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Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
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November 4, 2004
NORDSTROM OCTOBER SAME-STORE SALES INCREASE 11.5 PERCENT
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SEATTLE - November 4, 2004 - Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported
preliminary sales of $511.9 million for the four-week period ending October
30, 2004, an increase of 13.5 percent compared to sales of $451.2 million for
the four-week period ending November 1, 2003. Same-store sales increased 11.5
percent.
Preliminary quarter-to-date sales of $1.5 billion increased 9.4 percent
compared to 2003 quarter-to-date sales of $1.4 billion. Quarter-to-date same-
store sales increased 8.1 percent.
Preliminary year-to-date sales of $5.0 billion increased 11.5 percent
compared to sales of $4.5 billion in 2003. Year-to-date same-store sales
increased 9.1 percent.
Nordstrom will open its 94th full-line store at Dadeland Mall in Miami,
Fla. on Friday, November 12th.
SALES RECORDING
To hear Nordstrom's prerecorded October sales message, please dial (402)
220-6036. This recording will be available for one week.
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SALES SUMMARY
(unaudited; October October QTD QTD YTD YTD
$ in millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003
--------- --------- ---- ---- ---- ----
<s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c>
Total sales $511.9 $451.2 $1,542.0 $1,409.1 $5,031.0 $4,511.2
Total sales
percentage change 13.5% 6.5% 9.4% 9.6% 11.5% 7.0%
Same-store sales
percentage change 11.5% 3.3% 8.1% 4.7% 9.1% 2.5%
Number of stores
Full-line 93 91
Rack and other 56 56
International
Faconnable
boutiques 31 31
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Total 180 178
Gross square
footage 19,289,000 19,011,000
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GAAP SALES PERFORMANCE
The additional information provided in this section is to comply with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation G. The Company converted to a
4-5-4 Retail Calendar at the beginning of 2003. Year-to-date results for 2003
include one more day than the year-to-date for 2004. The Company believes
that adjusting for this difference provides a more comparable basis from which
to evaluate sales performance. The following reconciliation bridges the year-
to-date 2003 GAAP sales to the 4-5-4 comparable sales.
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Dollar % Change % Change
Sales Reconciliation ($M) YTD 2003 YTD 2004 Increase Total Sales Comp Sales
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<s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c>
Number of Days GAAP 274 273
GAAP Sales $4,529.4 $5031.0 $501.6 11.1% 8.6%
Less Feb. 1, 2003 sales ($18.2) --
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Reported 4-5-4 sales $4,511.2 $5,031.0 $519.8 11.5% 9.1%
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4-5-4 Adjusted Days 273 273
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FUTURE REPORTING DATES
Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is provided
in the table below.
Third Quarter Earnings Tues., Nov. 16, 2004
November Sales Release Thurs., Dec. 2, 2004
December Sales Release Thurs., Jan. 6, 2005
January Sales Release Thurs., Feb. 3, 2005
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty
retailers, with 149 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe
store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 93 full-line stores, 49 Nordstrom
Racks, five Faconnable boutiques, one free-standing shoe store, and one
clearance store. Nordstrom also operates 31 international Faconnable
boutiques, primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom serves customers
through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct
mail catalogs.
Investor Contact:
Stephanie Allen, 206-303-3262
Media Contact:
Deniz Anders, 206-373-3038