Nordstrom implements reopening measures

Just as Macy’s has put a plan in place for a cautious reopening during the COVID-19 climate, Nordstrom released its latest business update that includes the closing of 16 stores permanently but a phased-out reopening where it can.

Stores have been temporarily closed since March 17.

“Nordstrom plans to reopen stores in a phased, market-by-market approach where allowed by local authorities and with the health and safety of employees, customers and communities as a priority,” the company said without sharing an exact date of opening. “Given this phased approach, the company is shifting its Anniversary Sale event from July into August."

As stores reopen, Nordstrom did outline measures that will be taking place:

• conducting health screenings for employees;
• providing face coverings for employees and customers;
• taking steps to allow for social distancing of six feet or more, including limiting the number of customers and employees in the store;
• increasing cleaning and sanitization;
• modifying the fitting room experience;
• continuing to offer contactless curbside services at full-line stores;
• altering hours of operation;
• pausing or adapting high-touch services and customer events;
• keeping tried-on or returned merchandise off the sales floor for a period of time.

Nordstrom will continue to focus on e-commerce, too, which represented a third of 2019 sales, per the retailer.

More than half of Nordstrom.com orders are currently fulfilled from full-line stores, and a quarter of Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook.com orders are now fulfilled by Nordstrom Rack stores. Nordstrom recently launched its dedicated e-commerce site to serve customers in Canada, with all online sales fulfilled from the six full-line stores there.

“We’ve been investing in our digital and physical capabilities to keep pace with rapidly changing customer expectations. The impact of COVID-19 is only accelerating the importance of these capabilities in serving customers,” said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom Inc., Seattle. “More than ever, we need to work with flexibility and speed. Our market strategy helps with both, bringing inventory closer to where customers live and work, allowing us to use our stores as fulfillment centers to get products to customers faster, and connecting digital and physical experiences with services like curbside pickup and returns.”