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, 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 --------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings before income taxes $75,306 $23,429 $15,265 $34,676 $47,572 Fixed charges (interest cost) 23,786 25,012 29,339 27,208 31,586 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings available for fixed charges $99,092 $48,441 $44,604 $61,884 $79,158 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= RATIO OF EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES TO FIXED CHARGES 4.17 1.94 1.52 2.27 2.51 ======= ======= ======= ======= =======