Nordstrom January Same-Store Sales Increase 8.8 Percent

SEATTLE, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $386.2 million for the four-week period ending January 29, 2005, an increase of 8.9 percent compared to sales of $354.7 million for the four-week period ending January 31, 2004. Same-store sales increased 8.8 percent.

Preliminary fourth quarter sales of $2.1 billion increased 9.4 percent compared to 2003 sales of $1.9 billion for the same period. Fourth quarter same store-sales increased 7.2 percent.

Preliminary full-year sales of $7.1 billion increased 10.9 percent compared to sales of $6.4 billion in 2003. Full-year same-store sales increased 8.5 percent.

SALES RECORDING

To hear Nordstrom's prerecorded January sales message, please dial 402-220-6036. This recording will be available for one week.

     SALES SUMMARY
    (unaudited;    January    January       Q4       Q4       FY       FY
     $ in millions)   2005       2004     2004     2003     2004     2003


    Total sales     $386.2     $354.7 $2,100.3 $1,919.2 $7,131.3 $6,430.5
    Total sales
     percentage
     change           8.9%      14.3%     9.4%    11.9%    10.9%     8.4%
    Same-store sales
     percentage
     change           8.8%       8.4%     7.2%     8.3%     8.5%     4.1%

    Number of stores
      Full-line         94         92
      Rack and other    56         56
      International
       Faconnable
       boutiques        31         31
      Total            181        179
    Gross square
     footage    19,397,000 19,138,000


    GAAP SALES PERFORMANCE

The additional information provided in this section is to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation G. The Company converted to a 4-5-4 Retail Calendar at the beginning of 2003. Full-year results for 2003 include one more day than the full-year for 2004. The Company believes that adjusting for this difference provides a more comparable basis from which to evaluate sales performance. The following reconciliation bridges 2003 GAAP sales to the 4-5-4 comparable sales.

                                                               %       %
                                                            Change  Change
                      Sales      FY       FY      Dollar    Total    Comp
        Reconciliation ($M)     2003     2004    Increase   Sales   Sales

        Number of Days GAAP       365       364
                 GAAP Sales   6,448.7   7,131.3     682.6     10.6%    8.2%
     Less Feb. 1, 2003 sales   ($18.2)       --
       Reported 4-5-4 sales   6,430.5   7,131.3     700.8     10.9%    8.5%
        4-5-4 Adjusted Days       364       364


    FUTURE REPORTING DATES

Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is currently planned as follows:

               Fourth Quarter Earnings       Tues., Feb. 15, 2005
               February Sales Release        Thurs., Mar. 3, 2005
               March Sales Release           Thurs., April 7, 2005
               April Sales Release           Thurs., May 5, 2005

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 150 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 94 full-line stores, 49 Nordstrom Racks, five Faconnable boutiques, one free-standing shoe store, and one clearance store. Nordstrom also operates 31 international Faconnable boutiques, primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom serves customers through its online presence at www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail catalogs.

SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc. 02/03/2005
CONTACT: investors, Stephanie Allen, +1-206-303-3262, or press, Deniz
Anders, +1-206-373-3038, both of Nordstrom, Inc.
Web site: www.nordstrom.com