<page> Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
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January 5, 2005
NORDSTROM DECEMBER SAME-STORE SALES INCREASE 9.3 PERCENT
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SEATTLE - January 5, 2005 - Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported
preliminary sales of $1,046.0 million for the five-week period ending January
1, 2005, an increase of 11.7 percent compared to sales of $936.2 million for
the five-week period ending January 3, 2004. Same-store sales increased 9.3
percent.
Preliminary quarter-to-date sales of $1.7 billion increased 9.5 percent
compared to 2003 quarter-to-date sales of $1.6 billion. Quarter-to-date same
store-sales increased 6.8 percent.
Preliminary year-to-date sales of $6.7 billion increased 11.0 percent
compared to sales of $6.1 billion in 2003. Year-to-date same-store sales
increased 8.5 percent.
SALES RECORDING
To hear Nordstrom's prerecorded December sales message, please dial (402)
220-6036. This recording will be available for one week.
<table>
<caption>
SALES SUMMARY
(unaudited; December December QTD QTD YTD YTD
$ in millions) 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003
--------- --------- ---- ---- ---- ----
<s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c>
Total sales $1,046.0 $936.2 $1,713.7 $1,564.6 $6,744.7 $6,075.9
Total sales
percentage change 11.7% 12.3% 9.5% 11.4% 11.0% 8.1%
Same-store sales
percentage change 9.3% 9.0% 6.8% 8.3% 8.5% 3.9%
Number of stores
Full-line 94 92
Rack and other 56 56
International
Faconnable
boutiques 31 31
--- ---
Total 181 179
Gross square
footage 19,439,000 19,138,000
</table>
GAAP SALES PERFORMANCE
The additional information provided in this section is to comply with the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation G. The Company converted to a
4-5-4 Retail Calendar at the beginning of 2003. Year-to-date results for 2003
include one more day than the year-to-date for 2004. The Company believes
that adjusting for this difference provides a more comparable basis from which
to evaluate sales performance. The following reconciliation bridges the year-
to-date 2003 GAAP sales to the 4-5-4 comparable sales.
<table>
<caption>
Dollar % Change % Change
Sales Reconciliation ($M) YTD 2003 YTD 2004 Increase Total Sales Comp Sales
-------- -------- -------- ----------- ----------
<s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c>
Number of Days GAAP 337 336
GAAP Sales $6,094.1 $6,744.7 $650.6 10.7% 8.2%
Less Feb. 1, 2003 sales ($18.2) --
-------- --------
Reported 4-5-4 sales $6,075.9 $6,744.7 $668.8 11.0% 8.5%
========= =========
4-5-4 Adjusted Days 336 336
</table>
<page>
FUTURE REPORTING DATES
Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is
currently planned as follows:
January Sales Release Thurs., Feb. 3, 2005
Fourth Quarter Earnings Tues., Feb. 15, 2005
February Sales Release Thurs., Mar. 3, 2005
March Sales Release Thurs., April 7, 2005
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers,
with 150 US stores located in 27 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in
Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 94 full-line stores, 49 Nordstrom Racks,
five Faconnable boutiques, one free-standing shoe store, and one clearance
store. Nordstrom also operates 31 international Faconnable boutiques,
primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom serves customers through its
online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail
catalogs.
Investor Contact:
Stephanie Allen, 206-303-3262
Media Contact:
Deniz Anders, 206-373-3038