Loading organizations...
Nordstrom operates as a premier fashion retailer, offering a wide selection of apparel, footwear, and accessories. The company employs an omnichannel approach, integrating physical stores with online platforms to deliver a cohesive shopping experience. It focuses on curated merchandise and dedicated service, assisting customers in expressing their individual style.
Founded in 1901 by Swedish immigrant John W. Nordstrom, the business began as a shoe store in Seattle, Washington. His core insight was to build the enterprise on exceptional customer service and a diverse product range. This commitment to customer experience guided its expansion into a full-line fashion retailer.
Nordstrom serves customers valuing quality fashion and a distinguished shopping journey. The company's mission is to empower individuals to feel good and look their best through tailored assortments and personalized service. It continuously refines its retail approach, striving to uphold its legacy of customer satisfaction.
Key people at Nordstrom.
Nordstrom has 4 tracked investments across 3 companies. The latest tracked deal is $16.0M Series B in Shoes of Prey in December 2015.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2015 | Shoes of Prey | $16.0M Series B | Elaine Stead | Greycroft, Khosla Ventures |
| Jul 2, 2015 | SoleSociety | $8.0M Series B | — | Insight Partners |
| Jul 1, 2014 | Bonobos | $55.0M Series D | Coppel Capital | Accel, Bond, CMFG Ventures, Creandum, DST Global, Flybridge Capital Partners, Forerunner Ventures, Founders Fund, Graypes GmbH, Helium 3 Ventures, Insight Partners, Lakestar, Lightspeed Venture Partners, LUX Capital, Matrix, Northzone, Renegade Partners, Marco Demeireles, TCV, Jabez Dewey, Matt Bellamy, Stefan Blom, TIM Ringel, Felicis Ventures, Forerunner Ventures, Glynn Capital, Charles Heilbronn |
| Apr 12, 2012 | Bonobos | $16.4M Other Equity | Nordstrom | Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners |
Key people at Nordstrom.
Nordstrom, Inc. is an American upmarket department store chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington, specializing in fashion apparel, shoes, and accessories with a focus on exceptional customer service, quality, and value.[1][2][4] Originally a shoe store founded in 1901, it has evolved into a full-line retailer with full-price Nordstrom stores, off-price Nordstrom Rack outlets, and digital platforms like Nordstrom.com, serving customers nationwide and emphasizing personalized shopping experiences.[1][3][4] As of 2025, the company was acquired by the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, marking a return to private ownership amid rising sales and strong Rack division growth.[2]
Nordstrom traces its roots to John W. Nordstrom, a Swedish immigrant who sought fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush, returning to Seattle in 1899 with $13,000 to invest in a shoe business.[1][3] In 1901, he partnered with Seattle shoemaker Carl F. Wallin to open Wallin & Nordstrom at 4th and Pike in Seattle, prioritizing quality shoes and customer service.[1][2][3][4] The store expanded with a second location in 1923; John retired in 1928, selling shares to sons Everett and Elmer, followed by Wallin's retirement in 1929, renaming it Nordstrom in 1930 with Lloyd joining in 1933.[1][2][3][4]
The company shifted from shoes-only to apparel in 1963 by acquiring Best's Apparel, adding men's and children's lines by 1966, and going public as Nordstrom, Inc. in 1971 under third-generation leadership including Bruce Nordstrom.[1][2][4] Key milestones include the first Nordstrom Rack in 1973, nationwide expansion, Nordstrom.com in 1998, and the 2025 family-led acquisition with El Puerto de Liverpool.[1][2][4]
Nordstrom rides the wave of digital retail transformation and omnichannel commerce, launching Nordstrom.com in 1998 to meet rising e-commerce demand and blending it with physical stores for seamless experiences.[1] This timing capitalized on post-1990s internet growth and post-pandemic shifts to hybrid shopping, where market forces like consumer preference for convenience and personalization favor its model amid department store declines.[4] While not a tech startup, Nordstrom influences retail tech by adopting data-driven personalization and logistics innovations, competing in a landscape shaped by Amazon and fast fashion, and expanding Rack's off-price success in value-conscious markets.[2][4]
Post-2025 acquisition by the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, expect accelerated Rack expansion and digital enhancements to sustain sales momentum from 2024 slumps.[2] Trends like AI personalization, sustainable fashion, and experiential retail will shape its path, potentially deepening Latin American ties via the partner. Nordstrom's influence may evolve toward resilient, service-led luxury in a consolidating retail ecosystem, echoing its century-long pivot from a single shoe store to fashion empire.[1][2][6]
