Nordstrom to permanently close 16 full-line stores

SEATTLE — Nordstrom announced Tuesday that it plans to permanently close 16 full-line stores nationwide and restructure its operations.

KIRO 7 reached out to Nordstrom and the company confirmed no stores in Washington are closing.

Six California locations won’t reopen -- Santa Barbara, Riverside, Escondido, Sacramento, Pleasanton and Montclair. The other 10 stores are San Juan, Puerto Rico; Hurst, Texas; Happy Valley, Ore.; Broomfield, Colo.; Chandler, Ariz.; Freehold, N.J.; Annapolis, Md.; Richmond, Va.; and Miami and Naples, Fla.

The retailer said in a news release that restructuring is expected to result in expense savings of approximately $150 million.

“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, CEO of Nordstrom.

Nordstrom stores temporarily closed its stores in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“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,” Nordstrom said.

The company said it 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 stores reopen, Nordstrom will be making changes to keep customers and employees safe.

Also, its Anniversary Sale event will be moved from July to August.

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