Exhibit 12.1 NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. Computation of Ratio of Earnings Available for Fixed Charges to Fixed Charges (Dollars in thousands) Year ended January 31, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 - ---------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings before income taxes $34,676 $47,572 $42,959 $47,024 $35,086 Fixed charges (interest cost) 27,209 31,586 36,475 41,089 42,245 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings available for fixed charges $61,885 $79,158 $79,434 $88,113 $77,331 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings available for fixed charges to fixed charges 2.27 2.51 2.18 2.14 1.83 ======= ======= ======= ======= =======