515 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Total long-term debt 868,234 420,865 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Less current portion (63,341) (101,129) Total due beyond one year $804,893 $319,736 ==============================================================
Aggregate principal payments on long-term debt are as follows: 1999-$63,341; 2000-$58,191; 2001-$11,454; 2002-$77,247; 2003-$319; and, after 2003-$657,682. Note 11: Leases The Company leases land, buildings and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements with expiration dates ranging from 1999 to 2080. Certain leases include renewal provisions at the Company's option. Most of the leases provide for additional rentals based upon specific percentages of sales and require the Company to pay for certain other costs. Future minimum lease payments as of January 31, 1999 are as follows: 1999-$43,744; 2000-$44,149; 2001-$42,581; 2002-$34,580; 2003-$33,131; and thereafter-$307,331. The following is a schedule of rent expense:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum rent: Store locations $19,167 $16,869 $15,468 Offices, warehouses and equipment 19,208 17,811 17,815 Store locations percentage rent 8,603 12,542 13,673 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total rent expense $46,978 $47,222 $46,956 ==========================================================================
Note 12: Stock Based Compensation The Company has a stock option plan (the "Plan") administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") under which stock options, performance shares and restricted stock are granted to key employees of the Company. Stock options are issued at the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Time-vested options vest over periods ranging from four to five years, and expire after ten years after the date of grant. Performance based options vest upon reaching certain financial goals, and expire in five to ten years after the date of grant. Page 39 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 12 continued) In 1998, the Committee granted 185,202 performance shares which will vest over three years if certain financial goals are attained. Employees may elect to receive common stock or cash upon vesting of these performance shares. The Committee also granted 180,000 shares of restricted stock which vest over five years. No monetary consideration is paid by employees who receive performance shares or restricted stock. The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 in accounting for compensation costs under the Plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for time- vested stock options because the option price equals the market price on the date of grant. For performance based stock options and performance shares, compensation expense is recorded over the performance period based on the fair market value of the stock at the date it is determined that such options or shares have been earned, reduced, in the case of performance based options, by the exercise price of the options. For restricted stock grants, compensation expense is based on the market price on the date of grant and is recorded over the vesting period. Compensation expense for performance based stock options, performance shares and restricted stock was $9,545 in 1998. If the Company had elected to follow the measurement provisions of SFAS No. 123 in accounting for its stock options, compensation expense would be recognized based on the fair value of the options at the date of grant. To estimate compensation expense which would be recognized under SFAS 123, the Company used the modified Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for options granted in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 5.2%, 5.4% and 6.4%; expected volatility factors of .46, .32 and .33; expected dividend yield of 1% for all years; and expected life of 5, 5 and 7 years. If SFAS 123 were used to account for the Company's stock based compensation programs, the pro forma net earnings and earnings per share would be as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~Pro forma net earnings $201,499 $183,618 $145,603 Pro forma basic earnings per share $1.38 $1.18 $ .90 Pro forma diluted earnings per share $1.37 $1.18 $ .90~~
The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma disclosure are not indicative of future amounts as awards prior to 1995 are not included, and additional awards in future years are anticipated. The number of shares reserved for future stock option grants pursuant to the Plan is 6,155,093 at January 31, 1999. Page 40 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 12 continued) Stock option activity for the Plan was as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Average Exercise Exercise Exercise Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding, beginning of year 3,401,602 $21 3,719,506 $19 4,202,678 $18 Granted 3,252,217 31 692,764 26 744,244 23 Exercised (599,593) 18 (838,478) 17 (858,838) 16 Cancelled (160,594) 27 (172,190) 22 (368,578) 20 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding, end of year 5,893,632 $27 3,401,602 $21 3,719,506 $19 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Options exercisable at end of year 2,544,092 $23 1,759,464 $19 1,990,744 $18 Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year $14 $ 9 $10
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of January 31, 1999:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weighted- Average Weighted- Weighted- Remaining Average Average Range of Contractual Exercise Exercise Exercise Prices Shares Life (Years) Price Shares Price - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $11 - $23 1,979,798 6 $20 1,398,384 $19 $24 - $29 2,475,234 9 $28 1,051,365 $28 $30 - $38 1,438,600 9 $33 94,343 $31 -------------------------------------------------------------- 5,893,632 8 $27 2,544,092 $23
Page 41 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 13: Supplementary Cash Flow Information Supplementary cash flow information includes the following:
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~Cash paid during the year for: Interest (net of capitalized interest) $ 44,418 $ 35,351 $ 43,356 Income taxes 126,157 126,606 106,982~~
Note 14: Segment Reporting In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which established reporting and disclosure standards for an enterprise's operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the Company's senior management. The Company has two reportable segments which have been identified based on differences in products and services offered and regulatory conditions, the Retail Stores and the Credit Operations segments. The Retail Stores segment derives its sales from high quality apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children, sold through retail store locations. It includes the Company's Product Development Group which coordinates the design and production of private label merchandise sold in the Company's retail stores. Credit Operations segment revenues consist primarily of finance charges earned through issuance of the Nordstrom proprietary and VISA credit cards. The Company's senior management utilizes various measurements to assess segment performance and to allocate resources to segments. The measurements used to compute net earnings for reportable segments are consistent with those used to compute net earnings for the Company. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. Corporate and Other includes sales from the Company's direct sales catalog division, as well as certain expenses and a portion of interest expense which are not allocated to the operating segments. Intersegment revenues primarily consist of fees for credit card services and are based on fees charged by third party cards. The following tables set forth the information for the Company's reportable segments and a reconciliation to the consolidated totals:
Retail Credit Corporate Elimi- Year ended January 31, 1999 Stores Operations and Other nations Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales and revenues to external customers $4,822,705 - $205,185 - $5,027,890 Service charge income - $119,926 - - 119,926 Intersegment revenues - 26,736 - $(26,736) - Interest, net - 31,139 16,488 (536) 47,091 Depreciation 166,002 764 13,342 - 180,108 Income tax expense (benefit) 182,800 16,200 (68,000) - 131,000 Net earnings 288,503 25,606 (107,386) - 206,723 Assets (a) 2,040,938 607,255 467,214 - 3,115,407 Additions to land, buildings and equipment 263,516 1,357 25,711 - 290,584
Page 42 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 14 continued)
Retail Credit Corporate Elimi- Year ended January 31, 1998 Stores Operations and Other nations Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales and revenues to external customers $4,695,054 - $156,570 - $4,851,624 Service charge income - $122,026 - - 122,026 Intersegment revenues - 27,400 - $(27,400) - Interest, net - 36,187 (1,170) (767) 34,250 Depreciation 147,847 667 10,455 - 158,969 Income tax expense (benefit) 152,700 10,300 (42,000) - 121,000 Net earnings 235,122 15,895 (64,804) - 186,213 Assets (a) 1,956,527 681,391 242,906 - 2,880,824 Additions to land, buildings and equipment 221,384 242 38,309 - 259,935

Retail Credit Corporate Elimi- Year ended January 31, 1997 Stores Operations and Other nations Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales and revenues to external customers $4,348,664 - $104,399 - $4,453,063 Service charge income - $141,304 - - 141,304 Intersegment revenues - 27,837 - $(27,837) - Interest, net - 42,473 (958) (2,115) 39,400 Depreciation 144,578 678 9,866 - 155,122 Income tax expense (benefit) 120,300 11,300 (35,600) - 96,000 Net earnings 184,834 17,326 (54,655) - 147,505 Assets (a) 1,813,694 735,899 167,062 - 2,716,655 Additions to land, buildings and equipment 186,223 885 17,170 - 204,278
(a) Segment assets in Corporate and Other include assets of the direct sales catalog division and unallocated assets in corporate headquarters, consisting primarily of land, buildings and equipment, and deferred tax assets. Note 15: Contingent Liabilities Because all of the lawsuits described below are in their preliminary stages and no discovery has commenced, the Company is not in a position at this time to quantify the amount or range of any possible losses related to those claims. The Company intends to vigorously defend the described cases and, while no assurances can be given as to the ultimate outcomes of these lawsuits, based on its preliminary investigation, management currently believes that resolving these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position. Page 43 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Note 15 continued) Cosmetics. The Company is one of nine defendants in nine separate but substantially identical lawsuits filed in various Superior Courts of the State of California in May, June and July of 1998. The cases, which have now been consolidated in Marin County, seek class certification for all California residents who purchased cosmetics for personal use. The complaints allege that the Company and other department stores collusively control the sale price of cosmetics by charging identical prices, agreeing not to discount cosmetics and urging cosmetic manufacturers to refuse to sell to stores which discount cosmetics. The plaintiffs seek treble damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys' fees and prejudgment interest. Nine West. The Company is one of 11 defendants in 12 substantially identical lawsuits filed in Federal District Court in New York in January and February of 1999. In addition to Nine West, a manufacturer of non-athletic footwear, other defendants include various department stores and specialty retailers. The lawsuits purport to be brought on behalf of a class of persons who purchased Nine West footwear from the defendants and allege that the retailer defendants conspired with Nine West and with each other by agreeing to minimum prices to be charged for Nine West shoes. The plaintiffs seek treble damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys' fees and prejudgment interest. Saipan. The Company is one of 28 defendants in an action filed in Federal District Court in Los Angeles on January 13, 1999. A companion action was contemporaneously filed in state court in San Francisco against 18 defendants, including the Company, and on January 14, 1999 another action (not naming the Company) was filed in Federal Court in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands against 22 garment manufacturers located in Saipan. The Los Angeles Federal District Court case purports to be filed as a class action on behalf of persons who have been employed in garment factories since 1988. The three lawsuits allege 'sweatshop' conditions in certain Saipan factories, some of which manufacture clothing which has been sold to the Company. The Company is also subject to other routine litigation incidental to its business and with respect to which no material liability is expected. Note 16: Selected Quarterly Data (unaudited)
Year ended January 31, 1999 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales $1,040,215 $1,447,284 $1,094,349 $1,446,042 $5,027,890 Gross profit 341,915 476,041 377,249 487,740 1,682,945 Earnings before income taxes 52,837 113,062 63,175 108,649 337,723 Net earnings 32,337 69,162 38,675 66,549 206,723 Basic earnings per share .22 .47 .27 .47 1.41 Diluted earnings per share .21 .47 .27 .47 1.41 Dividends per share .07 .07 .08 .08 .30 Year ended January 31, 1998 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales $953,747 $1,353,345 $1,089,784 $1,454,748 $4,851,624 Gross profit 307,235 428,991 365,703 453,882 1,555,811 Earnings before income taxes 53,349 96,686 59,645 97,533 307,213 Net earnings 32,349 58,586 36,145 59,133 186,213 Basic and diluted earnings per share .21 .38 .23 .38 1.20 Dividends per share .0625 .0625 .07 .07 .265
Page 44 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Management and Independent Auditors' Reports Management Report The accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the other financial information presented in this Annual Report have been prepared by management. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts that are based upon our best estimates and judgments. Management is responsible for the consolidated financial statements, as well as the other financial information in this Annual Report. The Company maintains an effective system of internal accounting control. We believe that this system provides reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in accordance with management authorization, and that they are appropriately recorded, in order to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to adequately safeguard, verify and maintain accountability for assets. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on the recognition that the cost of a system of internal control should not exceed the benefits derived. The consolidated financial statements and related notes have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants. The accompanying auditors' report expresses an independent professional opinion on the fairness of presentation of management's financial statements. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of the outside directors, and is responsible for recommending the independent certified public accounting firm to be retained for the coming year, subject to shareholder approval. The Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent auditors, as well as with management and the internal auditors, to review accounting, auditing, internal accounting controls and financial reporting matters. The independent auditors and the internal auditors also meet privately with the Audit Committee. Michael A. Stein Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Independent Auditors' Report We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, in 1998 the Company changed its method of accounting for certain software costs to conform with Statement of Position 98-1 of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Deloitte & Touche LLP Seattle, Washington; March 12, 1999 Page 45 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Ten Year Statistical Summary Dollars in thousands except square footage and per share amounts
Year ended January 31, 1999 1998 1997 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Position Customer accounts receivable, net $567,661 $641,862 $693,123 Merchandise inventories 750,269 826,045 719,919 Current assets 1,680,407 1,610,658 1,546,547 Current liabilities 768,542 942,606 769,387 Working capital 911,865 668,052 777,160 Working capital ratio 2.19 1.71 2.01 Land, buildings and equipment, net 1,362,400 1,252,513 1,152,454 Long-term debt, including current portion 868,234 420,865 380,632 Debt/capital ratio .4184 .3170 .2698 Shareholders' equity 1,316,653 1,475,058 1,473,192 Shares outstanding 142,114,167 152,518,104 159,269,954 Book value per share 9.26 9.67 9.25 Total assets 3,115,407 2,880,824 2,716,655 Operations Net sales 5,027,890 4,851,624 4,453,063 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 3,344,945 3,295,813 3,082,037 Selling, general and administrative 1,405,270 1,322,929 1,217,590 Interest, net 47,091 34,250 39,400 Service charge income and other, net (107,139) (108,581) (129,469) Total costs and expenses 4,690,167 4,544,411 4,209,558 Earnings before income taxes 337,723 307,213 243,505 Income taxes 131,000 121,000 96,000 Net earnings 206,723 186,213 147,505 Basic earnings per share 1.41 1.20 .91 Diluted earnings per share 1.41 1.20 .91 Dividends per share .30 .265 .25 Net earnings as a percent of net sales 4.11% 3.84% 3.31% Return on average shareholders' equity 14.81% 12.63% 10.19% Sales per square foot for Company-operated stores 362 384 377 Stores 97 92 83 Total square footage 13,593,000 12,614,000 11,754,000
Page 46 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Ten Year Statistical Summary (continued) Dollars in thousands except square footage and per share amounts
Year ended January 31, 1996 1995 1994 1993 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Position Customer accounts receivable, net $874,103 $655,715 $565,151 $584,379 Merchandise inventories 626,303 627,930 585,602 536,739 Current assets 1,612,776 1,397,713 1,314,914 1,219,844 Current liabilities 818,523 679,652 618,154 503,015 Working capital 794,253 718,061 696,760 716,829 Working capital ratio 1.97 2.06 2.13 2.43 Land, buildings and equipment, net 1,103,298 984,195 845,596 824,142 Long-term debt, including current portion 439,943 373,910 438,574 481,945 Debt/capital ratio .3209 .2556 .2911 .3309 Shareholders' equity 1,422,972 1,343,800 1,166,504 1,052,031 Shares outstanding 162,226,288 164,488,196 164,118,256 163,949,594 Book value per share 8.77 8.17 7.11 6.42 Total assets 2,732,619 2,396,783 2,177,481 2,053,170 Operations Net sales 4,113,517 3,894,478 3,589,938 3,421,979 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 2,806,250 2,599,553 2,469,304 2,339,107 Selling, general and administrative 1,120,790 1,023,347 940,579 902,083 Interest, net 39,295 30,664 37,646 44,810 Service charge income and other, net (125,130) (94,644) (88,509) (86,140) Total costs and expenses 3,841,205 3,558,920 3,359,020 3,199,860 Earnings before income taxes 272,312 335,558 230,918 222,119 Income taxes 107,200 132,600 90,500 85,500 Net earnings 165,112 202,958 140,418 136,619 Basic earnings per share 1.01 1.24 .86 .83 Diluted earnings per share 1.01 1.23 .86 .83 Dividends per share .25 .1925 .17 .16 Net earnings as a percent of net sales 4.01% 5.21% 3.91% 3.99% Return on average shareholders' equity 11.94% 16.17% 12.66% 13.72% Sales per square foot for Company-operated stores 382 395 383 381 Stores 78 76 74 72 Total square footage 10,713,000 9,998,000 9,282,000 9,224,000
Ten Year Statistical Summary (continued) Dollars in thousands except square footage and per share amounts
Year ended January 31, 1992 1991 1990 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Position Customer accounts receivable, net $585,490 $558,573 $519,656 Merchandise inventories 506,632 448,344 419,976 Current assets 1,177,638 1,090,379 1,011,148 Current liabilities 547,002 546,084 485,883 Working capital 630,636 544,295 525,265 Working capital ratio 2.15 2.00 2.08 Land, buildings and equipment, net 856,404 806,191 691,937 Long-term debt, including current portion 511,000 489,172 468,412 Debt/capital ratio .4074 .4359 .4378 Shareholders' equity 939,231 826,410 733,250 Shares outstanding 163,688,454 163,475,820 163,169,420 Book value per share 5.74 5.06 4.49 Total assets 2,041,875 1,902,589 1,707,420 Operations Net sales 3,179,820 2,893,904 2,671,114 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 2,169,437 2,000,250 1,829,383 Selling, general and administrative 831,505 747,770 669,159 Interest, net 49,106 52,228 49,121 Service charge income and other, net (87,443) (84,660) (55,958) Total costs and expenses 2,962,605 2,715,588 2,491,705 Earnings before income taxes 217,215 178,316 179,409 Income taxes 81,400 62,500 64,500 Net earnings 135,815 115,816 114,909 Basic earnings per share .83 .71 .70 Diluted earnings per share .83 .71 .70 Dividends per share .155 .15 .14 Net earnings as a percent of net sales 4.27% 4.00% 4.30% Return on average shareholders' equity 15.38% 14.85% 16.74% Sales per square foot for Company-operated stores 388 391 398 Stores 68 63 59 Total square footage 8,590,000 7,655,000 6,898,000
Page 47 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Officers, Directors and Committees Chairman John J. Whitacre 46, Chairman of the Board of Directors Co-Presidents Blake W. Nordstrom 38, Co-President Erik B. Nordstrom 35, Co-President J. Daniel Nordstrom 36, Co-President James A. Nordstrom 37, Co-President Peter E. Nordstrom 36, Co-President William E. Nordstrom 35, Co-President Executive Vice Presidents Jammie Baugh 45, Executive Vice President Northwest General Manager Gail A. Cottle 47, Executive Vice President Nordstrom Product Development General Manager Dale C. Crichton 50, Executive Vice President Cosmetics Corporate Merchandise Manager Robert J. Middlemas 42, Executive Vice President Central States General Manager James R. O'Neal 40, Executive Vice President Southwest General Manager Michael A. Stein 49, Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer Susan A. Wilson Tabor 53, Executive Vice President The Rack General Manager Martha S. Wikstrom 42, Executive Vice President East Coast General Manager Vice Presidents Laurie M. Black 39, Vice President Women's Specialized Apparel Divisional Merchandise Manager Northwest and Southwest Group Victoria B. Dellinger 39, Vice President Direct Sales Division General Manager Joseph V. Demarte 47, Vice President Human Resources Annette S. Dresser 38, Vice President Women's Apparel Corporate Merchandise Manager Linda Toschi Finn 51, Vice President Sales Promotion Tamela J. Hickel 38, Vice President East Coast - South Regional Manager Darrel J. Hume 51, Vice President Central States Regional Manager Darren R. Jackson 34, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Treasurer Bonnie M. Junell 42, Vice President Brass Plum and Kids Wear Divisional Merchandise Manager Northwest and Southwest Group Kevin T. Knight 43, Vice President President Nordstrom National Credit Bank/Nordstrom Credit, Inc. General Manager of the Credit Business Unit Llynn (Len) A. Kuntz 38, Vice President East Coast - North Regional Manager David P. Lindsey 49, Vice President Store Planning David L. Mackie 50, Vice President Legal and Real Estate Jack H. Minuk 44, Vice President Women's Shoes Corporate Merchandise Manager Charles T. Mitchell 51, Vice President Information Services Suzanne R. Patneaude 52, Vice President Designer Apparel Corporate Merchandise Manager Page 48 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Officers, Directors and Committees (Vice Presidents continued) Joel T. Stinson 49, Vice President Operations Dana K. Summers 39, Vice President Chief Information Officer Delena M. Sunday 38, Vice President Diversity Affairs Geevy S.K. Thomas 34, Vice President Los Angeles/Orange County Regional Manager Other Officer N. Claire Stack 37, Corporate Secretary Directors D. Wayne Gittinger 66, Director; Partner, Lane Powell Spears Lubersky Seattle, WA Enrique Hernandez, Jr. 43, Director; President and CEO, Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. Pasadena, CA Ann D. McLaughlin 57, Director; Chairman, The Aspen Institute Aspen, CO John A. McMillan 67, Director Bruce A. Nordstrom 65, Director John N. Nordstrom 61, Director Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. 54, Director; Director of the Harold Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Associate Professor of Business Economics, The Anderson School at UCLA Los Angeles, CA William D. Ruckelshaus 66, Director; A Principal in Madrona Investment Group, LLC Seattle, WA Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan 70, Director; President, Salar Enterprises Portland, OR John J. Whitacre 46, Chairman of the Board of Directors Bruce G. Willison 50, Director Committees Executive John A. McMillan Bruce A. Nordstrom John N. Nordstrom Audit Enrique Hernandez, Jr. Ann D. McLaughlin, Chair Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. William D. Ruckelshaus Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan Bruce G. Willison Compensation and Stock Option D. Wayne Gittinger Ann D. McLaughlin John A. McMillan Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. William D. Ruckelshaus, Chair Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan Finance Enrique Hernandez, Jr. John N. Nordstrom Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., Chair Bruce G. Willison Corporate Governance and Nominating D. Wayne Gittinger, Chair Ann D. McLaughlin William D. Ruckelshaus Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan Profit Sharing and Benefits Joseph V. Demarte, Chair D. Wayne Gittinger Peter E. Nordstrom William E. Nordstrom John J. Whitacre Page 49 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Retail Store Facilities The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each of the stores operated by the Company. The Company also operates seven distribution centers and owns or leases other space for administrative functions.
Present Year opened total store Location Store Name or acquired area/sq. ft. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Southwest Group Arizona Scottsdale Fashion Square 1998 235,000 California Arcadia Santa Anita Fashion Park 1994 151,000 Brea Brea Mall 1979 195,000 Canoga Park Topanga Plaza 1984 154,000 Cerritos Los Cerritos Center 1981 122,000 Corte Madera The Village at Corte Madera 1985 116,000 Costa Mesa South Coast Plaza 1978 235,000 Escondido North County Fair 1986 156,000 Glendale Glendale Galleria 1983 147,000 Los Angeles Westside Pavilion 1985 150,000 Montclair Montclair Plaza 1986 134,000 Palo Alto Stanford Shopping Center 1984 187,000 Pleasanton Stoneridge Mall 1990 173,000 Redondo Beach The Galleria at South Bay 1985 161,000 Riverside The Galleria at Tyler 1991 164,000 Sacramento Arden Fair Mall 1989 190,000 San Diego Fashion Valley Center 1981 220,000 San Diego Horton Plaza 1985 151,000 San Diego University Towne Centre 1984 130,000 San Francisco Stonestown Galleria 1988 174,000 San Francisco San Francisco Centre 1988 350,000 San Mateo Hillsdale Shopping Center 1982 149,000 Santa Ana MainPlace Mall 1987 169,000 Santa Barbara Paseo Nuevo Mall 1990 186,000 Santa Clara Valley Fair 1987 165,000 Walnut Creek Broadway Plaza 1984 193,000 East Coast Group Connecticut Farmington Westfarms Mall 1997 189,000 Georgia Atlanta Perimeter Mall 1998 243,000

Present Year opened total store Location Store Name or acquired area/sq. ft. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ East Coast Group (continued) Maryland Annapolis Annapolis Mall 1994 162,000 Bethesda Montgomery Mall 1991 225,000 Towson Towson Town Center 1992 205,000 Pennsylvania King of Prussia King of Prussia Plaza 1996 238,000 New Jersey Edison Menlo Park Mall 1991 266,000 Freehold Freehold Raceway Mall 1992 174,000 Millburn The Mall at Short Hills 1995 188,000 Paramus Garden State Plaza 1990 282,000 New York Garden City Roosevelt Field Mall 1997 241,000 White Plains The Westchester Mall 1995 219,000 Virginia Arlington The Fashion Centre 1989 241,000 at Pentagon City McLean Tysons Corner Center 1988 253,000 Central States Group Kansas Overland Park Oak Park Mall 1998 219,000 Illinois Oakbrook Oakbrook Center 1991 249,000 Schaumburg Woodfield Shopping Center 1995 215,000 Skokie Old Orchard Center 1994 209,000 Indiana Indianapolis Circle Centre Mall 1995 216,000 Michigan Troy Somerset Collection North 1996 258,000 Minnesota Bloomington Mall of America 1992 240,000 Ohio Beachwood Beachwood Place 1997 231,000 Texas Dallas Dallas Galleria 1996 249,000
Page 50 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Present Year opened total store Location Store Name or acquired area/sq. ft. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northwest Group Alaska Anchorage Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall 1975 97,000 Colorado Denver Park Meadows Mall 1996 245,000 Oregon Portland Clackamas Town Center 1981 121,000 Portland Downtown Portland 1966 174,000 Portland Lloyd Center 1963 150,000 Salem Salem Center 1980 71,000 Tigard Washington Square 1974 189,000 Utah Murray Fashion Place Mall 1981 110,000 Salt Lake City Crossroads Plaza 1980 140,000 Washington Bellevue Bellevue Square 1967 285,000 Lynnwood Alderwood Mall 1979 127,000 Seattle Downtown Seattle 1963 383,000 Seattle Northgate Mall 1965 122,000 Spokane Riverpark Square 1974 121,000 Tacoma Tacoma Mall 1966 134,000 Tukwila Southcenter Mall 1968 170,000 Vancouver Vancouver Mall 1977 71,000 Yakima Downtown Yakima 1972 44,000 Other Faconnable Beverly Hills, CA 1997 17,000 Costa Mesa, CA 1997 8,000 New York, NY 1993 10,000 Women's Ala Moana Honolulu, HI 1997 14,000 Men's Ala Moana Honolulu, HI 1997 8,000 1 Excludes approximately 278,000 square feet of corporate and administrative offices.

Present Year opened total store Location Store Name or acquired area/sq. ft. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rack Group Phoenix, AZ Last Chance 1992 48,000 Chino, CA Chino Town Square Rack 1987 30,000 Colma, CA 280 Metro Center Rack 1987 31,000 Costa Mesa, CA Metro Point Rack 1983 50,000 San Diego, CA Mission Valley Rack 1985 57,000 San Jose, CA Westgate Mall Rack 1998 48,000 San Leandro, CA Marina Square Rack 1990 44,000 Woodland Hills, CA Woodland Hills Rack 1984 48,000 Littleton, CO Meadows Market Place Rack 1998 34,000 Northbrook, IL Village Square Rack 1996 40,000 Schaumburg, IL Woodfield Rack 1994 45,000 Silver Spring, MD City Place Rack 1992 37,000 Towson, MD Towson Rack 1992 31,000 Bloomington, MN Mall of America Rack 1998 41,000 Hempstead, NY The Mall at the Source Rack 1997 48,000 Beaverton, OR Tanasbourne Rack 1998 53,000 Portland, OR Clackamas Rack 1983 28,000 Portland, OR Downtown Portland Rack 1986 19,000 Philadelphia, PA Franklin Mills Rack 1993 43,000 Salt Lake City, UT Sugarhouse Center Rack 1991 31,000 Woodbridge, VA Potomac Mills Rack 1990 46,000 Auburn, WA SuperMall Rack 1995 48,000 Bellevue, WA Factoria Square Rack 1997 46,000 Lynnwood, WA Alderwood Rack 1985 25,000 Seattle, WA Downtown Seattle Rack 1987 42,000
Page 51 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Shareholder Information Independent Auditors Deloitte & Touche LLP Counsel Lane Powell Spears Lubersky Transfer Agent and Registrar ChaseMellon Shareholder Services Telephone (800) 318-7045 General Offices 1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101-1742 Telephone (206) 628-2111 Annual Meeting May 18, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time John W. Nordstrom conference room Downtown Seattle Store 1617 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA Form 10-K The Company's Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1999 will be provided to shareholders upon written request to: Nordstrom, Inc. Investor Relations P.O. Box 2737 Seattle, WA 98111 or by calling (206) 233-6301. Shareholder Information Please visit our www.nordstrom.com web site to obtain the latest available information. Page 52 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Page - ---------------------------------------------------------- ~~Net Sales 4 Net Earnings 4 Percentage of 1998 Sales by Merchandise Category 26 Investing and Operating Cash Flows 28 Square Footage by Business Unit at January 31, 1999 29~~

EXHIBIT 21.1 NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Name of Subsidiary State of Incorporation - ------------------ ---------------------- ~~Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Colorado Nordstrom National Credit Bank Colorado~~

5 1,000 12-MOS JAN-31-1999 JAN-31-1999 241,431 0 611,678 24,543 750,269 1,680,407 2,597,263 1,234,863 3,115,407 768,542 804,893 0 0 230,761 1,085,892 3,115,407 5,027,890 5,027,890 3,334,945 4,643,076 0 0 47,091 337,723 131,000 206,723 0 0 0 206,723 1.41 1.41