Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 29, 2011

April 28, 2012

OR
o

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromto

___________ to___________

Commission file number: 001-15059

NORDSTROM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington 91-0515058

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

206-628-2111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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.

YESþ NO¨o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YESþ NO¨o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large"large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”" "accelerated filer" and “smaller"smaller reporting company”company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer ¨o
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ¨o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES¨o NOþ

Common stock outstanding as of December 2, 2011: 209,424,143May 23, 2012: 208,010,488 shares

1 of common stock

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Contents


NORDSTROM, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
 
Item 1.
 

  3  
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

October 29, 2011, January 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010

4  

  
5
  
 

  6  
 

  7  
Item 2.
  15  
Item 3.
  
28Item 4.
  
      Item 4.Controls and Procedures.28  
      Item 1A.Risk Factors.29   
Item 2.
  
29Item 5.
  
Item 6.
29  
SIGNATURES30  
31  


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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited).

NORDSTROM, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Amounts in millions except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

   Quarter Ended  Nine Months Ended
   October 29,
2011
  October 30,
2010
  October 29,
2011
  October  30,
2010

Net sales

         $2,383            $2,087            $7,328            $6,494   

Credit card revenues

    95       95       283       290   
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

    2,478       2,182       7,611       6,784   

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs

    (1,511)      (1,331)      (4,619)      (4,139)  

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

            

Retail

    (670)      (569)      (1,989)      (1,715)  

Credit

    (57)      (61)      (171)      (218)  
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before interest and income taxes

    240       221       832       712   

Interest expense, net

    (31)      (31)      (92)      (94)  
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

    209       190       740       618   

Income tax expense

    (82)      (71)      (293)      (237)  
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

         $127            $119            $447            $381   
   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

         $0.60            $0.54            $2.08            $1.74   

Diluted

         $0.59            $0.53            $2.04            $1.71   

Weighted average shares outstanding:

            

Basic

    210.9       219.0       215.3       218.9   

Diluted

    215.0       222.5       219.6       222.6   

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net sales$2,535
 $2,229
Credit card revenues94
 94
Total revenues2,629
 2,323
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs(1,584) (1,385)
Selling, general and administrative expenses:   
Retail(721) (611)
Credit(44) (55)
Earnings before interest and income taxes280
 272
Interest expense, net(40) (31)
Earnings before income taxes240
 241
Income tax expense(91) (96)
Net earnings$149
 $145
    
Earnings per share:   
Basic$0.72
 $0.66
Diluted$0.70
 $0.65
    
Weighted average shares outstanding:   
Basic207.3
 219.0
Diluted211.4
 223.3
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

(Amounts in millions)

(Unaudited)

   October 29, 2011   January 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 

Assets

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $      1,457           $      1,506           $      1,046        

Accounts receivable, net

   1,995           2,026           2,015        

Merchandise inventories

   1,507           977           1,307        

Current deferred tax assets, net

   216           236           238        

Prepaid expenses and other

   147           79           120        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

   5,322           4,824           4,726        

Land, buildings and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $3,769, $3,520 and $3,451)

   2,471           2,318           2,300        

Goodwill

   200           53           53        

Other assets

   346           267           303        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $      8,339           $      7,462           $      7,382        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

   $      1,256           $         846           $      1,054        

Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits

   327           375           296        

Other current liabilities

   698           652           587        

Current portion of long-term debt

   506           6           6        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   2,787           1,879           1,943        

Long-term debt, net

   2,810           2,775           2,806        

Deferred property incentives, net

   511           495           496        

Other liabilities

   335           292           266        

Commitments and contingencies

      

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 210.1, 218.0 and 218.6 shares issued and outstanding

   1,436           1,168           1,138        

Retained earnings

   487           882           752        

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (27)          (29)          (19)       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   1,896           2,021           1,871        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $      8,339           $      7,462           $      7,382        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net earnings$149
 $145
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax1
 1
Comprehensive net earnings$150
 $146
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in millions except per share amounts)

millions)

(Unaudited)

           Accumulated        
           Other        
  Common Stock  Retained  Comprehensive        
      Shares        Amount    Earnings    Loss      Total         

 

 

Balance at January 29, 2011

  218.0          $    1,168              $    882                  $    (29)           $    2,021          

 

 

Net earnings

  —      —          447      —        447          

Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax

  —      —          —      2        2          
     

 

 

 

Comprehensive net earnings

      449          

Dividends ($0.69 per share)

  —      —          (149)     —        (149)         

Issuance of common stock for HauteLook acquisition

  3.5      148          —      —        148          

Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans

  2.9      86          —      —        86          

Stock-based compensation

  0.9      34          —      —        34          

Repurchase of common stock

  (15.2)     —          (693)     —        (693)         

 

 

Balance at October 29, 2011

  210.1          $    1,436              $    487                  $    (27)           $    1,896          

 

 
           Accumulated        
        Other        
  Common Stock  Retained    Comprehensive        
      Shares      Amount      Earnings    Loss      Total         

 

 

Balance at January 30, 2010

  217.7          $    1,066              $    525                  $    (19)           $    1,572          

 

 

Net earnings

  —      —          381      —        381          

Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax

  —      —          —      —        —          
     

 

 

 

Comprehensive net earnings

      381          

Dividends ($0.56 per share)

  —      —          (123)     —        (123)         

Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans

  1.8      46          —      —        46          

Stock-based compensation

  —      26          —      —        26          

Repurchase of common stock

  (0.9)     —          (31)     —        (31)         

 

 

Balance at October 30, 2010

  218.6          $    1,138              $    752                  $    (19)           $    1,871          

 

 

 April 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Assets     
Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents$1,647
 $1,877
 $1,433
Accounts receivable, net2,008
 2,033
 1,969
Merchandise inventories1,372
 1,148
 1,149
Current deferred tax assets, net215
 220
 222
Prepaid expenses and other79
 282
 80
Total current assets5,321
 5,560
 4,853
      
Land, buildings and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $3,865, $3,791 and $3,600)2,472
 2,469
 2,361
Goodwill175
 175
 200
Other assets290
 287
 333
Total assets$8,258
 $8,491
 $7,747
      
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity     
Current liabilities:     
Accounts payable$1,176
 $917
 $1,035
Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits232
 388
 232
Other current liabilities793
 764
 715
Current portion of long-term debt6
 506
 506
Total current liabilities2,207
 2,575
 2,488
      
Long-term debt, net3,137
 3,141
 2,276
Deferred property incentives, net503
 500
 506
Other liabilities328
 319
 343
      
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
      
Shareholders' equity:     
Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 208.6, 207.6 and 219.8 shares issued and outstanding1,557
 1,484
 1,362
Retained earnings570
 517
 800
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(44) (45) (28)
Total shareholders' equity2,083
 1,956
 2,134
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$8,258
 $8,491
 $7,747
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Amounts in millions)

millions except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

   Nine Months Ended 
         October 29, 2011             October 30, 2010     

Operating Activities

    

Net earnings

                  $447                        $  381    

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization expenses

   273         244    

Amortization of deferred property incentives and other, net

   (41)        (40)   

Deferred income taxes, net

   18         (16)   

Stock-based compensation expense

   42         29    

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   17         10    

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   (19)        (10)   

Provision for bad debt expense

   82         125    

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

   (56)        (46)   

Merchandise inventories

   (444)        (362)   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   (62)        (36)   

Accounts payable

   331         267    

Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits

   (53)        (40)   

Other current liabilities

   30         (20)   

Deferred property incentives

   61         77    

Other liabilities

   2         (2)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   628         561    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities

    

Capital expenditures

   (398)        (295)   

Change in credit card receivables originated at third parties

   10         (59)   

Other, net

   (3)        4    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (391)        (350)   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities

    

Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net of discounts

   499         498    

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

   (5)        (354)   

(Decrease) increase in cash book overdrafts

   (20)        2    

Cash dividends paid

   (149)        (123)   

Payments for repurchase of common stock

   (693)        (31)   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   55         23    

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan

   14         13    

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   19         10    

Other, net

   (6)        2    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (286)        40    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (49)        251    

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   1,506         795    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                  $1,457                        $  1,046    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest (net of capitalized interest)

                  $  73                        $  69    

Income taxes

                  $  340                        $  335    

Non-cash investing activity:

    

Issuance of common stock for HauteLook acquisition

                  $  148                        $    —    

       Accumulated 
  
       Other
  
 Common Stock Retained
 Comprehensive
  
 Shares
 Amount
 Earnings
 Loss
 Total
Balance at January 28, 2012207.6
 $1,484
 $517
 $(45) $1,956
Net earnings
 
 149
 
 149
Other comprehensive earnings
 
 
 1
 1
Dividends ($0.27 per share)
 
 (56) 
 (56)
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans1.8
 60
 
 
 60
Stock-based compensation
 13
 
 
 13
Repurchase of common stock(0.8) 
 (40) 
 (40)
Balance at April 28, 2012208.6
 $1,557
 $570
 $(44) $2,083
          
          
       Accumulated
  
       Other
  
 Common Stock Retained
 Comprehensive
  
 Shares
 Amount
 Earnings
 Loss
 Total
Balance at January 29, 2011218.0
 $1,168
 $882
 $(29) $2,021
Net earnings
 
 145
 
 145
Other comprehensive earnings
 
 
 1
 1
Dividends ($0.23 per share)
 
 (50) 
 (50)
Issuance of common stock for HauteLook acquisition3.5
 148
 
 
 148
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans1.3
 36
 
 
 36
Stock-based compensation0.9
 10
 
 
 10
Repurchase of common stock(3.9) 
 (177) 
 (177)
Balance at April 30, 2011219.8
 $1,362
 $800
 $(28) $2,134
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)
 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Operating Activities   
Net earnings$149
 $145
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization expenses101
 86
Amortization of deferred property incentives and other, net(18) (14)
Deferred income taxes, net
 1
Stock-based compensation expense13
 11
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation13
 7
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation(14) (8)
Provision for bad debt expense13
 25
Change in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable(6) 4
Merchandise inventories(204) (143)
Prepaid expenses and other assets2
 (2)
Accounts payable203
 154
Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits(156) (147)
Other current liabilities33
 52
Deferred property incentives21
 29
Other liabilities9
 9
Net cash provided by operating activities159
 209
    
Investing Activities   
Capital expenditures(98) (116)
Change in restricted cash200
 
Change in credit card receivables originated at third parties17
 30
Other, net
 (2)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities119
 (88)
    
Financing Activities   
Principal payments on long-term borrowings(502) (1)
Increase (decrease) in cash book overdrafts48
 (9)
Cash dividends paid(56) (50)
Payments for repurchase of common stock(57) (171)
Proceeds from issuances under stock compensation plans47
 29
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation14
 8
Other, net(2) 
Net cash used in financing activities(508) (194)
    
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(230) (73)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,877
 1,506
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,647
 $1,433
    
Supplemental Cash Flow Information   
Cash paid during the period for:   
Interest (net of capitalized interest)$24
 $12
Income taxes$46
 $36
    
Non-cash investing activity:   
Issuance of common stock for HauteLook acquisition$
 $148
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the accounting policies described and applied in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and reflect all adjustments that are, in management’smanagement's opinion, necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010 are unaudited. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 29, 201128, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures contained in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Our business, like that of other retailers, is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Due to our Anniversary Sale in July, the holidays in December and the half-yearly sales that occur in the second and fourth quarters, our sales are typically higher in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. Accordingly, resultsIn 2012, our Anniversary Sale will shift to the last week of July and the first week of August to align with the historical timing of our sale event. This will move one week of event sales to the third quarter. Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In AprilDecember 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”("ASU") No. 2011-02,A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which has requirements that are disclosure-only in nature. This ASU clarifies existing guidance on whether a loan modification constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) for accounting purposes, and requires certain disclosures related to TDRs. The provisions of this ASU, which are effective with this quarterly report for the period ended October 29, 2011, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04,Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.This ASU clarifies existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, amends certain fair value measurement principles and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements.offsetting and related arrangements for financial instruments and derivative instruments, including gross and net information and evaluation of the effect of netting arrangements on the statement of financial position. We do not expect the provisions of this ASU, which are effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2012,2013, to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05,Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This ASU amends existing presentation and disclosure requirements concerning comprehensive income, most significantly by requiring that comprehensive income be presented with net income in a continuous financial statement, or in a separate but consecutive financial statement. The provisions of this ASU, which are currently effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2012, will result in changes to the presentation of comprehensive net earnings in our consolidated financial statements, but will have no effect on the calculation of net earnings, comprehensive net earnings or earnings per share.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08,Testing for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU amends existing guidance by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit in the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is not less than its carrying amount, further testing is not needed. We do not expect the provisions of this ASU, which are effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2012, to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 2: ACQUISITION

HAUTELOOK

On March 23, 2011, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of HauteLook, Inc., an online private sale retailer offering limited timelimited-time sale events on fashion and lifestyle brands. We believe the acquisition will enable us to participate in the fast-growing private sale marketplace and provide a platform to increase innovation and speed in the way we serve customers across channels. The terms of this acquisition included upfront consideration of $180 in Nordstrom stock and an “earn-out” provision for up to $90 of additional consideration payable in Nordstrom stock over a three-year period, subject to HauteLook’s performance in meeting certain targets for sales and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

HauteLook’s results of operations are included in our consolidated results from the acquisition date, and were not material to our consolidated results for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011. We have not presented pro forma results of operations for periods prior to the acquisition because HauteLook’s results of operations were not material to our consolidated results for any previous period.

Purchase Price$180

Both the $180 upfront payment and the $90 earn-out consideration include amounts attributable to HauteLook employees that are subject to ongoing vesting requirements. These amounts will be recorded as compensation expense as the related service is performed over the respective employee vesting periods of up to four years after the acquisition date. The remaining (non-compensation) consideration was measured at its acquisition-date fair value to determine the purchase price, as summarized in the following table:

   Upfront    Earn-out    Total         
  

 

 

 

Maximum total consideration

          $    180         $    90     $    270          

Less: portion attributable to post-acquisition compensation

   (27)     (15)     (42)         
  

 

 

 

Consideration attributable to purchase price

          $    153         $    75     $    228          
  

 

 

 

Purchase price at fair value

          $    153         $    42     $    195          

The $153 upfront component of the purchase price consisted of 3.5 shares of Nordstrom common stock at a closing stock price of $42 per share on the acquisition date. Earn-out payments will range from $0 to $90, also in Nordstrom common stock with amounts attributable to the purchase price ranging from $0 to $75 and to post-acquisition compensation of $0 to $15. We estimated the $42 acquisition-date fair value of the earn-out attributable to the purchase price using a valuation model, and recorded this amountan "earn-out" provision ultimately settled in other liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of October 29, 2011 the estimated fair value was $39 (see Note 5: Fair Value Measurements). We will adjust the recorded earn-out obligation on a quarterly basis to the extent our projections change based on HauteLook’s actual performance or other factors, with a corresponding charge to expense or credit to income. If HauteLook achieves the maximum performance thresholds, we will incur additional expense of $36 through 2013 associated with adjustments to the recorded earn-out obligation, compared with $39 of income if the minimum targets are not met.

for Net Assets Acquired$30

We allocated the total purchase price of $195 to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on in Nordstrom common stock. On the acquisition date, with the remaining unallocated purchase price recorded as goodwill. As a result of the purchase price allocation, we recorded intangible assets of $62$62 and goodwill of $146,$146, offset by other net liabilities of $13.

Intangible assets consist$13. In the fourth quarter of $272011, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of trademarks/trade names, $20$25, reducing the HauteLook goodwill to $121 due to a reorganization of technologyHauteLook, changes in expected business results and $15 of customer relationships. We estimated the fair valuesmarket dynamics. Additionally, as part of the acquired intangible assets based on discounted cash flow models using estimates and assumptions regarding future operations and cash flows. We will amortize the acquired intangible assets over their estimated livesreorganization, we recorded income of two to seven years on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern of expected economic benefit. We expect to record total amortization expense of $54 associated with these intangible assets over the next five years, including $16 in 2011.

Goodwill of $146 is equal$12 related to the excesssettlement of the purchase price over the net assets recognized and represents the acquisition’s benefits that are not attributable to individually identified and separately recognized assets. These benefits include our expected ability to increase innovation and speed in the way we serve customers across channels, HauteLook’s assembled workforce including its key management and the going-concern valueearn-out liability.




7 of acquiring HauteLook’s business as a whole. We include this goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, in our Retail segment.

829


Table of 31


Contents

NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)



NOTE 3: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

The components of accounts receivable are as follows:

       October 29, 2011           January 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Credit card receivables:

      

Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables

           $    1,344                 $    1,431                 $    1,450      

Nordstrom private label card receivables

   691         672         652      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total credit card receivables

   2,035         2,103         2,102      

Allowance for credit losses

   (125)        (145)        (160)     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit card receivables, net

   1,910         1,958         1,942      

Other accounts receivable

   85         68         73      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

           $    1,995             $    2,026                 $    2,015      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 April 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Credit card receivables:     
Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables$1,309
 $1,347
 $1,367
Nordstrom private label card receivables718
 727
 656
Total credit card receivables2,027
 2,074
 2,023
Allowance for credit losses(105) (115) (135)
Credit card receivables, net1,922
 1,959
 1,888
Other accounts receivable86
 74
 81
Accounts receivable, net$2,008
 $2,033
 $1,969
Other accounts receivable consist primarily of credit and debit card receivables due from third-party financial institutions.

Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the quarterquarters endedApril 28, 2012 and nine months ended October 29,April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010 is as follows:

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
     October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010       October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010   

Allowance at beginning of period

         $        125                   $        175                   $        145                   $        190          

Bad debt provision

   31             28             82             125          

Write-offs

   (37)            (48)            (119)            (168)         

Recoveries

   6             5             17             13          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance at end of period

         $        125                   $        160                   $        125                   $        160          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Allowance at beginning of period$115
 $145
Bad debt provision13
 25
Write-offs(30) (40)
Recoveries7
 5
Allowance at end of period$105
 $135
For purposes of determining impairment and recording the associated allowance for credit losses, we evaluate our credit card receivables on a collective basis as they are composed of large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans and, therefore, are not individually evaluated for impairment.

Under certain circumstances, we may make modifications to payment terms for a customer experiencing financial difficulties in an effort to help the customer avoid bankruptcy and to maximize our recovery of the outstanding balance. These modifications, which meet the definition of troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”("TDRs"), include reduced or waived fees and finance charges, and/or reduced minimum payments. Receivables classified as TDRs were $62,$54, or 3.1%2.7% of our total credit card receivables as of October 29, 2011, $56,April 28, 2012, $58, or 2.7%2.8% of our total credit card receivables as of January 29, 201128, 2012 and $54,$54, or 2.6%2.7% of our total credit card receivables as of OctoberApril 30, 2010.2011. As with other aged receivables in our portfolio, the allowance for credit losses related to receivables classified as TDRs is primarily based on our historical aging and delinquency trends and write-off experience, with qualitative consideration of factors affecting the credit quality of our portfolio, including amounts of and trends in TDRs.


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Table of Contents
NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)
(Unaudited)


Credit Quality

The primary indicators of the credit quality of our credit card receivables are aging and delinquency, particularly the levels of account balances delinquent 30 days or more as these are the accounts most likely to be written off. The following table illustrates the aging and delinquency status of our credit card receivables:

   October 29, 2011   January 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 
   Balance   % of Total   Balance   % of Total   Balance   % of Total 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

    $    1,899         93.3%            $  1,942         92.4%            $    1,929         91.8%      

1 – 29 days delinquent

   80         3.9%         97         4.6%         100         4.7%      

30+ days delinquent:

            

30 – 59 days delinquent

   21         1.1%         24         1.1%         25         1.2%      

60 – 89 days delinquent

   15         0.7%         17         0.8%         19         0.9%      

Greater than 90 days delinquent

   20         1.0%         23         1.1%         29         1.4%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total 30+ days delinquent

    $    56         2.8%            $64         3.0%            $    73         3.5%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total credit card receivables

    $    2,035         100.0%            $2,103         100.0%            $    2,102         100.0%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Receivables not accruing finance charges

    $18              $14              $29        

Receivables greater than 90 days delinquent and still accruing finance charges

    $11              $21              $13        

9 of 31


 April 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
 Balance % of Total Balance % of Total Balance % of Total
Current$1,903
 93.9% $1,928
 93.0% $1,863
 92.1%
1 – 29 days delinquent77
 3.8% 92
 4.4% 92
 4.6%
30+ days delinquent:           
30 – 59 days delinquent17
 0.8% 20
 1.0% 22
 1.1%
60 – 89 days delinquent11
 0.6% 13
 0.6% 17
 0.8%
90 days or more delinquent19
 0.9% 21
 1.0% 29
 1.4%
Total 30+ days delinquent47
 2.3% 54
 2.6% 68
 3.3%
Total credit card receivables$2,027
 100.0% $2,074
 100.0% $2,023
 100.0%
            
Receivables not accruing finance charges$11
   $15
   $14
  
Receivables 90 days or more delinquent and still accruing finance charges$10
   $11
   $15
  
NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 3: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (CONTINUED)

We also evaluate credit quality using FICO credit scores. The following table illustrates the distribution of our credit card receivables across FICO score ranges:

   October 29, 2011   January 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 
FICO Score Range1  Balance   % of Total     Balance   % of Total     Balance   % of Total   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

801+

      $    331         16.3%            $    314         14.9%                $    332         15.8%      

720 – 800

   728         35.7%         731         34.8%         729         34.7%      

660 – 719

   545         26.8%         558         26.5%         550         26.1%      

600 – 659

   253         12.4%         274         13.0%         268         12.8%      

001 – 599

   115         5.7%         155         7.4%         161         7.7%      

Other2

   63         3.1%         71         3.4%         62         2.9%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total credit card receivables

      $    2,035         100.0%            $    2,103         100.0%                $    2,102         100.0%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 April 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
FICO Score Range1
Balance % of Total   Balance % of Total   Balance % of Total  
801+$331
 16.3% $307
 14.8% $304
 15.0%
720 – 800710
 35.1% 741
 35.7% 708
 35.0%
660 – 719539
 26.6% 572
 27.6% 536
 26.5%
600 – 659256
 12.6% 270
 13.0% 255
 12.6%
001 – 599118
 5.8% 120
 5.8% 135
 6.7%
Other2
73
 3.6% 64
 3.1% 85
 4.2%
Total credit card receivables$2,027
 100.0% $2,074
 100.0% $2,023
 100.0%
1Credit scores for our cardholders are typically updated at least every 60 days. Amounts listed in the table reflect the most recently obtained credit scores as of the dates indicated.

  indicated.

2Other consists of amounts not yet posted to customers’customers' accounts and receivables from customers for whom FICO scores are temporarily unavailable.


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Table of Contents
NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)
(Unaudited)


NOTE 4: DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

Debt

A summary of our long-term debt is as follows:

       October 29, 2011           January 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Secured

      

Series 2007-2 Class A Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.06% per year, due April 2012

      $  454                $  454                $  454      

Series 2007-2 Class B Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.18% per year, due April 2012

   46         46             46      

Mortgage payable, 7.68%, due April 2020

   52         55             57      

Other

   13         14             13      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   565         569             570      

Unsecured

      

Senior notes, 6.75%, due June 2014, net of
unamortized discount

   399         399             399      

Senior notes, 6.25%, due January 2018, net of
unamortized discount

   648         647             647      

Senior notes, 4.75%, due May 2020, net of
unamortized discount

   498         498             498      

Senior notes, 4.00%, due October 2021, net of
unamortized discount

   499         —             —      

Senior debentures, 6.95%, due March 2028

   300         300             300      

Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of
unamortized discount

   343         343             343      

Other

   64         25             55      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2,751         2,212             2,242      

Total long-term debt

   3,316         2,781             2,812      

Less: current portion

   (506)        (6)            (6)     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total due beyond one year

      $  2,810                $  2,775                $  2,806      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

10 of 31


 April 28, 2012 January 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Secured     
Series 2007-2 Class A Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.06% per year, due April 2012
 $454
 $454
Series 2007-2 Class B Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.18% per year, due April 2012
 46
 46
Series 2011-1 Class A Notes, 2.28%, due October 2016$325
 325
 
Mortgage payable, 7.68%, due April 202050
 51
 55
Other11
 12
 13
 386
 888
 568
Unsecured     
Senior notes, 6.75%, due June 2014, net of unamortized discount399
 399
 399
Senior notes, 6.25%, due January 2018, net of unamortized discount648
 648
 647
Senior notes, 4.75%, due May 2020, net of unamortized discount498
 498
 498
Senior notes, 4.00%, due October 2021, net of unamortized discount499
 499
 
Senior debentures, 6.95%, due March 2028300
 300
 300
Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of unamortized discount344
 343
 343
Other69
 72
 27
 2,757
 2,759
 2,214
      
Total long-term debt3,143
 3,647
 2,782
Less: current portion(6) (506) (506)
Total due beyond one year$3,137
 $3,141
 $2,276
NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

NOTE 4: DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES (CONTINUED)

On October 5, 2011,In April 2012, we issued $500 of senior unsecured notes at 4.00%, due October 15, 2021. After deducting retired our Series 2007-2 Class A & B Notes ("the original issue discount of $1, net proceeds from the offering were $499. We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the notes for general corporate purposes.

Our interest rate swap agreements (collectively, the “swap”Notes") totaling $500, which havehad been secured by our restricted receivables. The Notes were retired using cash that had been accumulated monthly into a $650 notional amount maturingrestricted account beginning in 2018, are intendedDecember 2011. Prior to hedge the exposure of changes inretirement, the fair value of our fixed-rate senior notes due in 2018 from interest rate risk. Under the swap, we receive a fixed rate of 6.25% and pay a variable rate based on one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.9% (3.1% at October 29, 2011). The swap is designated as a fully effective fair value hedge. As such, the interest rate swap fair value isaccumulated cash was included in other assets or other liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet with an offsetting adjustment to the carrying valuein prepaid expenses and other.

Credit Facilities
As of our long-term debt (included in other unsecured debt in the table above). See Note 5: Fair Value Measurements for additional information about our swap.

On November 22, 2011,April 28, 2012, we issued $325 Series 2011-1 Class A Notes at 2.28%, due October 17, 2016. The notes are secured by a portion of our credit card receivables. We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the noteshad total short-term borrowing capacity available for general corporate purposes.

purposes of Credit Facilities$800

On June 23, 2011,. Of the total capacity, we entered into a newhad $600 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our unsecured revolving credit facility (“revolver”("revolver") with a capacity of $600, which is scheduled to expirethat expires in June 2016. This revolver replaced2016, and $200 under our previous $650 unsecured line of credit which was scheduled to expire2007-A Variable Funding Note ("2007-A VFN") that expires in August 2012. UnderJanuary 2013. During the terms of the revolver,quarter ended April 28, 2012, we pay a variable rate of interest and a commitment fee based on our debt rating. The revolver is available for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including liquidity support forhad no issuances under our commercial paper program. We have the option to increase the revolving commitment by up to $100, to a total of $700, provided that we obtain written consent from the lenders.

program and no borrowings under our revolver or our 2007-A VFN.

The revolver requires that we maintain a leverage ratio, defined as Adjusted Debt to Earnings before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Rent (“EBITDAR”("EBITDAR"), of less than four times. As of October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we were in compliance with this covenant.

Ascovenant.


10 of October 29 2011, we had total short-term borrowing capacity available for general corporate purposes

Table of $900. Of the total capacity, we had $600 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our revolver expiring June 2016,Contents
NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and $300 under our Variable Funding Note facility (“2007-A VFN”) that expiresshare amounts in January 2012. As of October 29, 2011, we had no issuances under our commercial paper programmillions except per share and no borrowings under our revolver or our 2007-A VFN.

per option amounts)
(Unaudited)


NOTE 5: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table presents

We disclose our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy as defined by applicable accounting standards:

       Fair Value    
Hierarchy
        October 29, 2011         January 29, 2011         October 30, 2010     

Assets:

          

Interest rate swap

  Level 2            $    64                    $    25                    $    55          

Liabilities:

          

HauteLook earn-out liability

  Level 3            $    39             —             —          

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: Other observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data that reflect the reporting entity’sentity's own
assumptions

11


We did not have any financial assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of 31


NORDSTROM, INC.April 28, 2012

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS or

(DollarJanuary 28, 2012. The following table presents our financial assets and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of NOTE 5: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)April 30, 2011

We, by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 
Fair Value 
Hierarchy
 April 30, 2011
Assets:   
Interest rate swapLevel 2 $27
Liabilities:   
HauteLook earn-out liabilityLevel 3 $42

Interest Rate Swap
The estimated fair value of our interest rate swap agreements (collectively, the "swap") was a $27 asset as of April 30, 2011. In January 2012, we sold our interest rate swap. During 2011, before the sale of our swap, we estimated the fair value of our interest rate swap based upon observable market-based inputs for identical or comparable arrangements from reputable third-party brokers, adjusted for credit risk (see Note 4: Debtrisk. As such, these were considered Level 2 fair value measurements.

HauteLook Earn-out
The estimated fair value of our HauteLook earn-out was a $42 liability as of April 30, 2011. On November 23, 2011, we settled the earn-out provisions for $30 and Credit Facilities for additional information about our swap). Wehave no remaining liability related to the earn-out. During 2011, before the settlement, we estimated the fair value of the HauteLook earn-out liability using a valuation model based on our expectations of HauteLook’s future performance, estimates of volatility around those expectations and the risk-adjusted discount rate. Prior to the acquisition of HauteLook in March 2011, we did not have anyAs such, this was considered a Level 3 fair value measurements.

The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of our HauteLook earn-out liability for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011:

   Quarter Ended  Nine Months Ended 
      October 29, 2011       October 29, 2011   

Balance at beginning of period

      $44                   $—          

Acquisition of HauteLook

   —            42          

Change in fair value of HauteLook earn-out liability1

   (5)           (3)         
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

      $39                   $39          
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

measurement.


Other
1Included in Retail selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

Financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including current maturities and excluding the remaining fair value ofadjustment from our interest rate swap,previous effective fair value hedge, was $3,687$3,681 as of October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with a carrying value of $3,316.$3,143. We estimated the fair value of long-term debt using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues.

issues, and as such, this is considered a Level 1 fair value measurement.

We also measure certain non-financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurringnon-recurring basis, primarily goodwill and long-lived tangible and intangible assets, in connection with periodic evaluations for potential impairment. We recorded no impairment charges for these assets for the nine monthsquarters ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010.

.

NOTE 6: CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

We are subject from time to time to various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including lawsuits alleging violations of state and/or federal wage and hour and other employment laws, privacy and other consumer-based claims. Some of these lawsuits purport or may be determined to be class or collective actions and seek substantial damages or injunctive relief, or both, and some may remain unresolved for several years. We believe the recorded reserves in our condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities. As of the date of this report, we do not believe any currently identified claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Since these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, our view of them may change in the future.


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Table of Contents
NORDSTROM, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)
(Unaudited)


NOTE 7: SHAREHOLDERS’SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

In August 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a program (the “2010 Program”) to repurchase up to $500 of our outstanding common stock, through January 28, 2012.

In May 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a new program (the “2011 Program”"2011 Program") to repurchase up to $750$750 of our outstanding common stock, through February 2, 2013,2013. In February 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a new program (the "2012 Program") to repurchase up to $800 of our outstanding common stock, through February 1, 2014, in addition to the remaining amount available for repurchase under the 20102011 Program. For the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we repurchased 15.20.8 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $693,$40 and had $468$1,070 in remaining share repurchase capacity. The actual number and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to market and economic conditions.

12 of 31


NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollarconditions and share amounts in millions except per shareapplicable Securities and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)

Exchange Commission rules.

NOTE 8: STOCKSTOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense:

  Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended 
    October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010        October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010   

Stock options

       $8                 $8                  $26                 $25          

HauteLook stock compensation

  3            —             9            —          

Performance share units

  3            1             4            2          

Employee stock purchase plan

  —            —             1            1          

Other

  —            —             2            1          
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, before income tax benefit

       $14                 $9                  $42                 $29          

Income tax benefit

  (5)           (4)            (16)           (11)         
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit

       $9                 $5                  $26                 $18          
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Stock options$10
 $8
HauteLook stock compensation2
 2
Performance share units
 1
Employee stock purchase plan1
 
Total stock-based compensation expense, before income tax benefit$13
 $11
Income tax benefit(4) (4)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit$9
 $7
During the nine monthsquarters ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010,, we granted 2.72.9 and 2.62.7 options with weighted average grant-date fair values per option of $15 and $13.

As discussed$15 in Note 2: Acquisition, portions of both the upfront and earn-out consideration for our acquisition of HauteLook are payable in Nordstrom stock, subject to ongoing vesting requirements for HauteLook’s employees. These amounts will therefore be recorded as compensation expense as the related service is performed over the respective employee vesting periods of up to four years after the acquisition date (subject also to HauteLook’s financial performance in the case of the earn-out consideration). These shares are not issued from our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, but rather from our unallocated and unissued shares.

each period.

NOTE 9: EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

  Quarter Ended    Nine Months Ended 
    October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010        October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010   

Net earnings

       $127             $119              $447             $381      
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic shares

  210.9        219.0         215.3        218.9      

Dilutive effect of stock options and other

  4.1        3.5         4.3        3.7      
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted shares

  215.0        222.5         219.6        222.6      
 

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings per basic share

       $0.60             $0.54              $2.08             $1.74      

Earnings per diluted share

       $0.59             $0.53              $2.04             $1.71      

Anti-dilutive stock options and other

  3.8        7.1         4.0        7.0      

13

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net earnings$149
 $145
    
Basic shares207.3
 219.0
Dilutive effect of stock options and other4.1
 4.3
Diluted shares211.4
 223.3
    
Earnings per basic share$0.72
 $0.66
Earnings per diluted share$0.70
 $0.65
    
Anti-dilutive stock options and other6.0
 4.5

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NORDSTROM, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts)

(Unaudited)



NOTE 10: SEGMENT REPORTING

The following tables set forth information for our reportable segments:

   Retail   Credit   Corporate/Other   Total 

Quarter Ended October 29, 2011

        

Net sales

   $    2,350       —         $          33              $    2,383       

Credit card revenues

   —       $            95         —              95       

Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes

   307       22         (89)             240       

Interest expense, net

   —       (2)        (29)             (31)      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   307       20         (118)             209       

Quarter Ended October 30, 2010

        

Net sales

   $    2,051       —         $          36              $    2,087       

Credit card revenues

   —       $            95         —              95       

Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes

   278       21         (78)             221       

Interest expense, net

   —       (4)        (27)             (31)      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   278       17         (105)             190       

Nine Months Ended October 29, 2011

        

Net sales

   $    7,427       —         $        (99)             $    7,328       

Credit card revenues

   —       $          283         —              283       

Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes

   1,061       60         (289)             832       

Interest expense, net

   —       (9)        (83)             (92)      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   1,061       51         (372)             740       

Goodwill

   200       —         —              200       

Total assets

   3,949       2,338         2,052              8,339       

Nine Months Ended October 30, 2010

        

Net sales

   $    6,565       —         $        (71)             $    6,494       

Credit card revenues

   —       $          290         —              290       

Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes

   931       25         (244)             712       

Interest expense, net

   —       (16)        (78)             (94)      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

   931       9         (322)             618       

Goodwill

   53       —         —              53       

Total assets

   3,319       2,031   ��     2,032              7,382       

 Retail Credit Corporate/Other Total
Quarter ended April 28, 2012       
Net sales$2,576
 
 $(41) $2,535
Credit card revenues
 $94
 
 94
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes372
 27
 (119) 280
Interest expense, net
 (6) (34) (40)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes372
 21
 (153) 240
Goodwill175
 
 
 175
        
Quarter ended April 30, 2011      
Net sales$2,259
 
 $(30) $2,229
Credit card revenues
 $94
 
 94
Earnings (loss) before interest and income taxes347
 25
 (100) 272
Interest expense, net
 (4) (27) (31)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes347
 21
 (127) 241
Goodwill200
 
 
 200
The following table summarizes net sales within our reportable segments:

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
       October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010           October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Nordstrom

   $      1,773              $      1,615              $      5,825              $      5,331           

Nordstrom Rack

   528              427              1,478              1,209           

Other retail1

   49              9              124              25           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Retail segment

   2,350              2,051              7,427              6,565           

Corporate/Other

   33              36              (99)             (71)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

   $      2,383              $      2,087              $      7,328              $     6,494           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Nordstrom full-line stores$1,716
 $1,599
Direct242
 168
Nordstrom1,958
 1,767
Nordstrom Rack557
 466
Other retail1
61
 26
Total Retail segment2,576
 2,259
Corporate/Other(41) (30)
Total net sales$2,535
 $2,229
1Other retail includes our HauteLook online private sale subsidiary, our Jeffrey stores and our treasure&bond store.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain or may suggest “forward-looking”"forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, anticipated financial results (including, but not limited to, ouroutlook for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2013, anticipated total andannual same-store sales results, credit card revenues, gross profit rate, selling, general and administrative expenses, net interest expense, effective tax rate, earnings per share, operating cash flows andanticipated Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”)), anticipated store openings, capital expenditures, dividend payout,and trends in our operations, compliance with debt covenants, outcome of claims and litigation, the anticipated financial performance of HauteLook and the anticipated impact of the HauteLook acquisition on the company’s performance.operations. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’scompany's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially from historical results or current expectations depending upon factors including, but not limited to:

the impact of economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns,

our ability to maintain our relationships with vendors,

our ability to respond to the business environment, fashion trends and consumer preferences, including changing expectations of service and experience in stores and online,

effective inventory management,

successful execution of our growth strategy, including possible expansion into new markets, technological investments and acquisitions, including our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions, and the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations and remodels, which may be impacted by the financial health of third parties,

our ability to maintain relationships with our employees and to effectively attract, develop and retain our future leaders,

successful execution of our multi-channel strategy,

our compliance with applicable banking and related laws and regulations impacting our ability to extend credit to our customers,

impact of the current regulatory environment and financial system and health care reforms,

the impact of any systems failures and/or security breaches, including any security breaches that result in the theft, transfer or unauthorized disclosure of customer, employee or company information or our compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations in the event of such an incident,

our compliance with employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to us,

trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs,

changes in interest rates,

efficient and proper allocation of our capital resources,

availability and cost of credit,

our ability to safeguard our brand and reputation,

successful execution of our information technology strategy,

weather conditions, natural disasters, health hazards or other market disruptions, or the prospects of these events and the impact on consumer spending patterns,

disruptions in our supply chain,

the geographic locations of our stores,

the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns,

our ability to control costs and

the timing and amounts of share repurchases by the company, if any, or any share issuances by the company, including issuances associated with option exercises or other matters.

the impact of economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns,
our ability to respond to the business environment, fashion trends and consumer preferences, including changing expectations of service and experience in stores and online,
effective inventory management,
successful execution of our growth strategy, including possible expansion into new markets, technological investments and acquisitions, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions, and the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations and remodels, all of which may be impacted by the financial health of third parties,
our ability to manage the change in our business/financial model as we increase our investment in e-commerce and our online business,
our ability to maintain relationships with our employees and to effectively attract, develop and retain our future leaders,
successful execution of our multi-channel strategy,
our compliance with applicable banking and related laws and regulations impacting our ability to extend credit to our customers,
impact of the current regulatory environment and financial system and health care reforms,
the impact of any systems failures, cybersecurity and/or security breaches, including any security breaches that result in the theft, transfer or unauthorized disclosure of customer, employee or company information or our compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations in the event of such an incident,
our compliance with employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to us, including the outcome of claims and litigation and resolution of tax matters,
compliance with debt covenants and availability and cost of credit,
our ability to safeguard our brand and reputation,
successful execution of our information technology strategy,
our ability to maintain our relationships with vendors,
trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs,
changes in interest rates,
efficient and proper allocation of our capital resources,
weather conditions, natural disasters, health hazards or other market disruptions, or the prospects of these events and the impact on consumer spending patterns,
disruptions in our supply chain,
the geographic locations of our stores,
the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns,
our ability to control costs and
the timing and amounts of share repurchases by the company, if any, or any share issuances by the company, including issuances associated with option exercises or other matters.
These and other factors, including those factors described in Part I, “Item"Item 1A. Risk Factors”Factors" in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” on page 29 of this report, could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information we may provide. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


OVERVIEW

Our thirdfirst quarter results reflected continued the performance from the first half of 2011,strength across all channels, with eightten consecutive quarters of total company same-store sales increases and double-digit increases in total sales. This is a result of consistent execution across all channels, providing compelling new fashionin our core business and our healthy financial position which gives us the flexibility to aggressively pursue growth opportunities, particularly in e-commerce. As customers' expectations of service evolve, expanded selection, speed and convenience are becoming even more important. We are accelerating our customers, and efforts to improveenhance the customer experience infrom our storesestablished foundation of multi-channel capabilities and online.

We believe there is significant potential to driveincrease our relevance with existing and new customers.


In e-commerce, we have many ongoing initiatives, including increased selection of merchandise, personalization, website enhancements and additional sales volume and achieve profitable growth by improving the customer experience across all channels. As customers’ expectations broadenfunctionality of our mobile apps. Combined with greater emphasis on speed and convenience, we are increasing our investments in e-commerce to better respond to how customers want to shop. Our online channel continues to be the fastest growing partspeed of our business,delivery and during the quarter we began offering free standard shipping and returns, for online purchases. We believe this change makes it easier and more convenient to shop with us. Our combined efforts to enhancewe are seeing the online experience led to meaningfulbenefits reflected in the continuing strong sales growth in our online salesDirect channel, with a 44.2% increase in the third quarter.

Our strong financial position enables us to continue to make these investments while alsofirst quarter, our fastest growing our business through new stores, remodels and other initiatives. During the first nine months of 2011,channel. Last year at this time we opened three Nordstrom full-line stores, eighteen Nordstrom Rack stores and relocated two Nordstrom Rack stores. We also opened a philanthropic store in New York called treasure&bond, and acquired HauteLook, a leader in the online private sale marketplace. In April of this year, we announced our partnership with Bonobos, a fast-moving online retailer that has been successful in connecting and gaining relevance with a contemporary customer. With this partnership, we can learn through an up-close view of their web-driven brand while gaining access to an energetic clothing line to add to our men's assortment.


We believe this acquisition willalso continue to grow through new stores, remodels and other initiatives. During the quarter, we opened one Nordstrom full-line store and four Nordstrom Rack stores, and relocated one Nordstrom Rack store. Our recent store openings also offer examples of our evolution in responding to how our customers want to shop. Although we introduced mobile devices in our stores last year, at our new Salt Lake City full-line store we provided three times the number of mobile point-of-sale devices as cash registers to help us further developmake shopping faster and more convenient. We continue to add functionality and build in new features to these devices to make them even more helpful to our customers. At our relocated downtown Seattle Nordstrom Rack store, we also increased the number of mobile and e-commerce capabilities and enable us to participatepoint-of-sale devices, resulting in the fast-growing private sales channel.

Our increased investmentsa significantly quicker check-out, which translates into a better service experience.


As we accelerate our growth in e-commerce, and technologysupported by the increased level of investments we are part of what will enable usmaking in this channel, our operating model is evolving. Our overall goals to achieve our overall goals of mid-to-highhigh single-digit total sales growth and mid-teens Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”("ROIC"). As we make are unchanged, as these measures correlate strongly with shareholder return. We believe our investments will increase our ROIC through high growth in sales dollars and earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT"), as opposed to enhance the customer experience,EBIT margin, with an incrementally productive capital base. Even with these additional investments, in 2012 we expect thatto produce the increased spending on e-commerce and technology will flow throughhighest level of EBIT results in our expenses at a faster pace than other investments in previous years. These investments are important to our ability to evolve with customers and achieve our long-term growth plans.

Our credit business continues to contribute to an improved customer experience and to our overall performance. In September, our history, driven by strong sales.


Fashion Rewards customer event drove significant incremental sales compared to the same event in the prior year. For the third quarter of 2011, Fashion Rewards sales increased 22% compared with the same period last year. Fashion Rewards continue to grow and isplays an important part of our loyalty strategy, asin building customer loyalty. Our Fashion Rewards members shop more frequently and spend more with us on average than non-members. During the quarter, we saw a favorable response from our customers to the enhancements we made to our Fashion Rewards program, with new Fashion Rewards accounts increasing by almost 50% from the first quarter of last year. Our key credit metrics of delinquency, write-offnew program gives customers more control over how and when they can earn rewards and extends more benefits to our cardholders. We also saw customer payment rates continue to improve although at a moderating pace in comparison to previous quarters.

the first quarter, resulting in decreased delinquency and write-off trends, while our credit and debit card volumes increased.


Our first quarter performance is on track with our long-term growth plans. We remain focused on our goal of improving customer service and providing a superior shopping experience. We believe our customer-focused strategy allows uscustomer experience both in-store and online and see many opportunities to execute our current operating plansdrive growth across all channels while targeting investments in e-commerce and technology to sustain long-term profitable growth.

channels.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our reportable segments are Retail and Credit. Our Retail segment includes our Nordstrom branded full-line stores and online store,website, our Nordstrom Rack stores, and our other retail channels including HauteLook, our Jeffrey stores and our treasure&bond store. For purposes of discussion and analysis of our results of operations, we combine our Retail segment results with revenues and expenses in the “Corporate/Other”"Corporate/Other" column of our segment reporting footnote (collectively, the “Retail Business”"Retail Business"). We analyze our results of operations through earnings before interest and income taxes for our Retail Business and earnings before income taxes for Credit, while interest expense and income taxes and net earnings are discussed on a total company basis.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Retail Business

Summary
Summary

The following tables summarizetable summarizes the results of our Retail Business for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the quarter and nine months ended OctoberApril 30, 2010:

   Quarter Ended 
   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 
           Amount               % of net sales               Amount               % of net sales     

Net sales

      $      2,383              100.0%             $      2,087            100.0%           

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs

   (1,495)             (62.7%)         (1,318)           (63.1%)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

   888              37.3%          769            36.9%           

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   (670)             (28.1%)         (569)           (27.3%)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before interest and income taxes

      $      218              9.1%             $200            9.6%            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Nine Months Ended 
   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 
   Amount   % of net sales   Amount   % of net sales 

Net sales

      $      7,328              100.0%             $      6,494            100.0%           

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs

   (4,567)             (62.3%)         (4,092)           (63.0%)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

   2,761              37.7%          2,402            37.0%           

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   (1,989)             (27.1%)         (1,715)           (26.4%)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before interest and income taxes

      $772              10.5%             $687            10.6%           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Retail Business Net Sales    
   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 

Net sales:

        

Nordstrom

      $1,773                 $1,615             $5,825               $5,331           

Nordstrom Rack

   528              427          1,478            1,209           

Other retail1

   49              9          124            25           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Retail segment sales

   2,350              2,051          7,427            6,565           

Corporate/Other

   33              36          (99)           (71)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

      $2,383                 $2,087             $7,328               $6,494           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales increase

   14.2%              11.7%          12.8%            13.5%           

Same-store sales increase (decrease) by channel:

        

Nordstrom

   8.5%              7.3%          8.1%            10.2%           

Nordstrom Rack

   6.8%              (2.2%)         4.3%            (0.4%)          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   7.9%              5.8%          7.2%            8.6%           
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sales per square foot

      $98                 $88             $303               $279           

2011:

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
 Amount % of net sales Amount % of net sales
Net sales$2,535
 100.0% $2,229
 100.0%
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs(1,561) (61.6%) (1,371) (61.5%)
Gross profit974
 38.4% 858
 38.5%
Selling, general and administrative expenses(721)
(28.4%)
(611)
(27.4%)
Earnings before interest and income taxes$253
 10.0% $247
 11.1%
Retail Business Net Sales
 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net sales by channel:   
Nordstrom full-line stores$1,716
 $1,599
Direct242
 168
Nordstrom1,958
 1,767
Nordstrom Rack557
 466
Other retail1
61
 26
Total Retail segment2,576
 2,259
Corporate/Other(41) (30)
Total net sales$2,535
 $2,229
    
Net sales increase13.7% 12.0%
    
Same-store sales increase by channel:   
Nordstrom full-line stores5.6% 6.9%
Direct44.2% 16.6%
Nordstrom9.3% 7.8%
Nordstrom Rack6.8% 1.2%
Total8.5% 6.5%
    
Sales per square foot$102
 $93
4-wall sales per square foot2
$92
 $86
1Other retail includes our HauteLook online private sale subsidiary, our Jeffrey stores and our treasure&bond store.

Total net

24-wall sales per square foot is calculated as Nordstrom full-line and Nordstrom Rack sales divided by Nordstrom full-line and Nordstrom Rack weighted-average square footage. Weighted-average square footage includes a percentage of period-end square footage for new stores equal to the percentage of the period during which they were open.
Net sales increased 14.2%13.7% for the quarter and 12.8% for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in the prior year.2011. Overall same-store sales increased 7.9% for the quarter8.5%, with increases of 9.3% at Nordstrom and 7.2% for the nine months ended October 29, 2011.6.8% at Nordstrom Rack. During the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we opened threeone Nordstrom full-line stores, eighteenstore, four Nordstrom Rack stores and one treasure&bond store, relocated twoone Nordstrom Rack stores and acquired HauteLook.

17store.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Nordstrom net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of 20112012 were $1,773,$1,958, an increase of 9.8%10.8% compared with the same period in 2010, while net sales of $5,825 for the nine months ended October 29, 2011 increased 9.3% compared, with the same period in 2010. Nordstrom same-store sales increased 8.5% for the quarter and 8.1% for the nine months ended October 29, 2011, compared with the same periods in 2010.up 9.3%. Both the average selling price and the number of sales transactionsitems sold increased for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod last year. Category highlights for the quarter ended April 28, 2012 included Handbags, Women's Shoes and nine months ended October 29, 2011, included Designer, Handbags and Dresses.Men's Shoes. Full-line same-store sales increased 5.6% compared with the same period in 2011. The South and Midwest were the top-performing geographic regions for Nordstrom full-line stores for both the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011.regions. The Direct channel continued to show strong sales growth outpacingwith an increase of 44.2% in the first quarter of 2012, compared with the same period in the prior year. This increase significantly outpaced our overall Nordstrom increase.

performance and is reflective of the multiple initiatives under way in e-commerce.

Nordstrom Rack net sales increased $101,$91, or 23.6%19.6%, for the quarter and $269, or 22.2%, for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in 2010. Same-store2011, while same-store sales at Nordstrom Rack increased 6.8% for. Both the quarternumber of items sold and 4.3% for the nine months ended October 29, 2011. Both the average selling price of Nordstrom Rack merchandise and the number of sales transactions increased for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod last year.

Retail Business Gross Profit

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
     October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010       October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010   

Gross profit

   $      888             $            769             $      2,761             $      2,402          

Gross profit rate

       37.3%            36.9%             37.7%             37.0%          
           October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 

Ending inventory per square foot

       $      60.90             $      54.94          

Inventory turnover rate1

       5.23             5.19          

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Gross profit$974
 $858
Gross profit rate38.4% 38.5%
Ending inventory per square foot$55.09
 $47.50
Inventory turnover rate1
5.37
 5.44
1Inventory turnover rate is calculated as the trailing 12-months cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs (for all segments) divided by the trailing 4-quarter average inventory.

Retail gross profit increased $119$116 for the quarter and $359 for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in 2010,2011, due to higher grosssales and margin, partially offset by an increase in occupancy costs for stores opened during 20112012 and 2010.2011. Our retail gross profit rate improved 40decreased 10 basis points for the quarter and 69 basis points for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in 2010. The increase was2011, primarily due to leveraging buying and occupancy costs on higher net sales and strengtha reduction in regular-price selling. These factors were partially offset by reduced shipping revenue associated with the introductionas a result of launching free standard shipping and free returns for online purchases in the third quarter.

quarter of 2011.

Our regular-priced selling increased while our inventory turnover rate increaseddecreased to 5.235.37 times for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, from 5.195.44 times for the same period in the prior year. We ended the quarter with a 10.8%16.0% increase in ending inventory per square foot on a 10.4%10.1% increase in sales per square foot, compared with the thirdfirst quarter of 2010. This reflects a widening selection2011. The increase in ending inventory per square foot relative to the increase in sales per square foot is primarily due to our accelerated online merchandise offering to better serve our online customers as well as the timing of a seasonal buildup in our store inventory.

and in-store growth.

Retail Business Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

  Quarter Ended  Nine Months Ended 
    October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010      October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  $          670              $          569              $       1,989              $       1,715            

Selling, general and administrative expense rate

  28.1%              27.3%              27.1%              26.4%            

Selling, general and administrative expense per square foot

  $            28              $            24              $            82              $            74            

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Selling, general and administrative expenses$721
 $611
Selling, general and administrative expense rate28.4% 27.4%
Our Retail selling, general and administrative expenses (“("Retail SG&A”&A") increased $101$110, or 18.0%, for the quarter and $274 for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in 2010.2011. The increase was driven byprimarily due to a continuation of various initiatives, which began in the second half of 2011, to improve the customer experience across all channels and specifically to grow our e-commerce business. These include planned increases in technology and marketing spending, as well as fulfillment expenses. The increase also reflected higher sales volume and the opening of 2318 stores since the thirdfirst quarter of 2010. It also reflects investments to improve2011. As a result, our Retail SG&A rate increased 103 basis points for the shopping experience across channels and specifically to grow our e-commerce business, and includes HauteLook operating and purchase accounting expenses as well as planned increasesquarter ended April 28, 2012, compared with the same period in marketing and technology spend.

18the prior year.






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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)

Our Retail SG&A rate increased 87 basis points for the quarter, compared with the same period in the prior year, driven primarily by the investments to grow our e-commerce business discussed above. Our Retail SG&A rate increased 74 basis points for the nine months ended October 29, 2011, compared with the same period last year, primarily due to HauteLook expenses.


Credit

Segment

Summary

The table below provides a detailed view of the operational results of our Credit segment, consistent with the segment disclosure provided in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In order to better reflect the economic contribution of our credit and debit card program, intercompany merchant fees are also included in the table below. Intercompany merchant fees represent the estimated intercompany income of our Credit segment from the usage of our cards in the Retail segment. To encourage the use of Nordstrom cards in our stores, the Credit segment does not charge the Retail segment an intercompany interchange merchant fee. On a consolidated basis, we avoid costs that would be incurred if our customers used third-party cards.

Interest expense is assigned to the Credit segment in proportion to the amount of estimated capital needed to fund our credit card receivables, which assumes a mix of 80% debt and 20% equity. The average credit card receivable investment metric included in the following table represents our best estimate of the amount of capital for our Credit segment that is financed by equity. Based on our research, debt as a percentage of credit card receivables for other credit card companies ranges from 70% to 90%. We believe that debt equal to 80% of our credit card receivables is appropriate given our overall capital structure goals.

   Quarter Ended
October 29, 2011
   Quarter Ended
October 30, 2010
 
   Amount   Annualized %
     of average credit    
card receivables
   Amount   Annualized %
     of average credit    
card receivables
 

Credit card revenues

       $            95            18.7%                  $          95            18.4%             

Interest expense

   (2)           (0.6%)             (4)           (0.9%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net credit card income

   93            18.1%              91            17.5%             

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs – loyalty program

   (16)           (3.2%)             (13)           (2.7%)            

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   (57)           (11.1%)             (61)           (11.5%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expense

   (73)           (14.2%)             (74)           (14.2%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit segment earnings before income taxes, as presented in segment disclosure

   20            3.9%              17            3.3%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intercompany merchant fees

   14            2.9%              12            2.3%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit segment contribution, before income taxes

       $            34            6.7%                  $          29            5.6%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit and debit card volume:

        

Outside

   $       1,015              $        947           

Inside

   735              607           
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total volume

   $       1,750              $     1,554           
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Average credit card receivables

   $       2,036              $     2,085           

Average credit card receivable investment (assuming 80% of accounts receivable is funded with debt)

   $          407              $         417          

Annualized Credit segment contribution, net of tax, as a percentage of average credit card receivable investment

   20.5%              17.0%           

19

 Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
 Amount Annualized % of average credit card receivables Amount Annualized % of average credit card receivables
Credit card revenues$94
 18.9% $94
 19.0%
Interest expense(6) (1.3%) (4) (0.6%)
Net credit card income88
 17.6% 90
 18.4%
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs – loyalty program(23) (4.5%) (14) (3.0%)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(44) (8.9%) (55) (11.1%)
Total expense(67) (13.4%) (69) (14.1%)
Credit segment earnings before income taxes, as presented in segment disclosure21
 4.2% 21
 4.3%
Intercompany merchant fees17
 3.6% 14
 2.8%
Credit segment contribution, before income taxes$38
 7.7% $35
 7.1%
        
Credit and debit card volume:       
Outside$1,015
   $982
  
Inside892
   705
  
Total volume$1,907
   $1,687
  
        
Average credit card receivables$1,985
   $1,990
  
Average credit card receivable investment1
$397
   $398
  
Annualized Credit segment contribution2
24.0%   21.7%  
1Assumes 80% of 31

accounts receivable is funded with debt.

2Net of tax, calculated as a percentage of our average credit card receivable investment.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)

   Nine Months Ended
October 29, 2011
   Nine Months Ended
October 30, 2010
 
       Amount       Annualized %
     of average credit    
card receivables
       Amount       Annualized %
     of average credit    
card receivables
 

Credit card revenues

       $         283            18.7%                  $         290            18.0%             

Interest expense

   (9)           (0.6%)             (16)           (1.0%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net credit card income

   274            18.1%              274            17.0%             

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs – loyalty program

   (52)           (3.5%)             (47)           (3.0%)            

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   (171)           (11.3%)             (218)           (13.5%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expense

   (223)           (14.7%)             (265)           (16.5%)            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit segment earnings before income taxes, as presented in segment disclosure

   51            3.4%              9            0.5%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intercompany merchant fees

   50            3.3%              41            2.5%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit segment contribution, before income taxes

   $         101            6.7%              $           50            3.1%             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit and debit card volume:

        

Outside

   $      3,035              $      2,828           

Inside

   2,512              2,069           
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total volume

   $      5,547              $      4,897           
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Average credit card receivables

   $      2,019              $      2,146           

Average credit card receivable investment (assuming 80% of accounts receivable is funded with debt)

   $         404              $         412           

Annualized Credit segment contribution, net of tax, as a percentage of average credit card receivable investment

   20.1%              9.8%           


Credit Card Revenues

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010   October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 

Finance charge revenue

      $          63                $          66                $          188                $          198          

Interchange – third party

   20             19             60             56          

Late fees and other revenue

   12             10             35             36          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total credit card revenues

      $          95                $          95                $        283                $        290          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Finance charge revenue$62
 $64
Interchange – third party20
 19
Late fees and other revenue12
 11
Total credit card revenues$94
 $94
Credit card revenues include finance charges, interchange fees, late fees and other revenues.revenue. Finance charges represent interest earned on unpaid balances while late fees are assessed when cardholders pay less than their minimum balance by the payment due date. Interchange fees are earned from the use of Nordstrom VISA credit cards at merchants outside of Nordstrom.

Although total volume increased for

Credit card revenues were flat in the nine months ended October 29, 2011,first quarter of 2012, compared with the same period in the prior year, theyear. Finance charge revenue decreased due to continued improvementimprovements in customer payment rates led to lower revolving balances and reduced delinquencies. These factors resultedwhich more than offset the increase in a decrease intotal volume. Interchange fees were higher from increased use of our Nordstrom VISA credit card revenues for the nine months ended October 29, 2011.

cards at third parties.

Credit Segment Interest Expense

Interest expense decreasedincreased to $2$6 for the quarter and $9endedApril 28, 2012, from $4 for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29,April 30, 2011 from $4 for the quarter and $16 for the nine months ended October 30, 2010,, due to lowerhigher average interest rates applicable to the Credit segment.

Credit Segment Cost of Sales and Related Buying and Occupancy Costs

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs, which includes the estimated cost of Nordstrom Notes and complimentary alterations credits that will be issued and redeemed under our Fashion Rewards program, increased $3$9 for the quarter and $5 for the nine months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same periodsperiod in the prior year. The increases wereincrease was due to additional expenses relatedenhancements made to theour Fashion Rewards program asand a result of increased use of13.0% increase in volume on Nordstrom credit cards and higher new account volume.debit cards. We provide these benefits to our customerscardholders as participation in the Fashion Rewards program generates enhanced customer loyalty and incremental sales in our stores.

20

Credit Segment Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for our Credit segment ("Credit SG&A") are summarized in the following table:
 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Operational and marketing expenses$31
 $30
Bad debt provision13
 25
Total Credit selling, general and administrative expenses$44
 $55
Total Credit SG&A expenses decreased $11 for the quarter ended April 28, 2012, compared with the quarter ended April 30, 2011, due to lower bad debt expense which reflects continued improvement in our portfolio delinquencies and write-off results.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)

Credit Segment Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for our Credit segment (“Credit SG&A”) are summarized in the following table:

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
     October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010       October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010   

Operational and marketing expenses

         $        26             $          33                   $        89             $          93          

Bad debt provision

   31             28             82             125          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Credit selling, general and administrative expenses

         $        57             $          61                    $      171             $        218          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Credit SG&A expenses decreased $4 for the quarter ended October 29, 2011, compared with the same period in the prior year, due to changes in our Fashion Rewards program. Total Credit SG&A expenses decreased $47 for the nine months ended October 29, 2011, compared with the same period in the prior year, due primarily to lower bad debt expense, which reflects continued improvements in our credit trends.


Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Trends

As a result of the improvements in our delinquency and write-off results, we reduced our allowance for credit losses by $20$10 during the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011.April 28, 2012. The following table summarizes activity in the allowance for credit losses:

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
     October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010       October 29, 2011       October 30, 2010   

Allowance at beginning of period

           $        125                     $        175                     $        145                     $        190          

Bad debt provision

   31             28             82             125          

Write-offs

   (37)            (48)            (119)            (168)         

Recoveries

   6             5             17             13          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance at end of period

           $        125                     $        160                     $        125                     $        160          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Annualized net write-offs as a percentage of average credit card receivables

   5.8%              8.2%              6.6%              10.0%           
           October 29, 2011   October 30, 2010 

Balances 30+ days delinquent as a percentage of ending credit card receivables

  

   2.8%              3.5%           

Allowance as a percentage of ending credit card receivables

  

   6.2%              7.6%           

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Allowance at beginning of period$115
 $145
Bad debt provision13
 25
Write-offs(30) (40)
Recoveries7
 5
Allowance at end of period$105
 $135
    
Annualized net write-offs as a percentage of average credit card receivables4.7% 7.0%
30+ days delinquent as a percentage of ending credit card receivables2.3% 3.3%
Allowance as a percentage of ending credit card receivables5.2% 6.7%
Total Company Results

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011April 28, 2012 was relatively flat,$40, compared with $31 for the same periods in the prior year,quarter ended April 30, 2011, due to lower average interest rates, partially offset by increasedhigher debt balances.

Income Tax Expense

   Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
       October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010           October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Income tax expense

   $        82              $          71              $        293              $        237           

Effective tax rate

   39.1%              37.6%              39.6%              38.3%           

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Income tax expense$91
 $96
Effective tax rate38.0% 40.0%
The effective tax rate for the quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2011, increasedApril 28, 2012, decreased compared with the same periodsperiod in 2011. The higher rate in the prior year, primarily due tofirst quarter of 2011 reflects the accrual of tax and interest to settle a state tax liability.

21liability and the impact of 31


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.non-taxable acquisition-related expenses.

(Continued)(Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Fiscal 20112012 Outlook

Our expectations for fiscal 20112012 are as follows:

Same-store sales1  Approximately4 to 6% increase
Credit card revenues  $50 to $10 decreaseincrease
Gross profit rate21
  455 to 5535 basis point increasedecrease
Selling, general and administrative expenses: 
    Retail3  $360275 to $370$340 increase
    Credit  $350 to $40 decrease$10 increase
Interest expense, net  $025 to $5$30 increase
Effective tax rate  39.4%39.0%
Earnings per diluted share  $3.053.30 to $3.10$3.45
Diluted shares outstanding  218.1212.6

1HauteLook sales are not included in same-store sales.

2Includes both our Retail gross profit and the cost of our loyalty program, which is recorded in our Credit segment, as a percentage of net sales.






3Expected Retail SG&A expenses include approximately $11020 of operating expenses and purchase accounting charges associated with the HauteLook acquisition.29

22


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”("ROIC") (Non-GAAP financial measure)

We define ROIC as follows:

ROIC =    ROIC =  

Net Operating Profit after Taxes

  Average Invested Capital

We believe that ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating our operating performance. When analyzed in conjunction with our net earnings and total assets and compared with return on assets (net earnings divided by average total assets), it provides investors with a useful tool to evaluate our ongoing operations and our management of assets from period to period. ROIC is one of our key financial metrics, and we also incorporate it into our executive incentive measures. We believe that overall performance as measured by ROIC correlates directly to shareholders’shareholders' return over the long term. For the 12 fiscal months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, our ROIC increaseddecreased to 13.7%13.1% compared with 12.9%13.6% for the 12 fiscal months ended OctoberApril 30, 2010.2011. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, should not be considered a substitute for return on assets, net earnings or total assets as determined in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The closest measure calculated using GAAP amounts is return on assets, which increaseddecreased to 8.9%8.5% from 8.0%8.8% for the 12 fiscal months ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the 12 fiscal months ended OctoberApril 30, 2010.2011. The following is a comparison of return on assets to ROIC:

   12 Fiscal Months Ended 
       October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Net earnings

          $679                    $553          

Add: income tax expense

   434             342          

Add: interest expense

   127             128          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before interest and income tax expense

   1,240             1,023          

Add: rent expense

   73             58          

Less: estimated depreciation on capitalized operating leases1

   (39)            (31)         
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating profit

   1,274             1,050          

Estimated income tax expense2

   (497)            (401)         
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating profit after tax

          $777                    $649          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average total assets3

          $7,624                    $6,894          

Less: average non-interest bearing current liabilities4

   (1,982)            (1,770)         

Less: average deferred property incentives3

   (503)            (480)         

Add: average estimated asset base of capitalized operating leases5

   525             386          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average invested capital

          $5,664                    $5,030          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return on assets

   8.9%             8.0%          

ROIC

   13.7%             12.9%          

 12 Fiscal Months Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net earnings$687
 $641
Add: income tax expense431
 403
Add: interest expense141
 129
Earnings before interest and income tax expense1,259
 1,173
    
Add: rent expense83
 66
Less: estimated depreciation on capitalized operating leases1
(44) (35)
Net operating profit1,298
 1,204
    
Estimated income tax expense2
(500) (465)
Net operating profit after tax$798
 $739
    
Average total assets3
$8,119
 $7,322
Less: average non-interest-bearing current liabilities4
(2,104) (1,845)
Less: average deferred property incentives3
(506) (494)
Add: average estimated asset base of capitalized operating leases5
589
 463
Average invested capital$6,098
 $5,446
    
Return on assets8.5% 8.8%
ROIC13.1% 13.6%
1Capitalized operating leases is our best estimate of the asset base we would record for our leases that are classified as operating leases as if wethey had classified them asmet the criteria for a capital lease, or we purchased the property.

Asset base is calculated as described in footnote 5 below.

2Based upon our effective tax rate multiplied by the net operating profit for the 12 fiscal months ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010.

.

3Based upon the trailing 12-month average.average, including cash and cash equivalents.

4Based upon the trailing 12-month average for accounts payable, accrued salaries, wages and related benefits, and other current liabilities.

5Based upon the trailing 12-month average of the monthly asset base, which is calculated as the trailing 12-months rent expense multiplied by 8.eight. The multiple of eight times rent expense is a commonly used method of estimating the asset base we would record for our capitalized operating leases described in footnote 1.

Our ROIC increaseddecreased compared with the prior year primarily due to an increase in our earnings before interest and income tax expense. This was partly offset by an increase in our average invested capital, attributable primarily to growth in cash and cash equivalents.

23 This was partly offset by an increase in our earnings before interest and income tax expense.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We maintain a level of liquidity sufficient to allow us to cover our seasonal cash needs and to maintain appropriate levels of short-term borrowings. We believe that our operating cash flows, available credit facilities and potential future borrowings are sufficient to finance our cash requirements for the next 12 months and beyond.

Over the long term, we manage our cash and capital structure to maximize shareholder return, maintain our financial position, manage refinancing risk and allow flexibility for strategic initiatives. We regularly assess our debt and leverage levels, capital expenditure requirements, debt service payments, dividend payouts, potential share repurchases and other future investments. We believe our existing cash on-hand, operating cash flows, available credit facilities and potential future borrowings will be sufficient to fund these scheduled future payments and potential long-term initiatives.

For the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $49$230 to $1,457,$1,647, primarily due to principal payments for repurchaseson long-term borrowings of common stock of $693, capital expenditures of $398 and cash dividends paid of $149. These decreases were$502, partially offset by an increase in cash provided by operations of $628 and net proceeds from long-term borrowings of $499.

$159.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $67decreased$50 for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with the same period in 2010,2011, due primarily to earnings growth.

higher purchases of inventory in conjunction with an increase in sales.

Investing Activities

Net cash used inprovided by investing activities increased to $391was $119 for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011, from $350April 28, 2012, compared with net cash used of $88 for the nine monthsquarter ended OctoberApril 30, 2010.

Capital expenditures increased from $295 for2011, due primarily to the nine months ended October 30, 2010application of restricted cash to $398 forretire the nine months ended October 29,securitized Series 2007-2 Class A & B Notes ("the Notes").


In connection with the April 2012 maturity of the Notes totaling $500, we began making monthly cash deposits of $100 into a restricted account in December 2011. The increaseAs of January 28, 2012, we had accumulated $200, which was primarily dueincluded in our condensed consolidated balance sheet in prepaid expenses and other. During the first quarter of 2012, we accumulated an additional $300 prior to increased e-commerce and technology investments, as well as the timingNotes' April maturity date. We retired the Notes, upon the maturity date of store openings. For example, these investments included in-store improvements such as Wi-Fi availability for our customers in allApril 16, 2012, using the accumulated restricted cash of our Nordstrom full-line stores and mobile point-of-sale devices for our salespeople.

Net cash from customers using their Nordstrom VISA credit cards for merchandise and services outside of Nordstrom stores increased to a $10 cash inflow for the nine months ended October 29, 2011, compared with a $59 outflow for the nine months ended October 30, 2010. The increase in cash inflows from credit card receivables originated at third parties was primarily a result of improved customer payment rates and a decrease in write-offs.

$500.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $286$508 for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with net cash provided of $40$194 for the nine monthsquarter ended OctoberApril 30, 2010.

The difference was primarily due to $6932011.

We retired our $500 securitized Series 2007-2 Class A & B Notes upon maturity in April 2012 using accumulated restricted cash described in Investing Activities above.
Additionally, we made payments of $57 for repurchases of common stock for the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, compared with $31$171 for the nine monthsquarter ended OctoberApril 30, 2010. The increase in cash used was partially offset by an increase in net proceeds from long-term borrowings.

During the first nine months2011.



22 of 2011, we issued $50029

Table of senior unsecured notes at 4.00%, due October 2021. Net proceeds from the offering were $499. During the first nine months of 2010, we received $498 in proceeds from long-term borrowings, partially offset by payments of $350 to retire securitized notes.

On November 22, 2011, we issued $325 Series 2011-1 Class A Notes at 2.28%, due October 17, 2016. The notes are secured by a portion of our credit card receivables. We intend to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the notes for general corporate purposes.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP financial measure)

We define Free Cash Flow as:

Free Cash Flow = Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities – Capital Expenditures – Cash Dividends Paid +/(–)
Change

in Credit Card Receivables Originated at Third Parties +/(–) Change in Cash Book Overdrafts

Free Cash Flow is one of our key liquidity measures, and in conjunction with GAAP measures, provides us with a meaningful analysis of our cash flows. We believe that our ability to generate cash is more appropriately analyzed using this measure. Free Cash Flow is not a measure of liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating cash flows as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Free Cash Flow does have limitations:

Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs; and

Other companies in our industry may calculate Free Cash Flow differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs; and
Other companies in our industry may calculate Free Cash Flow differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To compensate for these limitations, we analyze Free Cash Flow in conjunction with other GAAP financial and performance measures impacting liquidity, including operating cash flows. The closest GAAP measure calculated using GAAP amounts is net cash provided by operating activities, which was $628$159 and $561$209 for the nine monthsquarters ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010.. The following is a reconciliation of our net cash provided by operating activities and Free Cash Flow:

   Nine Months Ended 
       October 29, 2011           October 30, 2010     

Net cash provided by operating activities

          $628                    $561          

Less: capital expenditures

   (398)            (295)         

Less: cash dividends paid

   (149)            (123)         

Add (Less): change in credit card receivables originated at third parties

   10             (59)         

(Less) Add: change in cash book overdrafts

   (20)            2          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

          $71                    $86          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

          $(391)                   $(350)         

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

          $(286)                   $40          

25

 Quarter Ended
 April 28, 2012 April 30, 2011
Net cash provided by operating activities$159
 $209
Less: capital expenditures(98) (116)
Less: cash dividends paid(56) (50)
Add: change in credit card receivables originated at third parties17
 30
Add (Less): change in cash book overdrafts48
 (9)
Free Cash Flow$70
 $64
    
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities$119
 $(88)
Net cash used in financing activities$(508) $(194)

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Credit Capacity and Commitments

On June 23, 2011, we entered into a new unsecured revolving credit facility (“revolver”) with a capacity of $600, which expires in June 2016. This revolver replaced our previous $650 unsecured line of credit which was scheduled to expire in August 2012. Under the terms of the revolver, we pay a variable rate of interest and a commitment fee based on our debt rating. The revolver is available for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including liquidity support for our commercial paper program. We have the option to increase the revolving commitment by up to $100, to a total of $700, provided that we obtain written consent from the lenders.

As of October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we had total short-term borrowing capacity available for general corporate purposes of $900.$800. Of the total capacity, we had $600$600 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our revolver expiring June 2016, and $300 under our Variable Funding Noteunsecured revolving credit facility (“2007-A VFN”("revolver") that expires in June 2016, and $200 under our 2007-A Variable Funding Note ("2007-A VFN") that expires in January 2012.2013. During the nine monthsquarter ended October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we had no issuances under our commercial paper program and no borrowings under our revolver or our 2007-A VFN.

Impact of Credit Ratings

Under the terms of our $600$600 revolver, any borrowings we may enter into will accrue interest at a floating base rate tied to LIBOR in the case of Euro-Dollar Rate Loans and to the highest of: (i) the Euro-Dollar rate plus 100 basis points, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points and (iii) the prime rate in the case of Base Rate Loans.


The rate depends upon the type of borrowing incurred, plus in each case an applicable margin. This applicable margin varies depending upon the credit ratings assigned to our long-term unsecured debt. At the time of this report, our long-term unsecured debt ratings, outlook and resulting applicable margin were as follows:

  
Credit
Ratings
  Outlook

  Moody’s

Moody'sBaa1  Stable

Standard & Poor’s

Poor'sA-  Stable

  
Base Interest
Rate
  
Applicable  
Margin

Euro-Dollar Rate Loan

LIBOR  1.125% 

Base Rate Loan

various  0.125% 

Should the ratings assigned to our long-term unsecured debt improve, the applicable margin associated with any such borrowings may decrease, resulting in a slightly lower cost of capital under this facility. Should the ratings assigned to our long-term unsecured debt worsen, the applicable margin associated with our borrowings may increase, resulting in a slightly higher cost of capital under this facility.

Debt Covenants

Covenant

The revolver requires that we maintain a leverage ratio, defined as Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR,Earnings before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Rent ("EBITDAR"), of less than four times (see the following additional discussion of Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR below)EBITDAR).

As of October 29, 2011,April 28, 2012, we were in compliance with this covenant. We will continue to monitor this covenant to ensure that we make any necessary adjustments to our plans, and we believe that we will remain in compliance with this covenant during 2011.

262012.



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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(Continued)(Dollar (Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per square foot amounts)


Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR (Non-GAAP financial measure)

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is one of our key financial metrics, and we believe that our debt levels are best analyzed using this measure. Our current goal is to manage debt levels to maintain an investment-grade credit rating as well as operate with an efficient capital structure for our size, growth plans and industry. Investment-grade credit ratings are important to maintaining access to a variety of short-term and long-term sources of funding, and we rely on these funding sources to continue to grow our business. We believe a higher ratio, among other factors, could result in rating agency downgrades. In contrast, we believe a lower ratio would result in a higher cost of capital and could negatively impact shareholder returns. As of October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010,, our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR was 2.3.

2.1.

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for debt to net earnings, net earnings or debt as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR does have limitations:

Adjusted Debt is not exact, but rather our best estimate of the total company debt we would hold if we had purchased the property and issued debt associated with our operating leases;

EBITDAR does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, including leases, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; and

Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Adjusted Debt is not exact, but rather our best estimate of the total company debt we would hold if we had purchased the property and issued debt associated with our operating leases;
EBITDAR does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, including leases, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; and
Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.
To compensate for these limitations, we analyze Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR in conjunction with other GAAP financial and performance measures impacting liquidity, including operating cash flows, capital spending and net earnings. The closest measure calculated using GAAP amounts is debt to net earnings, which was 4.94.6 for the thirdfirst quarter of 20112012 and 5.14.3 for the thirdfirst quarter of 2010.2011. The following is a comparison of debt to net earnings and Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:

   20111   20101 

Debt

          $          3,316                 $          2,812      

Add: rent expense x 82

   585          467      

Less: fair value of interest rate swaps included in long-term debt

   (64)         (55)     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Debt

          $3,837                 $3,224      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   679          553      

Add: income tax expense

   434          342      

Add: interest expense, net

   124          128      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before interest and income taxes

   1,237          1,023      

Add: depreciation and amortization expenses

   356          322      

Add: rent expense

   73          58      

Add: non-cash acquisition-related charges

   7          —      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAR

          $1,673                 $1,403      
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt to Net Earnings

   4.9          5.1      

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR

   2.3          2.3      

 
20121
 
20111
Debt$3,143
 $2,782
Add: rent expense x 82
667
 525
Less: fair value hedge adjustment included in long-term debt(69) (27)
Adjusted Debt$3,741
 $3,280
    
Net earnings$687
 $641
Add: income tax expense431
 403
Add: interest expense, net139
 127
Earnings before interest and income taxes1,257
 1,171
    
Add: depreciation and amortization expenses386
 333
Add: rent expense83
 66
Add: non-cash acquisition-related charges22
 
EBITDAR$1,748
 $1,570
    
Debt to Net Earnings4.6
 4.3
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR2.1
 2.1
1The components of Adjusted Debt are as of October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011 and October 30, 2010,, while the components of EBITDAR are for the 12 months ended October 29,April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011

  and October 30, 2010.

.

2The multiple of eight times rent expense used to calculate Adjusted Debt is a commonly used method of estimating the debt we would record for our leases that are classified as operating if they had met the criteria for a capital lease, or we had purchased the property.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We discussed our interest rate risk and our foreign currency exchange risk in Part II, “Item"Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”Risk" in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 18, 2011.16, 2012. There have been no material changes to these risks since that time.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, of the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”"Exchange Act")). Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in the timely and accurate recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of material financial and non-financial information within the time periods specified within the Commission’sCommission's rules and forms. Our President and Chief Financial Officer also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are updating our risk factors as follows:

Cybersecurity

In light of the increased dependence on digital technologies by public companies and the increasing frequency and severity of cyber incidents, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance issued “CF Disclosure Guidance: Topic No. 2” on October 13, 2011, providing its views regarding disclosure obligations relating to cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents. As we operate in multiple retail channels and maintain our own credit operations, we are subject to cybersecurity risks and incidents. Our business involves the storage and transmission of customers’ personal information, consumer preferences and credit card information. We also use mobile devices, social networking and other online activities to connect with our customers. While we have implemented measures to prevent security breaches and cyber incidents, our measures may not be effective and any security breaches and cyber incidents could adversely affect our business.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(c) Repurchases

(Dollar and share amounts in millions, except per share amounts)

Following is a summary of our thirdfirst quarter share repurchases:

   

    Total Number

of Shares

(or Units)

Purchased

   

Average

Price Paid

Per Share

(or Unit)

   

Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased as Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

   

Maximum Number (or        

Approximate Dollar Value)        

of Shares (or Units) that May        

Yet Be Purchased Under        

the Plans or Programs1        

 
  

 

 

 

August 2011

(July 31, 2011 to August 27, 2011)

   0.8     $    44.37     0.8       $      653              
  

 

 

 

September 2011

(August 28, 2011 to October 1, 2011)

   3.1     $    45.45     3.1       $      512              
  

 

 

 

October 2011

(October 2, 2011 to October 29, 2011)

   0.9     $    48.74     0.9       $      468              
  

 

 

 

Total

   4.8     $    45.89     4.8      
  

 

 

 

1In August 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a program (the “2010 Program”) to repurchase up to $500 of our outstanding common stock, through January 28,
  2012. In May 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a new program (the “2011 Program”) to repurchase up to $750 of our outstanding common stock, through
  February 2, 2013, in addition to the remaining amount available for repurchase under the 2010 Program. For the nine months ended October 29, 2011, we repurchased
  15.2 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $693, and had $468 in remaining share repurchase capacity. The actual number and timing of
  future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to market and economic conditions.
 
    Total Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased

 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
(or Unit)

 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

 
Maximum Number (or        
Approximate Dollar Value)        
of Shares (or Units) that May        
Yet Be Purchased Under        
the Plans or Programs1        

February 2012
(January 29, 2012 to February 25, 2012)
0.7
 $50.22
 0.7
 $1,077
March 2012
(February 26, 2012 to March 31, 2012)
0.1
 $53.51
 0.1
 $1,071
April 2012
(April 1, 2012 to April 28, 2012)

 $53.85
 
 $1,070
Total0.8
 

 0.8
  

1In May 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a program (the "2011 Program") to repurchase up to $750 of our outstanding common stock, through
February 2, 2013. In February 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a new program (the "2012 Program") to repurchase up to $800 of our outstanding common stock, through February 1, 2014, in addition to the remaining amount available for repurchase under the 2011 Program. For the quarter ended April 28, 2012, we repurchased 0.8 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $40 and had $1,070 in remaining share repurchase capacity. The actual number and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to market and economic conditions and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
Item 5. Other Information.
In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements, which requires us to present total comprehensive income with net income in a continuous financial statement or in a separate but consecutive statement. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2012 and will present net earnings and other comprehensive earnings in two separate statements in our financial statements. The table below reflects the retrospective application of this guidance for each of the three fiscal years ended January 28, 2012, January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010. The retrospective application did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
Fiscal year2011 2010 2009
Net earnings$683
 $613
 $441
Other comprehensive loss:     
Postretirement plan adjustments, net of tax of $10, $7 and $6(16) (10) (9)
Other comprehensive loss(16) (10) (9)
Comprehensive net earnings$667
 $603
 $432

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed or furnished with this report as set forth in the Index to Exhibits on page 3129 hereof.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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 G. Koppel
Michael G. Koppel
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: December 7, 2011May 29, 2012

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NORDSTROM, INC.

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit  Method of Filing
10.1  Underwriting Agreement
Press release of Nordstrom, Inc., dated October 5, 2011, by and among the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representativesFebruary 17, 2012 announcing that its Board of the several underwriters of the NotesDirectors authorized an $800 million share repurchase program

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2011,February 21, 2012, Exhibit 1.199.1
10.2 Form of 4.00% Note due 2021 
10.2*
Amended and Restated Nordstrom, Inc. Executive Management Bonus Plan

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’sRegistrant's Form 8-KDEF 14A filed on October 11, 2011, Exhibit 4.1March 30, 2012

10.3* Amendment 2011-12012-1 to the Nordstrom Leadership Separation401(k) Plan & Profit Sharing Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011, Exhibit 10.1Filed herewith electronically
31.1  Certification of President required by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  Filed herewith electronically
31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  Filed herewith electronically
32.1  Certification of President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002  Furnished herewith electronically
101.INS  XBRL Instance Document  Filed herewith electronically
101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document  Filed herewith electronically
101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document  Filed herewith electronically
101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document  Filed herewith electronically
101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document  Filed herewith electronically
101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document  Filed herewith electronically
       

*This exhibit is a management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

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