Nordstrom

Nordstrom, founded in 1901 as a humble Seattle shoe store by John W. Nordstrom and Carl Wallin, has since evolved into the epitome of department store luxury, where customer service is treated with near-religious fervor. The company’s ascent to retail royalty came through strategic expansions, including its highly praised in-house brands and the creation of the cult-favorite Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The 1971 IPO solidified its status, but the stock has seen its ups and downs, much like the retail landscape it navigates. Recent years have not been without controversy, with the company pulling Ivanka Trump’s line amidst political pressures, sparking debate about retail’s role in politics. Now led by the fourth generation of the Nordstrom family, the retailer is grappling with the digital age, fighting to maintain its high-touch legacy in a world increasingly dominated by clicks over bricks. Nordstrom’s legacy? A masterclass in adapting old-world elegance to new-world challenges, even as the ground beneath shifts.