“We’ve been investing in our digital and physical capabilities to keep pace with rapidly changing customer expectations,” said Erik Nordstrom.
The retailer announced on Tuesday its plans to close 16 full-line stores, representing nearly 14 percent of the brick-and-mortar fleet that carries the retailer’s entire assortment.
Nordstrom, Inc. is the latest retailer to take a significant hit due to the crushing impact of COVID-19.
“The impact of COVID-19 is only accelerating the importance of these capabilities in serving customers.” Nordstrom currently operates 378 stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, including 116 full-line stores, which have been temporarily closed since March 17.
In a statement, company CEO Erik Nordstrom outlined the various actions that the retailer is taking to “increase flexibility and agility in serving customers and position the business for the long-term.” Alongside shuttering several of its physical stores, Nordstrom is also prepared to restructure various roles at the regional, support and corporate levels, which is projected to save the retailer approximately $150 million USD.
As Nordstrom prepares to reopen stores, the company will enact a phased “market-by-market approach.” It also plans to enforce now-standard practices like social distancing, increased sanitization and providing face covering for employees, among other strategies.
APPARATUS 