Exhibit 12.1 NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Computation of Ratio of Earnings Available for Fixed Charges to Fixed Charges (Dollars in thousands) Year ended January 31, 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 - ---------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings before income taxes $23,429 $15,265 $34,676 $47,572 $42,959 Fixed charges (interest cost) 25,012 29,339 27,208 31,586 36,475 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings available for fixed charges $48,441 $44,604 $61,884 $79,158 $79,434 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings available for fixed charges to fixed charges 1.94 1.52 2.27 2.51 2.18 ======= ======= ======= ======= =======