Nordstrom Reports April 2002 Sales

SEATTLE, May 8, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $418.3 million for the four-week period ending May 4, 2002, an increase of 3.9 percent compared to sales of $402.7 million for the four-week period ending May 5, 2001. Same-store sales declined 1.6 percent.

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

Same-store sales in full-line stores decreased in the Southwest and East Coast geographic regions, but were flat in the Northwest and Central States. Same-store sales increased in the Cosmetics, Women's Designer, Women's Contemporary, and Women's Active Wear merchandise categories.

Preliminary first quarter (February - April) sales of $1.28 billion increased 2.1 percent compared to 2001 first quarter sales of $1.25 billion. Quarterly same-store sales declined 2.1 percent.

Future Reporting Dates

Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is provided in the table below. Please note that beginning in fiscal 2002 (February), sales are presented and reported according to the 4-5-4 retail calendar, after the market close, on the Wednesday before Retail Sales Day. Quarterly financial results will continue to be reported on a calendar basis.

     First Quarter Earnings                Wed., May 15, 2002
     May Sales Release                     Wed., June 5, 2002
     June Sales Release                    Wed., July 10, 2002
     July Sales Release                    Wed., August 7, 2002
     Second Quarter Earnings               Wed., August 14, 2002

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 136 US stores located in 26 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 83 full-line stores, 46 Nordstrom Racks, four Faconnable boutiques, two free-standing shoe stores, and one clearance store. Nordstrom also operates 24 international Faconnable boutiques, primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail catalogs.

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

    Total sales             $418.3        $402.7     $1,280.8      $1,254.5
    Total sales
     percentage change        3.9%          4.6%         2.1%          8.3%

    Same-store sales
     percentage change
      Full-line stores       (2.5%)       (1.2%)         (2.6%)      (0.3%)
      Rack and other stores   5.9%        (2.3%)         1.9%        (5.4%)
      All stores             (1.6%)       (1.3%)         (2.1%)      (0.8%)

    Number of stores
     (as of April 30)
      Full-line                 83            77
      Rack and other            53            45
      International
       Faconnable boutiques     24            20
      Total                    160           142
    Gross square
     footage
     (as of April 30)   17,479,000    16,305,000

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties, including anticipated store openings and distribution channels, planned capital expenditures, and trends in company operations. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the company's ability to source and manage appropriate inventory, predict fashion trends and consumer apparel buying patterns, and control costs and expenses; weather conditions; hazards of nature such as earthquakes and floods; trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs; employee relations; the company's ability to continue its expansion plans; and the impact of economic and competitive market forces, including the effects of recent terrorist activity on the company, its customers and the industry. The company's SEC reports may contain other information on these and other factors, which could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking information we may provide.

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

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SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.

CONTACT:          Media, Shasha Richardson, +1-206-373-3038, or Investors,
                  Stephanie Allen, +1-206-303-3262, both of Nordstrom, Inc.
                  /Photo:  NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO
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                  PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

URL:              http://www.nordstrom.com
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