Understand any stock in simple English
Enter a ticker to learn what the company does and how it makes money.
Nordstrom is a department store retailer that sells clothing, shoes, beauty products, accessories, and home goods for the whole family.
Nordstrom is a department store chain where families go to buy clothes, shoes, beauty products, accessories, and things for the home — for women, men, young adults, and children. It has long been known for customer service that goes further than most retailers: generous returns, helpful salespeople, and a shopping experience that feels a bit more personal than a big-box store.
The company makes money in two main ways. The first is its full-price stores, including its flagship department stores and Nordstrom Local service hubs. The second is Nordstrom Rack, its off-price chain that sells clearance and discounted brand-name goods to bargain hunters. There is also a large online business, and a loyalty program that keeps customers coming back. Nordstrom also operates in Canada. The Rack off-price business has become a bigger part of the story over time, because shoppers love a deal and the off-price segment tends to draw steady traffic. Things changed for Nordstrom in a big way. The company was founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom, a Swedish immigrant who started with a single shoe store in Seattle, and the family kept control for generations. But in late 2024, the founding family and Mexican retail giant El Puerto de Liverpool struck a deal to take Nordstrom private. The transaction closed in 2025, so Nordstrom's shares no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The Nordstrom family and Liverpool now own the company together, which means it can focus on long-term fixes without the quarterly pressure of public markets.
That privacy matters because department stores have had a rough stretch. Nordstrom competes with other big retailers and with brands selling directly to shoppers online, and it has faced the same traffic and margin pressures as the rest of the industry. Going private gives the owners room to invest in stores, the Rack chain, and the website without worrying about Wall Street's reaction every three months. The bet is that a patient, privately held Nordstrom can protect the service culture that made it famous while adapting to how people shop today.
Saved answer · last researched 15 Nov 2026