Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Department Stores / Nordstrom

Nordstrom

jwn · NYSE Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker jwn
Exchange NYSE
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Department Stores
Employees 10,000+
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FY2008 Annual Report · Nordstrom
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Nordstrom, Inc. 

ANNUAL REPORT2008

our  scorecard

Dollars in millions except per share and per square foot amounts

Fiscal Year 

Net sales 
Earnings before income taxes  
Net earnings 
Earnings per basic share 
Earnings per diluted share 
Cash dividends paid per share 

(cid:27)(cid:43)(cid:42)(cid:44)

(cid:27)(cid:43)(cid:42)(cid:44)

(cid:27)(cid:43)(cid:41)(cid:42)

(cid:27)(cid:43)(cid:41)(cid:42)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:47)(cid:47)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:47)(cid:47)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:48)(cid:41)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:48)(cid:41)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:48)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:48)

2008 

$8,272 
648 
401 
1.85 
1.83 
0.64 

2007 

$8,828 
1,173 
715 
2.92 
2.88 
0.54 

% Change

(6.3) 
(44.8)
(43.9) 
(36.6)
(36.5)
18.5

(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:28)

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(cid:42)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:46)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:43)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:43)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:42)(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:42)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:42)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:41)(cid:28) (cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28) (cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:46)(cid:28)
(cid:41)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:41)(cid:28) (cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28) (cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:46)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

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(cid:41)(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:28)

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(cid:41)(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:46)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)
Sales per Square Foot

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

 Same-store Sales Percentage Change

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)
(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)
(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)
(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:28)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)
(cid:45)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)
(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)
(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)
(cid:42)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)
(cid:42)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)
(cid:31)(cid:48)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:28)(cid:32)
(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)
(cid:31)(cid:48)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:28)(cid:32)

(cid:40)(cid:41)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

(cid:40)(cid:41)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:28)

(cid:40)(cid:41)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)

(cid:40)(cid:41)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)

(cid:40)(cid:40)(cid:37)(cid:42)(cid:28)

(cid:40)(cid:40)(cid:37)(cid:42)(cid:28)

(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)

(cid:47)(cid:37)(cid:48)(cid:28)

(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:45)(cid:28)

(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:45)(cid:28)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)
Gross Profit  
(as a Percentage of Net Sales)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)
SG&A Expense  
As a Percentage of Net Sales:

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:75)(cid:102)(cid:107)(cid:88)(cid:99)(cid:23)

(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:58)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:91)(cid:96)(cid:107)(cid:23)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:94)(cid:100)(cid:92)(cid:101)(cid:107)

(cid:73)(cid:92)(cid:107)(cid:88)(cid:96)(cid:99)(cid:35)(cid:23)(cid:59)(cid:96)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:90)(cid:107)(cid:23)(cid:88)(cid:101)(cid:91)(cid:23)(cid:70)(cid:107)(cid:95)(cid:92)(cid:105)(cid:23)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:94)(cid:100)(cid:92)(cid:101)(cid:107)(cid:106)
(cid:75)(cid:102)(cid:107)(cid:88)(cid:99)(cid:23)

(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:58)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:91)(cid:96)(cid:107)(cid:23)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:94)(cid:100)(cid:92)(cid:101)(cid:107)

(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:40)(cid:45)

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(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:41)(cid:39)

(cid:44)(cid:37)(cid:41)(cid:39)

(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:43)

(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:47)(cid:43)

(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:40)

(cid:43)(cid:37)(cid:44)(cid:40)

(cid:27)(cid:40)(cid:35)(cid:40)(cid:43)(cid:41)

(cid:27)(cid:46)(cid:46)(cid:45)

(cid:27)(cid:46)(cid:46)(cid:45)

(cid:27)(cid:45)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:27)(cid:45)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:73)(cid:92)(cid:107)(cid:88)(cid:96)(cid:99)(cid:35)(cid:23)(cid:59)(cid:96)(cid:105)(cid:92)(cid:90)(cid:107)(cid:23)(cid:88)(cid:101)(cid:91)(cid:23)(cid:70)(cid:107)(cid:95)(cid:92)(cid:105)(cid:23)(cid:74)(cid:92)(cid:94)(cid:100)(cid:92)(cid:101)(cid:107)(cid:106)
(cid:27)(cid:40)(cid:35)(cid:40)(cid:43)(cid:41)

(cid:27)(cid:48)(cid:46)(cid:44)
(cid:31)(cid:56)(cid:91)(cid:97)(cid:108)(cid:106)(cid:107)(cid:92)(cid:91)(cid:32)
(cid:27)(cid:48)(cid:46)(cid:44)
(cid:31)(cid:56)(cid:91)(cid:97)(cid:108)(cid:106)(cid:107)(cid:92)(cid:91)(cid:32)

(cid:27)(cid:47)(cid:43)(cid:47)

(cid:27)(cid:47)(cid:43)(cid:47)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:40)(cid:41)

(cid:27)(cid:42)(cid:40)(cid:41)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)(cid:150)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

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(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:43)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:44)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:45)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:46)(cid:150)

(cid:41)(cid:39)(cid:39)(cid:47)

Earnings before Income Taxes  
(as a Percentage of Total Revenues)

Inventory Turn (cost of sales and  
related buying and occupancy  
divided by average inventory)

Cash Flow from Operations

†2007 cash flow from operations was $312. Cash flow from operations was impacted in 2007 by the securitization accounting change and, to a lesser extent, growth in 
credit accounts receivable. 2007 adjusted cash flow from operations of $975 is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated as follows: cash flow from operations 
of $312, plus the impact of $1,083 related to accounts receivable, and less the impact of $420 related to the investment in asset-backed securities, both primarily 
related to the securitization accounting change. We believe that adjusted cash flow from operations is a useful measure for investors to understand the effect of the 
securitization accounting change in comparing 2007 results to other years. It should not be considered a substitute for cash flow from operations.

  
Dear  customers,  employees  anD  shareholDers,

While 2008 was a challenging year for Nordstrom, we made a number of positive strides and believe the company is well 
positioned in the marketplace with stores in the best locations across the country. Despite the tough climate, we continued 
to execute our long-term strategy by staying focused on the quality of our customers’ shopping experience, both in our 
stores and online. Our optimism for growing the company and our multi-channel capabilities remains strong as we continue 
to strive to gain market share with customers. Throughout the year ahead, we remain committed to a superior customer 
experience and merchandise offering while continuing our focus on operating an efficient and profitable business.

Eighteen months ago, in fall 2007, we experienced a softening in our top-line sales, causing inventories to outpace our 
sales. As a management team, we took steps to get our inventories and expenses aligned with our projected sales. We 
developed alternative plans based on various scenarios to ensure we could react quickly to changing conditions. These 
steps  put  the  company  on  solid  footing  in  2008  and  positioned  us  to  respond  quickly  to  the  precipitous  drop  in  the 
economy  last  October.  As  market  circumstances  changed,  we  responded  by  realigning  inventories  and  reducing  both 
expenses and capital expenditures once again, which enabled us to manage the business effectively. 

Let’s review 2008 results, which contained a few bright spots: 

•   Sales — Our original plan was flat to negative low single digit same-store sales, which was realistic at the 
beginning of the year. Market conditions changed and we ended the year with a total sales decrease of  
6.3% to $8.3 billion, and a same-store sales decrease of 9.0%.

•   SG&A — We cut selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $130 million, excluding incremental 
expenses related to bad debt and new stores. We will continue to rigorously manage expenses while maintaining 
our focus on the customer’s experience at point of sale.

•   Earnings — Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were $779 million, a 37% decrease compared to last year’s 

EBIT of $1.2 billion. 

•   Full-line Stores — We opened eight stores in 2008. Our full-line stores experienced a 12.4% same-store sales 
decrease. While sales were down, our year-end inventory per square foot was aligned with sales, down 12% 
compared with last year. 

•   Nordstrom Rack — We opened six Nordstrom Racks in 2008. Our Rack division once again had an outstanding 

year, achieving a 3.1% same-store sales increase and providing a secondary sales outlet to keep our Nordstrom 
store inventories fresh.  

•   Nordstrom Direct — Net sales increased 8.4% in Nordstrom Direct, our online and catalog business. This indicates 

that many of our customers want to be served through multiple channels and our ability to do this well is 
contributing to sales growth for the company.

While  we  certainly  weren’t  satisfied  with  the  overall  results,  we  positioned  ourselves  well  from  a  financial  standpoint 
to  begin  the  new  year  and  lay  groundwork  for  the  future.  As  we  move  into  2009,  business  is  and  will  continue  to  be 
challenging. While we don’t know how long the current economic downturn will last, we do have a solid strategy in place 
to navigate these difficult times. We’ve made great strides to ensure that every dollar spent is meaningful to the customer 
experience — and we continue to challenge activities that are not. Our strategy addresses four key efforts:

•   Strive to improve our customers’ service experience. 

•   Continue to evolve our merchandise offering to meet the changing needs of our customers.

•   Deepen  the  personal  relationships  with  our  customers  through  our  multi-channel  shopping  experience  and 

Nordstrom Fashion Rewards® program.

•   Manage the business effectively through an unpredictable environment and emerge stronger.

The cornerstone of our strategy is customer service. Deepening customer relationships is a simple notion that can be hard 
to master and there is literally no finish line — we can always work to improve. For us to be effective we need to continue 
doing all we can to serve each customer properly. The relationship our salespeople have with each customer is the heart 
and soul of our customer service. Our goal is to give our salespeople the tools and freedom they need to develop those 
relationships.  One  such  vehicle  is  Personal  Book,  a  dynamic  tool  at  the  register  that  allows  salespeople  to  build  and 
strengthen customer relationships. Among its many features, Personal Book enables salespeople to focus on customer 
preferences, so they can be more proactive in serving each customer and driving their business.

Second, our merchants continue to adjust inventory levels with a keen eye to brands and price points our customers want. 
We know customers still desire quality and newness in fashion, yet they are more deliberate with their purchases and place 
a higher priority on value. Our long-standing tradition of ensuring we have integrity in our pricing, every day of the year, is 
especially relevant today. We are proud of our buyers’ heightened efforts to seek out the best values in the marketplace and 
to continue to pursue new trends and hot items. We have also done a better job of utilizing Direct-to-Customer shipping, or 
DTCs, which enables salespeople to meet customer demand in our stores by accessing inventory company-wide.

A third focus of our strategy is to deepen customer relationships through our multi-channel shopping experience and our 
Nordstrom Fashion Rewards® program. We made substantial strides toward a seamless multi-channel shopping experience 
in 2008 by adding a new convenience called ‘Buy Online, Pick Up In Store.’ This service enables customers to buy items 
online, then pick them up at one of our stores, usually within one hour. Our customers responded well to this convenience 
and many customers utilized it during the holidays. In addition, we continued to evolve Nordstrom Fashion Rewards, our 
customer loyalty program. Customers who utilize this program continue to outspend customers not taking advantage of 
Nordstrom Rewards. 

The fourth point of our strategy involves managing our business effectively during this challenging economy. We have 
made tough decisions in the past year to scale back expenditures where necessary without compromising our approach 
to  customer  service.  We  cut  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  by  approximately  $130  million,  excluding 
incremental expenses related to bad debt and new stores. We also plan to reduce major store remodels from six per year 
to two and have postponed several new store openings. We have not cut maintenance capital because it’s important that 
we maintain the look, feel and experience of shopping in our stores. We expect our actions in 2009 related to inventory, 
expenses, working capital and capital expenditures will allow us to generate positive free cash flow this year and position 
the company well when the economy recovers.

Our operating margins and low debt ratio put us in the top tier of our industry. We also see benefit in our investment-grade 
credit ratings which rank higher than the majority of our peers. In addition, we have $950 million in short-term borrowing 
facilities, which provides flexibility in managing our business. 

We  are  particularly  proud  of  the  over  50,000  Nordstrom  employees  who  are  working  hard  to  make  business  happen. 
Even in a down economy, we have numerous examples of salespeople exceeding their goals, and going above and beyond 
to  better  serve  the  customer.  It’s  especially  important  for  our  people  to  know  that  the  company  values  their  efforts, 
welcomes their input and trusts in their ability to make a difference with our customers. If we work collectively as a team, 
our entrepreneurial spirit and culture of service will help us realize the goals before us. When our salespeople think of 
Nordstrom as their own business, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.

Finally, we are encouraged by the feedback we receive from our customers. We know there are many places where people 
can shop, so we are especially grateful that they continue to choose Nordstrom. 

For us to be effective, we need to continue doing all we can to serve each customer well and find ways to drive top-line sales. 
We have many bright spots in our business that reaffirm for all of us that we have the right foundation and principles.

On behalf of everyone at Nordstrom, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Blake W. Nordstrom
President, Nordstrom, Inc.

a  note  from  our  chairman

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to address all of you, our shareholders, on the progress the company 
made in 2008, and why we believe Nordstrom is well positioned for 2009 and beyond. As directors, we are committed, 
along with the management team, to ensuring that the company’s reputation, financial position and customer service are 
maintained at the highest level, and that our people are performing to the best of their ability. Our goal, ultimately, is to 
serve our shareholders in a manner that warrants your support, trust and continued investment.  

Last  year  at  this  time,  Blake  Nordstrom  outlined  in  the  annual  report  Nordstrom’s  strategy,  which  comprised:  gaining 
market share by investing in and driving strong performance by existing stores, expanding our presence in the best retail 
locations around the country, growing our multi-channel business, and investing time and resources in developing leaders. 
The board gave its full support to this strategy. Even though 2008 sales results fell short of all of our expectations, we 
believe management made the necessary adjustments during the year to protect the company’s interests and to compete 
in an extremely challenging retail environment. We found ourselves, along with many other businesses, working hard in the 
fall to adjust to a new sales reality. Throughout the year, the team set inventories appropriately and managed expenses well 
with an eye toward continuing the quality of Nordstrom customers’ shopping experience both in our stores and online.

While we expect times ahead will be turbulent, we believe changes in the marketplace will present 
opportunities  for  Nordstrom.  During  the  last  several  years,  we  have  focused  on  the  company’s 
financial condition in order to ensure that our credit rating and access to capital would provide the 
advantages necessary to maintain and grow our business. Our investment-grade credit ratings and 
access to $950 million in short-term borrowing facilities should position us well, not only for 2009, 
but also for the foreseeable future. We are encouraged about where the company is positioned in 
the retail landscape. We also believe the advantages Nordstrom holds in terms of reputation with 
the customer, the caliber of its employees and management, and its strong performance will allow 
Nordstrom to gain market share and take advantage of opportunities that may arise during these 
times, emerging a stronger company.

The Nordstrom Board of Directors, through our Compensation Committee, consistently has sought 
to  maintain  a  pay-for-performance  compensation  philosophy.  This  approach  extends  from  the 
salespeople who operate on a commission basis through those members of the executive team who 
are rewarded on an EBIT and Return on Invested Capital basis. These measures are highly correlated 
with shareholder value and we believe foster outcomes that are in the best interest of our customers 
and shareholders. Our approach is simple and straightforward and we try to be as transparent as 
possible with our compensation methodology. Though good governance in and of itself does not 
dictate or determine shareholder value performance, it is an important aspect of Nordstrom, and 
one for which we are proud to see the company consistently recognized as exemplary. 

We  also  are  proud  that  the  company  was  recently  named  to  Fortune  magazine’s  “World’s  Most  Admired  Companies,” 
ranking 24th globally. Additionally, we are honored to be recognized in Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For®” list. 
Nordstrom is one of only 12 companies to receive this honor every year since Fortune began printing this list in 1998, and 
one of only five companies to make the list every year since The 100 Best Companies to Work For® book was first published 
in 1984. 

While fully aware of the economic circumstances facing our nation and our business, we are well positioned for the coming 
year and believe the best years for Nordstrom lie ahead. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, thank you for your 
continued support.

Enrique Hernandez, Jr.
Chairman

FINANCIALS
2008

[This page intentionally left blank.] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

(Mark One) 
(cid:1) 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 

OR 

(cid:2) 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the transition period from____________ to ____________ 

Commission file number 001-15059 

NORDSTROM, INC. 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) 

Washington 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 

1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

91-0515058 
(IRS employer 
Identification No.) 

98101 
(Zip code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 206-628-2111 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 
Common stock, without par value 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
New York Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES (cid:1) NO (cid:2) 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES (cid:2) NO (cid:1) 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act  
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject  
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES (cid:1) NO (cid:2) 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,  
to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:2)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. 
See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act: 
Large accelerated filer (cid:1)     
Non-accelerated filer (cid:2)  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Accelerated filer (cid:2)    
Smaller reporting company (cid:2) 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES (cid:2) NO (cid:1) 

As of August 1, 2008 the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant  
was approximately $5.2 billion using the closing sales price on that day of $28.92. On March 11, 2009, 215,485,680 shares of common stock  
were outstanding.  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 19, 2009 are incorporated into Part III. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  1 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I 

Business. 

Item 1. 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors. 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments. 
Item 2.  Properties. 
Item 3. 
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. 

Legal Proceedings. 

PART II 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data. 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 
Item 8. 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. 
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures. 
Item 9B.  Other Information. 

PART III 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation. 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters. 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. 
Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services. 

PART IV 

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. 

Signatures 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 
Exhibit Index 

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Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  3 

  
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
      
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Business. 

PART I 

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS 
Nordstrom incorporated in the state of Washington in 1946 as the successor to a retail shoe business that started in 1901. We are one of the nation’s 
leading fashion specialty retailers, with 171 U.S. stores located in 28 states as of March 20, 2009. The west coast and east coast are the areas in which 
we have the largest presence. Nordstrom is comprised of four segments: Retail Stores, Direct, Credit, and Other. 

Retail Stores derives its revenues from sales of high-quality apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories. It includes our 109 ‘Nordstrom’ full-line stores, 
58 off-price ‘Nordstrom Rack’ stores, two clearance stores that operate under the name ‘Last Chance,’ and two ‘Jeffrey’ boutiques. The Nordstrom Rack 
stores purchase merchandise directly from manufacturers and also serve as outlets for clearance merchandise from our full-line stores. 

In 2008, we opened eight full-line stores (Aventura, Florida; Honolulu, Hawaii; Burlington, Massachusetts; Clinton Township, Michigan; Thousand Oaks, 
California; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Naples, Florida), relocated one full-line store (Tacoma, Washington) and opened six Rack 
stores (White Plains, New York; Laguna Hills, California; Naperville, Illinois; Lyndhurst, Ohio; Danvers, Massachusetts; and San Antonio, Texas). To date in 
2009, we have relocated one full-line store (Murray, Utah) and opened two new Rack stores (Paramus, New Jersey and Dallas, Texas). During the 
remainder of 2009, we are scheduled to open three full-line stores (Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Peabody, Massachusetts; and Cincinnati, Ohio) and open 
eight additional Rack stores (Sandy, Utah; Orland Park, Illinois; East Palo Alto, California; Los Angeles, California; Southlake, Texas; Orlando, Florida; 
Pasadena, California; and Cincinnati, Ohio). In 2010, we are scheduled to open three full-line stores, relocate one full-line store and open four  
Rack stores.  

Direct generates revenues from sales of high-quality apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories by serving our customers on the Internet at 
www.nordstrom.com and through our catalogs. The Direct segment’s sales are primarily shipped via third-party carriers from our fulfillment center in 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Through our wholly owned federal savings bank, Nordstrom fsb, we offer a private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards and a debit card for 
Nordstrom purchases. The credit and debit cards feature a shopping-based loyalty program designed to increase customer visits and spending in our 
Retail Stores and Direct segments. Our Credit segment generates income through finance charges and other fees on these cards.  

Our Other segment includes our product development team, called Nordstrom Product Group, which designs and contracts to manufacture private label 
merchandise sold in our Retail Stores and Direct. In addition, this segment includes our corporate center operations. During the time that we owned it, 
this segment also included the operations of our Façonnable business. 

For more information about our business and our reportable segments, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition  
and Results of Operations” on page 15 and Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. 

FISCAL YEAR END 
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31st. References to 2008 relate to the 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.  
References to 2007 and 2006 relate to the 52-week fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 and 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, respectively. 
Fiscal year 2006 includes an extra week (the 53rd week) as a result of our 4-5-4 retail reporting calendar. References to 2009 relate to the 52-week 
fiscal year ending January 30, 2010. 

TRADEMARKS 
We have approximately 139 registered trademarks or trademark applications. Our most notable trademarks include Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack,  
John W. Nordstrom, Caslon, and Classiques Entier. Each of our trademarks is renewable indefinitely provided that it is still used in commerce  
at the time of the renewal. 

RETURN POLICY 
We offer our customers a fair and liberal return policy at our full-line stores and Nordstrom Direct (online and catalog). Our Nordstrom Rack stores 
accept returns up to 30 days from the date of purchase. In general, our return policy is somewhat more generous than industry standards.  
We utilize historical return patterns to estimate our expected returns.  

SEASONALITY 
Due to our Anniversary Sale in July and the holidays in December, historically, sales are higher for our Retail Stores and Direct in the second and fourth 
quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. 

INVENTORY  
We plan our merchandise purchases and receipts to coincide with the selling patterns that we expect. For instance, our merchandise purchases and 
receipts increase prior to our Anniversary Sale, which extends over the last two weeks of July. Also, we purchase and receive a larger amount of 
merchandise in the fall as we prepare for the holiday shopping season (from late November through early January). We pay for our merchandise 
purchases under the terms established with our vendors.  

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In order to offer merchandise that our customers want, we purchase merchandise from a wide variety of high-quality suppliers. We also have 
arrangements with agents and contract manufacturers to produce our private label merchandise. Our suppliers include domestic and foreign 
businesses. We expect our suppliers to meet our “Nordstrom Partnership: Standards and Business Practice Guidelines,” which address our standards for 
matters such as law, labor, health and safety, and environment.  

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS 
Our business is highly competitive. Each of our stores competes with other national, regional and local retail establishments that may carry similar 
lines of merchandise, including department stores, specialty stores, boutiques and Internet businesses. Our specific competitors vary from market to 
market. We believe the principal methods of competing in our industry include customer service, fashion, quality of product, depth of selection, store 
environment and location. 

EMPLOYEES 
During 2008, we regularly employed on a full- or part-time basis approximately 51,000 employees. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, 
employment increased to approximately 54,000 employees in July 2008 and 52,000 in December 2008. 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT 
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 
of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, anticipated financial results, store openings, capital expenditures and 
dividend yield, and trends in company operations. Such statements are based upon current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and 
are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or current expectations 
depending upon factors including, but not limited to, the impact of deteriorating economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on 
consumer spending patterns, the company’s ability to respond to the business environment and fashion trends, the competitive pricing environment 
within the retail sector, effective inventory management, the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns, successful 
execution of the company’s store growth strategy including the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations, 
and remodels, all of which may be impacted by the financial health of third parties, the company’s compliance with applicable banking and related laws 
and regulations impacting the company’s ability to extend credit to its customers, the company’s compliance with information security and privacy 
laws and regulations, employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to the company, successful execution of the 
company’s multi-channel strategy, the company’s ability to safeguard its brand and reputation, efficient and proper allocation of the company’s capital 
resources, successful execution of the company’s technology strategy, trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs, availability and cost of 
credit, changes in interest rates, the company’s ability to maintain its relationships with company employees and to effectively train and develop its 
future leaders, the company’s ability to control costs, risks related to fluctuations in world currencies, weather conditions and hazards of nature that 
affect consumer traffic and consumers’ purchasing patterns, and the timing and amounts of any share repurchases by the company.  

These and other factors could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking 
statements we may make. As a result, while we believe there is a reasonable basis for the forward-looking statements, you should not place undue 
reliance on those statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new 
information or future circumstances.  

SEC FILINGS 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All material we 
file with the SEC is publicly available at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information 
on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet Web site at www.sec.gov that 
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. 

WEB SITE ACCESS 
Our Internet Web site address is www.nordstrom.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet Web site our annual reports on  
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, statements of changes in beneficial ownership of securities on Form 4 and 
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we 
electronically file the report with or furnish it to the SEC. Interested parties may also access a webcast of quarterly earnings conference calls and other 
financial events over our Internet Web site. 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
We have a long-standing commitment to upholding a high level of ethical standards. In addition, as required by the listing standards of the New  
York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the rules of the SEC, we have adopted Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics for our employees, officers and 
directors (“Codes of Ethics”) and Corporate Governance Guidelines. We have posted on our Internet Web site our Codes of Ethics, our Corporate 
Governance Guidelines, and our Committee Charters for the Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating, Executive, and Finance 
committees. These items are also available in print to any person, without charge, upon request to: 

  Nordstrom, Inc. Investor Relations 
  P.O. Box 2737 
  Seattle, Washington 98111-2737 

(206) 303-3200 
invrelations@nordstrom.com 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  5 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors.  
(Dollars in millions) 

Our business faces many risks. We believe the risks described below outline the items of most concern to us. However, these risks are not the only ones 
we face. Additional risks and uncertainties, not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial, may also impair our business 
operations. 

DETERIORIATION OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 
The recent deterioration in economic conditions has hurt our business in several ways. Instability in the stock market, tightening of consumer credit 
and the recent decline in the housing market in the United States has caused a reduction in consumer spending. This has had a significant negative 
impact on our revenues. We sell high-quality apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories, which many consumers consider to be discretionary items. 
During economic downturns, fewer customers may shop in our stores and on our Web site, and those who do shop may limit the amount of their 
purchases, all of which may lead to higher markdowns and increased marketing and promotional spending in response to lower demand. The 
deterioration of economic conditions has also adversely affected our credit customers’ payment patterns and default rates, increasing our bad debt 
expense. We do not expect that economic conditions are likely to improve significantly in the near future, and a continuation or worsening of the credit 
crisis, or even the fear of such a development, could continue to harm our business. 

ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND FASHION TRENDS 
Our ability to predict or respond to changes in fashion trends and consumer preferences quickly, and to match our merchandise mix to consumer 
tastes, impacts our sales and operating results. If we do not identify and respond to emerging trends in lifestyle and consumer preferences quickly 
enough, we may be forced to sell our merchandise at higher average markdown levels and lower average margins, which could harm our business.  
In addition, many factors outside of our control, including consumer confidence, weather and other hazards of nature that affect consumer traffic,  
and general economic conditions could decrease consumer spending at our stores.  

BRAND AND REPUTATION 
We have a well-recognized brand that many customers believe offers a high level of customer service and quality merchandise. Any significant damage to 
our brand or reputation could negatively impact sales, reduce employee morale and productivity, and diminish customer trust, any of which would harm 
our business.  

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT 
We strive to ensure the merchandise we offer remains fresh and compelling to our customers. We make decisions regarding inventory purchases well in 
advance of the season in which it will be sold. If we are not successful at predicting our sales trends and adjusting our purchases, we may have excess 
inventory, which would result in additional markdowns and reduce our operating performance. This could have an adverse effect on margins and net 
earnings. Conversely, if we fail to purchase enough merchandise, we may not have an adequate supply of products to meet our customers’ demand. 
This may cause us to lose sales or harm our customer relationships. 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND LIQUIDITY  
Our goal is to invest capital to maximize our overall long-term returns. This includes spending on inventory, capital projects and expenses, managing 
debt levels, managing accounts receivable through our credit business and returning value to our shareholders through dividends and share 
repurchases. To a large degree, capital management and liquidity reflects how well we manage our other key risks. The actions we take to address 
other specific risks could affect how well we manage the more general risk of capital management and liquidity. If we do not properly allocate our 
capital to maximize returns, our business may suffer.  

IMPACT OF COMPETITIVE MARKET FORCES 
The retail industry environment continues to change for many of our vendors and customers. In the future, our competition may partner more 
effectively with vendors to serve consumers’ needs. If we do not effectively respond to changes in our environment, we may see a loss of market share 
to competitors, declining sales and declining profitability due to higher markdowns. 

STORE GROWTH PLAN 
Our five-year strategic growth plan includes opening several new full-line and Rack stores, with 28 announced store openings through 2013. We 
compete with other retailers and businesses for suitable locations for our stores. Local land use and other regulations may impact our ability to find 
suitable locations. New store openings also involve certain risks, including constructing, furnishing and supplying a store in a timely and cost effective 
manner and accurately assessing the demographic or retail environment for a particular location. Our future sales at new, relocated or remodeled 
stores may not meet our projections, which could affect our return on investment. Performance in our new stores could also be negatively impacted if 
we are unable to hire employees who are able to deliver the level of service our customers have come to expect when shopping in our stores. Our 
expected opening dates have sometimes been delayed because of developer plan delays. If these developer plan delays continue or worsen, they could 
have a negative impact on profitability. Our inability to execute our store growth strategy in a way that generates appropriate returns on investment 
could affect our future growth and profitability. 

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CONSUMER CREDIT 
Our credit card operations drive sales in our stores, allow our stores to avoid third-party transaction fees and generate additional revenues by 
extending credit. Our credit card revenue is subject to changes in interest rates which fluctuate based on market conditions. The market conditions 
influencing interest rates are based on economic factors that are beyond our control and include, but are not limited to, recession, inflation, deflation, 
consumer credit availability, consumer debt levels, tax rates and policy, unemployment trends and other matters that influence consumer confidence 
and spending. Our ability to extend credit to our customers and to collect payments from them depends on many factors including compliance with 
applicable laws and regulations, any of which may change from time to time. Changes in credit card use, payment patterns and default rates have 
resulted from a variety of economic, legal, social and other factors that we cannot control or predict with certainty. Changes that impact our ability  
to extend credit and collect payments have negatively affected our results and may continue in the future. 

AVAILABILITY AND COST OF CREDIT 
U.S. and global credit and equity markets have recently undergone significant disruption, making it difficult for many businesses to obtain financing on 
acceptable terms or at all. As a result of this disruption, we have experienced an increase in the cost of borrowings necessary to operate our business. 
If these conditions continue or become worse, our cost of borrowing could continue to increase. It may also become more difficult to obtain financing 
for our operations or to refinance long-term obligations as they become payable. In addition, our borrowing costs can be affected by independent 
rating agencies’ short and long-term debt ratings which are based largely on our performance as measured by credit metrics including interest 
coverage and leverage ratios. A decrease in these ratings would likely also increase our cost of borrowing and make it more difficult for us to obtain 
financing. A significant increase in the costs we incur in order to finance our operations may have a material adverse impact on our business results 
and financial condition. 

SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION 
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and depend on independent third-parties to manufacture our merchandise. We may experience 
operational difficulties with our vendors, such as the availability of production capacity, errors in meeting merchandise specifications, insufficient 
quality control, failures to meet production deadlines or increases in manufacturing costs. A vendor’s failure to ship merchandise to us on a timely 
basis or to meet the required quality standards could cause supply shortages and could result in lost sales. We depend on the orderly operation of the 
receiving and distribution process, which depends, in turn, on adherence to shipping schedules and effective management of our six distribution 
centers and our Direct fulfillment center. We believe that our receiving and distribution process is efficient. However, unforeseen disruptions in 
operations due to fires, hurricanes or other catastrophic events, labor disagreements or shipping problems, may result in delays in the delivery of 
merchandise to our stores or our customers and could increase our costs. Although we maintain business interruption and property insurance, if any  
of the distribution centers or our fulfillment center is shut down for any reason, our insurance coverage may not be sufficient or we may not receive 
insurance proceeds in a timely manner.  

RELATIONSHIP WITH VENDORS AND DEVELOPERS 
Our relationships with our vendors and developers have been a significant contributor to our past success and our position as a retailer of high-quality 
and fashion merchandise. Some of our vendors and developers have experienced serious cash flow problems due to the credit market crisis. In 
addition, the recent economic deterioration has reduced the availability of funds for vendors and developers. 

We depend on the work of our developer partners to be able to sustain our store growth plan. In the case of developer delays of shopping center 
expansion, renovation or construction projects or developer bankruptcies, our expected store openings or remodels could be further delayed or 
cancelled, and maintenance and leasing at some shopping centers in which we have stores could be adversely affected. 

Many of our key vendors limit the number of retail channels they use to sell their merchandise and competition to obtain and sell these goods is 
intense. Nearly all of the brands of our top vendors are sold by competing retailers, and many of our top vendors also have their own dedicated retail 
stores. If one or more of our top vendors were to increase sales of merchandise through their own stores or to the stores of our competitors, our 
business could be adversely affected. We have no guaranteed supply arrangements with our principal merchandising sources. To counteract cash flow 
problems, our vendors could attempt to increase their prices, pass through increased costs, alter payment terms or seek other relief. Accordingly, 
there can be no assurance that our vendors will continue to meet our quality, style or volume requirements. Our vendors may be forced to reduce their 
operations or file for bankruptcy protection, which in some cases would make it difficult for us to serve the market’s needs and could have a material 
adverse effect on our business. 

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF STORES 
A significant amount of our total sales are derived from stores located on the west and east coasts, particularly California, which increases our 
dependence on local economic conditions within these states. The success of our credit card business is also highly dependent on our customers’ 
ability to pay and our ability to minimize risk when extending credit to cardholders. Deterioration in economic conditions and consumer confidence 
within these states has negatively impacted our business, including a reduction in overall sales, reduced gross margins and increased expenses 
including bad debt expense. These trends could become worse if these factors continue. 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION PLANNING 
The training and development of our future leaders is important to our long-term growth. If we do not effectively implement our strategic and business 
planning processes to train and develop future leaders, our long-term growth may suffer. We rely on the experience of our senior management, who 
have specific knowledge relating to us and our industry that is difficult to replace. If unexpected leadership turnover occurs without adequate 
succession plans, the loss of the services of any of these individuals, or any negative perceptions of our business as a result of those losses, could 
damage our brand image and our business. Our operations could be adversely affected if we cannot attract and retain qualified key personnel. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  7 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EMPLOYMENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
Our policies and procedures are designed to comply with human resource laws, employment laws and discrimination laws set forth by the federal 
government and in each of the states and municipalities where we do business. Human resource laws include regulations related to wage and hour, 
meal and rest period, and commissions. Wage and hour laws are complex, and the related enforcement is increasingly aggressive, particularly in the 
state of California. Employment and discrimination laws continue to evolve, making ongoing compliance in this area a challenge. Failure to comply  
with these laws may result in damage to our reputation, class action lawsuits, legal and settlement costs, disruption of our business, and loss of 
customers and employees, which would result in a loss of sales, increased employment costs, low employee morale, and harm to our business and 
results of operations. 

INFORMATION SECURITY AND PRIVACY 
The protection of our customer, employee and company data is important to us. The regulatory environment surrounding information security and 
privacy is increasingly demanding, with new and constantly changing requirements across our business units. In addition, our customers have a high 
expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. A significant breach of customer, employee or company data could damage our 
reputation and result in lost sales, fines and lawsuits. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY 
We make investments in information technology to sustain our competitive position. For 2009, we expect to spend approximately $155 on information 
technology operations and system development, which is key to our growth. We must monitor and choose the right investments and implement them 
at the right pace. Targeting the wrong opportunities, failing to make the best investments, or making an investment commitment significantly above or 
below our needs may result in the loss of our competitive position. In addition, if we do not maintain our current systems we may see interruptions to 
our business and increase our costs in order to bring our systems up to date. 

We may implement too much technology, or change too fast, which could result in failure to adopt the new technology if we are not ready or capable of 
accepting it. Excessive technological change impacts the effectiveness of adoption, and could make it more difficult for us to realize benefits from the 
technology. However, not implementing new technologies can also compromise our competitive position. If we are unable to strike the appropriate 
balance in the pace of our adoption of new technology, our business may suffer. 

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 
Our policies and procedures are designed to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those imposed by the SEC, NYSE, the banking 
industry and foreign countries. Additional legal and regulatory requirements and the fact that foreign laws occasionally conflict with domestic laws, 
have increased the complexity of the regulatory environment and the cost of compliance. Failure to comply with the various regulations may result in 
damage to our reputation, civil and criminal liability, fines and penalties, increased cost of regulatory compliance and restatements of our  
financial statements. 

MULTI-CHANNEL STRATEGY EXECUTION 
Over the past several years, we have made changes in our Direct business that better align our online shopping environment with the customer experience 
in our full-line stores. These changes included: aligning our Direct merchandise offering with our full-line stores to create a seamless experience for our 
customers between our stores and Web site, linking the full-line stores and Direct merchandise organizations; reducing the number and frequency of our 
Direct catalog mailings; and transitioning our Direct inventory system onto our full-line store platform. Our inability to continue to successfully execute this 
strategy could impact our future operating performance.  

SEASONALITY 
Our business is seasonal in nature. Due to our Anniversary Sale in July and the holidays in December, sales are higher for our Retail Stores and Direct 
segment in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. Accordingly, our results may vary considerably from 
quarter to quarter. In addition, we have significant additional cash requirements in the period leading up to the months of November and December in 
anticipation of higher sales volume in those months, including expenses for additional inventory, advertising and employees. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY 
We purchase a portion of our inventory from foreign suppliers whose cost to us is affected by fluctuations of their local currency against the U.S. dollar 
or who price their merchandise in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We purchase goods from many countries and are affected by changes in 
numerous currencies as well as fluctuations in the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies. Changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign 
currencies may increase our cost of goods sold, and if we are unable to pass these cost increases on to our customers, our gross margins, and 
ultimately our earnings, would decrease. Foreign currency fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and 
results of operations in the future. 

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS 
We are incorporated in the state of Washington and subject to Washington state law. Some provisions of Washington state law could interfere with  
or restrict takeover bids or other change-in-control events affecting us. For example, one provision prohibits us, except under specified circumstances, 
from engaging in any significant business transaction with any shareholder who owns 10% or more of our common stock (an “acquiring person”) for a 
period of five years following the time that the shareholder became an acquiring person. 

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. 

None. 

Item 2. Properties. 

The following table summarizes the number of retail stores owned or leased by us, and the percentage of total store square footage represented  
by each listed category at January 31, 2009: 

Owned stores on owned land 
Owned on leased land 
Leased stores 
Partly owned and partly leased 
Total 

Number of Stores 
33 
56 
79 
1 
169 

% of total store 
square footage 
24.0% 
47.1% 
28.1% 
0.8% 
100.0% 

We also own six merchandise distribution centers, located in Portland, Oregon; Dubuque, Iowa; Ontario, California; Newark, California; Upper Marlboro, 
Maryland; and Gainesville, Florida, which are utilized by the Retail Stores segment. The Direct segment utilizes one fulfillment center in Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa, which is owned on leased land. Our administrative offices in Seattle, Washington are a combination of leased and owned space. We also lease an 
office building in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area that serves as an office of Nordstrom fsb and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  9 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table lists our retail store facilities as of January 31, 2009: 

Location 
Full-Line Stores 

Store Name 

Square 
  Footage 

Year 
  Store 
  Opened 

Location 

Store Name 

Square 
Footage 

Year 
Store 
  Opened 

ALASKA 
Anchorage 

ARIZONA 
Chandler 
Scottsdale 

CALIFORNIA 
Arcadia 
Brea 
Canoga Park 
Cerritos 
Corte Madera 
Costa Mesa 
Escondido 
Glendale 
Irvine 
Los Angeles 
Los Angeles 
Mission Viejo 
Montclair 
Palo Alto 
Pleasanton 
Redondo Beach 
Riverside 
Roseville 
Sacramento 
San Diego 
San Diego 
San Diego 
San Francisco 
San Francisco 
San Jose 
San Mateo 
Santa Ana 
Santa Barbara 
Thousand Oaks 
Walnut Creek 

COLORADO 
Broomfield 
Denver 
Lone Tree 

CONNECTICUT 
Farmington 

Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall 

  97,000 

  1975 

Chandler Fashion Center 
Scottsdale Fashion Square 

  149,000 
  235,000 

  2001 
  1998 

Westfield Santa Anita 
Brea Mall 
Westfield Topanga 
Los Cerritos Center 
The Village at Corte Madera 
South Coast Plaza 
Westfield North County 
Glendale Galleria 
Irvine Spectrum Center 
The Grove 
Westside Pavilion 
The Shops at Mission Viejo 
Montclair Plaza 
Stanford Shopping Center 
Stoneridge Mall 
South Bay Galleria 
Galleria at Tyler 
Westfield Galleria at Roseville 
Arden Fair 
Fashion Valley 
Westfield Horton Plaza 
Westfield University Towne Center 
Westfield San Francisco Centre 
Stonestown Galleria 
Westfield Valley Fair 
Hillsdale Shopping Center 
Westfield MainPlace 
Paseo Nuevo  
Thousand Oaks 
Broadway Plaza 

  151,000 
  195,000 
  213,000 
  122,000 
  116,000 
  235,000 
  156,000 
  147,000 
  130,000 
  120,000 
  150,000 
  172,000 
  134,000 
  187,000 
  173,000 
  161,000 
  164,000 
  149,000 
  190,000 
  220,000 
  149,000 
  130,000 
  350,000 
  174,000 
  232,000 
  149,000 
  169,000 
  186,000 
  145,000 
  193,000 

  1994 
19791 
19841 
  1981 
  1985 
19781 
  1986 
  1983 
  2005 
  2002 
  1985 
  1999 
  1986 
  1984 
  1990 
  1985 
  1991 
  2000 
  1989 
  1981 
  1985 
  1984 
  1988 
  1988 
19871 
  1982 
  1987 
  1990 
  2008 
  1984 

FlatIron Crossing 
Cherry Creek Shopping Center 
Park Meadows 

  172,000 
  142,000 
  245,000 

  2000 
  2007 
  1996 

Westfarms 

  189,000 

  1997 

FLORIDA 
Aventura 
Boca Raton 
Coral Gables 
Miami 
Naples 
Orlando 
Palm Beach Gardens 
Tampa 
Wellington 

Aventura Mall 
Town Center at Boca Raton 
Village of Merrick Park 
Dadeland Mall 
Waterside 
The Florida Mall 
The Gardens 
International Plaza 
The Mall at Wellington Green 

  172,000 
  193,000 
  212,000 
  150,000 
    81,000 
  174,000 
  150,000 
  172,000 
  127,000 

  2008 
  2000 
  2002 
  2004 
  2008 
  2002 
  2006 
  2001 
  2003 

1This store has been subsequently relocated.  

10 

GEORGIA 
Atlanta 
Atlanta 
Buford 

HAWAII 
Honolulu 

ILLINOIS 
Chicago 
Oak Brook 
Schaumburg 
Skokie 

INDIANA 
Indianapolis 
Indianapolis 

KANSAS 
Overland Park 

MARYLAND 
Annapolis 
Bethesda 
Columbia 
Towson 

MASSACHUSETTS 
Burlington 
Natick 

MICHIGAN 
Clinton Township 
Novi 
Troy 

MINNESOTA 
Bloomington 

MISSOURI 
Des Peres 

NEVADA 
Las Vegas 

NEW JERSEY 
Edison 
Freehold 
Paramus 
Short Hills 

NEW YORK 
Garden City 
White Plains 

Perimeter Mall 
Phipps Plaza 
Mall of Georgia 

  243,000 
  140,000 
  172,000 

  1998 
  2005 
  2000 

Ala Moana Center 

  211,000 

  2008 

Michigan Avenue 
Oakbrook Center 
Woodfield Shopping Center 
Westfield Old Orchard Center 

  274,000 
  249,000 
  215,000 
  209,000 

  2000 
  1991 
  1995 
  1994 

Circle Centre 
Fashion Mall  

  216,000 
  134,000 

  1995 
  2008 

Oak Park Mall 

  219,000 

  1998 

Westfield Annapolis Mall 
Westfield Montgomery Mall 
The Mall in Columbia 
Towson Town Center 

  162,000 
  225,000 
  173,000 
  205,000 

  1994 
  1991 
  1999 
  1992 

Burlington Mall 
Natick Collection 

  143,000 
  154,000 

  2008 
  2007 

Partridge Creek 
Twelve Oaks Mall  
Somerset Collection 

  122,000  
  172,000 
  258,000 

  2008 
  2007 
  1996 

Mall of America 

  240,000 

  1992 

West County 

  193,000 

  2002 

Fashion Show 

  207,000 

  2002 

Menlo Park 
Freehold Raceway Mall 
Westfield Garden State Plaza 
The Mall at Short Hills 

  204,000 
  174,000 
  282,000 
  188,000 

  1991 
  1992 
  1990 
  1995 

Roosevelt Field 
The Westchester 

  241,000 
  219,000 

  1997 
  1995 

NORTH CAROLINA 
Charlotte 
Durham 

SouthPark 
The Streets at Southpoint 

  151,000 
  149,000 

  2004 
  2002 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Location 
Full-Line Stores (continued) 

Store Name 

Square 
  Footage 

Year 
  Store 
  Opened 

Location 
Nordstrom Rack Group (continued) 

Store Name 

OHIO 
Beachwood 
Columbus 

OREGON 
Portland 
Portland 
Portland 
Salem 
Tigard 

PENNSYLVANIA 
King of Prussia 
Pittsburgh 

RHODE ISLAND 
Providence 

TEXAS 
Austin 
Dallas 
Dallas 
Frisco 
Houston 
Hurst 
San Antonio 

UTAH 
Murray 
Orem 

VIRGINIA 
Arlington 

Dulles 
McLean 
Norfolk 
Richmond 

WASHINGTON 
Bellevue 
Lynnwood 
Seattle 
Seattle 
Spokane 
Tacoma 
Tukwila 
Vancouver 

Other 

Beachwood Place 
Easton Town Center 

  231,000 
  174,000 

  1997 
  2001 

Clackamas Town Center 
Downtown Portland 
Lloyd Center 
Salem Center 
Washington Square 

  121,000 
  174,000 
  150,000 
  71,000 
  189,000 

  1981 
19661 
19631 
  1980 
19741 

King of Prussia 
Ross Park 

  238,000 
  143,000 

  1996 
  2008 

Providence Place 

  206,000 

  1999 

Barton Creek Square 
Galleria Dallas 
NorthPark Center 
Stonebriar Centre 
Houston Galleria 
North East Mall 
The Shops at La Cantera 

  150,000 
  249,000 
  212,000 
  149,000 
  226,000 
  149,000 
  149,000 

  2003 
  1996 
  2005 
  2000 
  2003 
  2001 
  2005 

Fashion Place 
University Mall 

  110,000 
  122,000 

  1981 
  2002 

The Fashion Centre at  
Pentagon City 
Dulles Town Center 
Tysons Corner Center 
MacArthur Center 
Short Pump Town Center 

Bellevue Square 
Alderwood 
Downtown Seattle 
Northgate Mall 
River Park Square 
Tacoma Mall 
Westfield Southcenter 
Westfield Vancouver 

  241,000 

  1989 

  148,000 
  211,000 
  166,000 
  128,000 

  2002 
  1988 
  1999 
  2003 

  285,000 
  151,000 
  383,000 
  122,000 
  137,000 
  144,000 
  170,000 
  71,000 

19671 
19791 
19631 
  1965 
19741 
19661 
  1968 
  1977 

  12,000 
  11,000 

  2007 
  2007 

Atlanta, GA 
New York, NY 

Jeffrey 
Jeffrey 

Nordstrom Rack Group 

Chandler, AZ 
Phoenix, AZ 
Scottsdale, AZ 

Chandler Festival Rack 
Last Chance 
Scottsdale Promenade Rack 

  37,000 
  48,000 
  38,000 

  2000 
19921 
  2000 

1This store has been subsequently relocated.  

Brea, CA 
Chino, CA 
Colma, CA 
Costa Mesa, CA 
Fresno, CA 
Glendale, CA 
Laguna Hills, CA 
Long Beach, CA 
Los Angeles, CA 

Ontario, CA 
Oxnard, CA 
Roseville, CA 
Sacramento, CA 
San Diego, CA 
San Francisco, CA 
San Jose, CA 
San Leandro, CA 
San Marcos, CA 
Woodland Hills, CA 
Broomfield, CO 
Lone Tree, CO 
Miami, FL 
Sunrise, FL 
Buford, GA 
Honolulu, HI 
Chicago, IL 

Naperville, IL 
Northbrook, IL 
Oak Brook, IL 
Schaumburg, IL 
Danvers, MA 
Gaithersburg, MD 
Towson, MD 
Grand Rapids, MI 
Troy, MI 
Bloomington, MN 
Las Vegas, NV 
Westbury, NY 
White Plains, NY 
Lyndhurst, OH 
Beaverton, OR 
Clackamas, OR 
Portland, OR 
King of Prussia, PA 

Plano, TX 
San Antonio, TX 
Salt Lake City, UT 
Sterling, VA 
Woodbridge, VA 
Auburn, WA 

Bellevue, WA 
Lynnwood, WA 
Seattle, WA 
Spokane, WA  
Tukwila, WA  

Brea Union Plaza Rack 
Chino Spectrum Towne Center Rack 
Colma Rack 
Metro Pointe at South Coast Rack 
Villaggio Retail Center Rack 
Glendale Fashion Center Rack 
Laguna Hills Mall Rack 
Long Beach CityPlace Rack 
The Promenade at Howard Hughes  
Center Rack  
Ontario Mills Mall Rack 
Esplanade Shopping Center Rack 
Creekside Town Center Rack 
Howe `Bout Arden Center Rack 
Westfield Mission Valley Rack 
555 Ninth Street Retail Center Rack 
Westgate Mall Rack 
San Leandro Rack 
Grand Plaza Rack 
Topanga Rack 
Flatiron Marketplace Rack 
Meadows Marketplace Rack 
Last Chance 
The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills Rack 
Mall of Georgia Crossing Rack 
Ward Centers Rack 
The Shops at State and  
Washington Rack 
Springbrook Prairie Pavilion Rack 
Northbrook Rack 
The Shops at Oak Brook Place Rack 
Woodfield Rack 
Liberty Tree Mall Rack 
Gaithersburg Rack 
Towson Rack 
Centerpointe Mall Rack 
Troy Marketplace Rack 
Mall of America Rack 
Silverado Ranch Plaza Rack 
The Mall at the Source Rack 
City Center Rack 
Legacy Village Rack 
Tanasbourne Town Center Rack 
Clackamas Promenade Rack 
Downtown Portland Rack 
The Overlook at King of 
Prussia Rack  
Preston Shepard Place Rack 
The Rim Rack 
Sugarhouse Rack 
Dulles Town Crossing Rack 
Potomac Mills Rack 
SuperMall of the Great  
Northwest Rack  
Factoria Mall Rack  
Golde Creek Plaza Rack  
Downtown Seattle Rack  
NorthTown Mall Rack  
Southcenter Square Rack  

Square 
Footage 

Year 
Store 
  Opened 

45,000 
38,000 
31,000 
50,000 
32,000 
36,000 
35,000 
33,000 
41,000 

40,000 
38,000 
36,000 
54,000 
57,000 
43,000 
48,000 
44,000 
35,000 
64,000 
36,000 
34,000 
26,000 
27,000 
44,000 
34,000 
41,000 

37,000 
40,000 
42,000 
45,000 
43,000 
49,000 
31,000 
40,000 
40,000 
41,000 
33,000 
48,000 
36,000 
40,000 
53,000 
28,000 
32,000 
45,000 

39,000 
35,000 
31,000 
41,000 
46,000 
48,000 

46,000 
38,000 
42,000 
28,000 
35,000 

  1999 
19871 
  1987 
     19831 
  2002 
  2000 
2008 
  2002 
  2001 

  2002 
  2001 
  2001 
  1999 
19851 
  2001 
  1998 
  1990 
  2006 
  1984 
  2001 
  1998 
  2005 
  2003 
  2000 
  2000 
  2003 

  2008 
  1996 
  2000 
  1994 
  2008 
  1999 
  1992 
  2001 
  2000 
  1998 
  2001 
  1997 
  2008 
  2008 
  1998 
19831 
19861 
2002 

2000 
2008 
1991 
2001 
1990 
1995 

  1997 
19851 
  1987 
  2000 
2007 

To date in 2009, we have relocated one full-line store and opened two new Rack stores. During the remainder of 2009, we are scheduled to open three 
full-line stores and eight additional Rack stores. In 2010, we are scheduled to open three new full-line stores and four Rack stores. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  11 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings. 

We are involved in routine claims, proceedings and litigation arising from the normal course of our business. We do not believe any such claim, 
proceeding or litigation, either alone or in aggregate, will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. 

None. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II 
PART II 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of  
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of  
Equity Securities.  
Equity Securities.  

MARKET, SHAREHOLDER AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION 
MARKET, SHAREHOLDER AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION 
Our common stock, without par value, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JWN.” The approximate number of holders  
Our common stock, without par value, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JWN.” The approximate number of holders  
of common stock as of March 11, 2009 was 103,543, based upon the number of registered and beneficial shareholders, as well as the number of 
of common stock as of March 11, 2009 was 103,543, based upon the number of registered and beneficial shareholders, as well as the number of 
employee shareholders in the Nordstrom 401(k) Plan and Profit Sharing Plan. On this date we had 215,485,680 shares of common stock outstanding. 
employee shareholders in the Nordstrom 401(k) Plan and Profit Sharing Plan. On this date we had 215,485,680 shares of common stock outstanding. 

The high and low sales prices of our common stock and dividends declared for each quarter of 2008 and 2007 are presented in the table below: 
The high and low sales prices of our common stock and dividends declared for each quarter of 2008 and 2007 are presented in the table below: 

Common Stock Price 
Common Stock Price 

2008 
2008 

2007 
2007 

High 
High 
   $40.59 
   $40.59 
   $38.65 
   $38.65 
   $37.00 
   $37.00 
   $18.17 
   $18.17 
   $40.59 
   $40.59 

Low 
Low 
$30.72 
$30.72 
$25.67 
$25.67 
$13.66 
$13.66 
  $6.61 
  $6.61 
  $6.61 
  $6.61 

High 
High 
   $59.70 
   $59.70 
   $56.00 
   $56.00 
   $53.47 
   $53.47 
   $39.95 
   $39.95 
   $59.70 
   $59.70 

Low 
Low 
$49.35 
$49.35 
$42.70 
$42.70 
$36.12 
$36.12 
$28.00 
$28.00 
$28.00 
$28.00 

1st Quarter 
1st Quarter 
2nd Quarter 
2nd Quarter 
3rd Quarter 
3rd Quarter 
4th Quarter 
4th Quarter 
Full Year 
Full Year 

       2007 
       2007 

  Dividends per Share 
  Dividends per Share 
2008 
2008 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.16 
 $0.64 
 $0.64 

 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.135 
 $0.54 
 $0.54 

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE 
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE 
The following graph compares, for each of the last five fiscal years ending January 31, 2009, the cumulative total return of Nordstrom, Inc. common 
The following graph compares, for each of the last five fiscal years ending January 31, 2009, the cumulative total return of Nordstrom, Inc. common 
stock, Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Standard & Poor’s Retail Index. The Retail Index is comprised of 27 retail companies, including Nordstrom, Inc., 
stock, Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Standard & Poor’s Retail Index. The Retail Index is comprised of 27 retail companies, including Nordstrom, Inc., 
representing an industry group of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The cumulative total return of Nordstrom, Inc. common stock assumes $100 
representing an industry group of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The cumulative total return of Nordstrom, Inc. common stock assumes $100 
invested on January 31, 2004 in Nordstrom, Inc. common stock and assumes reinvestment of dividends. 
invested on January 31, 2004 in Nordstrom, Inc. common stock and assumes reinvestment of dividends. 

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

Nordstrom, Inc. Common Stock

Standard & Poor's Retail Index

Standard & Poor's 500 Index

300

200

100

Dollars

0

1/31/04

1/29/05

1/28/06

2/3/07

2/2/08

1/31/09

Year Ended

End of fiscal year: 
End of fiscal year: 
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index 
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index 
Standard & Poor’s Retail Index 
Standard & Poor’s Retail Index 
Nordstrom, Inc. common stock 
Nordstrom, Inc. common stock 

2003 
2003 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

2004 
2004 
104 
104 
114 
114 
122 
122 

2005 
2005 
113 
113 
123 
123 
219 
219 

2006 
2006 
128 
128 
140 
140 
296 
296 

2007 
2007 
123 
123 
113 
113 
209 
209 

2008 
2008 
73 
73 
69 
69 
72 
72 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  13 
Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  13 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. 
(Dollars in millions except sales per square foot and per share amounts) 

The following selected financial data are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with Item 1A 
“Risk Factors,” Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

Fiscal year 
Operations 
Net sales 
Same-store sales percentage (decrease) increase1 
Credit card revenues2 
Gross profit3 
Gross profit rate4 
Selling, general and administrative expenses:2 
    Retail stores, direct and other segments2 
    Retail stores, direct and other segments rate4 
    Credit segment2 

   Total selling, general and administrative rate4 

Other income and expense, net2 
Earnings before interest and income taxes (“EBIT”) 
EBIT as a percentage of total revenues 
Interest expense, net 
Earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) 
EBT as a percentage of total revenues 
Net earnings 
Net earnings as a percentage of total revenues 
Earnings per diluted share 
Dividends per share 
Return on average shareholders’ equity 
Sales per square foot5 

Financial Position (at year end) 

Customer accounts receivable, net 
Investment in asset backed securities 
Merchandise inventories 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Land, buildings and equipment, net 
Long-term debt, including current portion 
Shareholders’ equity 
Book value per share 
Total assets 

Store Information (at year end) 

Full-line stores 
Rack and other stores 
International Façonnable boutiques 
Total square footage  

2008 

20076 

2006 

2005 

2004 

 $8,272 
(9.0%) 
301 
2,855 
34.5% 

  $8,828 
3.9% 
252 
3,302 
37.4% 

  $8,561 
7.5% 
105 
3,207 
37.5% 

      (2,111) 
25.5% 
(275) 
28.8% 
9 
779 
9.1% 
      (131) 
648 
7.6% 
401 
4.7% 
$1.83 
$0.64 
34.5% 
$388 

    (2,183) 
  24.7% 
(177) 
  26.7% 
19 
1,247 
13.7% 
                  (74) 
1,173 
12.9% 
715 
7.9% 
  $2.88 
  $0.54 
  43.6% 
$435 

 $1,881 
- 
900 
3,217 
1,601 
2,221 
2,238 
1,210 
5.62 
5,661 

  $1,705 
- 
956 
3,361 
1,635 
1,983 
2,497 
1,115 
5.05 
5,600 

(2,205) 
25.8% 
(92) 
26.8% 
134 
1,149 
13.3% 
(43) 
1,106 
12.8% 
678 
7.8% 
$2.55 
$0.42 
31.8% 
$423 

$609 
428 
997 
2,742 
1,433 
1,757 
631 
2,169 
8.43 
4,822 

$7,723 
  6.0% 
97 
2,835 
36.7% 

(2,016) 
26.1% 
(85) 
27.2% 
99 
930 
11.9% 
(45) 
885 
11.3% 
551 
7.1% 
   $1.98 
   $0.32 
28.4% 
    $392 

    $567 
561 
956 
2,874 
1,623 
1,774 
934 
2,093 
7.76 
4,921 

$7,131 
8.5% 
102 
2,572 
36.1% 

(1,934) 
27.1% 
(86) 
28.3% 
71 
725 
10.0% 
(78) 
647 
8.9% 
393 
5.4% 
  $1.38 
   $0.24 
23.0% 
   $369 

   $580 
422 
917 
2,572 
1,341 
1,780 
1,030 
1,789 
6.59 
4,605 

109 
60 
- 
  21,876,000  

101 
55 
- 
 20,502,000  

98 
57 
36 
  20,170,000 

98 
57 
32 
  20,070,000 

94 
56 
31 
 19,397,000 

1Same-stores include stores that have been open at least one full year at the beginning of the year and merchandise sales from our Direct segment. Fiscal year 2006 includes an extra week 
  (the 53rd week) as a result of our 4-5-4 retail reporting calendar. The 53rd week is not included in same-store sales calculations.  
2As described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, we have reclassified credit card revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit 
  segment in our consolidated statements of earnings to more clearly present our credit card business. Credit card revenues include finance charges, late and other fees generated by our 
  combined Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom  VISA credit card programs, and interchange fees generated by the use of Nordstrom VISA cards at third-party merchants. These 
  revenues were previously included in finance charges and other, net in our consolidated statement of earnings. Selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit segment consist 
  of operational and marketing costs incurred to support and service our credit card programs and bad debt expense, and were previously included in total selling, general and 
  administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. 
3Gross profit is calculated as net sales less cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs (for all segments). 
4Gross profit and selling, general and administrative rates are calculated as a percentage of net sales. 
5Sales per square foot is calculated as net sales for all of our segments divided by weighted average square footage. 
6During the third quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of our Façonnable business and realized a gain on sale of $34 ($21, net of tax). Results of operations for fiscal year 2007 include the       
  international Façonnable boutiques through August 31, 2007 and the domestic Façonnable boutiques through October 31, 2007. Prior to the sale, the domestic Façonnable boutiques were  
  included in “Rack and other stores.”  

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 
(Dollar, share and square footage amounts in millions except percentages, per share and per square foot amounts) 

Nordstrom is a fashion specialty retailer offering high-quality apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories for women, men and children. We offer a wide 
selection of brand name and private label merchandise. We offer our products through multiple channels including full-line ‘Nordstrom’ stores, off-price 
‘Nordstrom Rack’ stores, ‘Jeffrey’ boutiques, catalogs and on the Internet at www.nordstrom.com. Our stores are located throughout the United States. 
In addition, we offer our customers a variety of payment products and services including our loyalty program. 

As a multi-channel retailer, we believe we are well positioned to respond to evolving customer needs and expectations. Our goal is to offer 
knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming service in our stores, online, and through our credit business with an integrated offering and consistent 
experience. Our salespeople are focused on building deeper relationships with our customers through their product knowledge and ability to offer 
solutions which save the customer’s time. We continue to strive to serve our customers better, using resources such as Personal Book, Fashion 
Rewards and the ability for our salespeople to seamlessly find inventory anywhere in the company. In 2008, we launched the “Buy Online, Pick Up in 
Store” service, which allows customers to purchase online, then pick up their item at a Nordstrom store on the same day. We want to create value for 
our customers through our seamless and unique shopping experience.  

We’ve found that there’s a great deal of opportunity to grow our sales in existing stores simply by earning a greater share of our customers’ business 
across multiple product categories. We use customer research to better serve our customers’ needs and wants, whether it is a new wardrobe of great 
foundation pieces or an updated item to enhance their current attire. Our customer still wants newness, fashion, quality and brands. Our goal is to 
provide all of these items, with a best-in-market selection of versatile and compelling fashion brands. Over the course of 2008, it became clear that 
value and price sensitivity are important factors to our customers. With a broad merchandise offering, we can adjust our mix without changing who we 
are or how we are positioned in the market. Our merchants are working hard with our vendors to provide the right balance of quality, value and price 
points to our customers. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

2008 Overview 
The business environment during 2008 was both challenging and volatile. The first half of the year was relatively stable with quarterly same-store sales 
decreasing between 6.0% and 6.5%. The second half of 2008 was more volatile as consumers reduced their discretionary spending due to economic 
concerns and uncertainty, and retailers struggled to align their businesses with significantly lower levels of demand. As a result, our quarterly same-
store sales in the second half of 2008 declined between 11.1% and 12.5% and our gross profit was negatively impacted. In response, we needed to make 
tough choices in the near term while remaining true to our long-term strategy. Even in a challenging and uncertain economy, our strategy remains 
unchanged in its focus on customers and building strong relationships with them. We strive to provide superior service and compelling merchandise 
within existing product categories in an effort to grow our share of business with core customers. While the conditions in 2008 required that we 
significantly reduce expenses, inventory and planned capital expenditures, we believe we have done so while preserving our standards of service, 
product and shopping experience. 

Our variable cost business model provides flexibility that helps mitigate the impact of slower sales trends on profit margins and cash flows. While we 
believe our model adjusts well to changing market trends, we took additional actions on expenses, working capital and planned capital expenditures to 
further mitigate operating margin pressure, improve operating cash flow and maintain a healthy balance sheet. We ended the fiscal year with inventory 
levels aligned with current sales trends. We followed a disciplined approach to finding and executing expense reduction opportunities and will continue 
these efforts through 2009. Given the current economic conditions, our capital expenditures in 2009 will be significantly reduced compared to our plan 
last year. These changes include reducing the number of major full-line store remodels from approximately six per year to approximately two per year. 
Additionally, the economic environment has affected our real estate development partners, who have delayed or canceled several of our planned new 
full-line stores. We are continuously monitoring our capital expenditure plans as economic conditions change. Although we have reduced our planned 
capital expenditures overall, we did not reduce our maintenance expenditures budget, as it is important that we maintain the look, feel and experience 
of shopping in our stores. Overall, we believe we are well positioned to weather the economic downturn, while maintaining an unwavering focus on our 
customers and positioning the company for the future.  

Full year earnings before income taxes (“EBT”) decreased $525 from $1,173 in 2007 to $648 in 2008. The Retail Stores, Direct and Other segments 
produced $491 of this decrease due to lower sales and increased markdowns, partially offset by decreased variable costs and savings in fixed expenses. 
Our Credit segment contributed $34 of the decline in EBT, as our credit card yields were negatively impacted by higher bad debt expense and lower 
interest rates. 

As described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, we have reclassified credit card revenues and expenses in our 
consolidated statements of earnings to more clearly present our credit card business. Credit card revenues include finance charges, late and other fees 
generated by our combined Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom VISA credit card programs, and interchange fees generated by the use of 
Nordstrom VISA cards at third-party merchants. These revenues were previously included in finance charges and other, net in our consolidated 
statement of earnings. Selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit segment consist of operational and marketing costs incurred to 
support and service our credit card programs and bad debt expense, and were previously included in total selling, general and administrative expenses 
in our consolidated statements of earnings. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  15 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Stores, Direct and Other Segments 

Summary 

Fiscal year 
Net sales 
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs 
Gross profit1 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 

% of net sales: 
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 

2008 
  $8,272 
   (5,367) 
    2,905 
   (2,111) 

64.9% 
35.1% 
25.5% 

2007 
   $8,828 
    (5,479) 
     3,349 
    (2,183) 

2006 
      $8,561 
    (5,316) 
         3,245 
(2,205) 

62.1% 
37.9% 
24.7% 

62.1% 
37.9% 
25.8% 

1Gross profit is calculated as net sales less Retail Stores, Direct and Other segment cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs. 

Net Sales  

Fiscal year 
Net sales 
Net sales (decrease) increase 
Same-store sales (decrease) increase 
Sales (decrease) increase by channel: 
  Full-line same-store sales 
  Rack same-store sales 
  Net sales – Direct 
Percentage of net sales by merchandise category: 
  Women’s apparel 
  Shoes 
  Men’s apparel 
  Women’s accessories 
  Cosmetics 
  Children’s apparel 
  Other 
Total 

2008 
  $8,272 
(6.3%) 
(9.0%) 

2007 
   $8,828 
3.1% 
3.9% 

        (12.4%) 
3.1% 
8.4% 

34% 
21% 
16% 
12% 
11% 
3% 
3% 
100% 

2.5% 
8.7% 
17.9% 

35% 
20% 
18% 
11% 
11% 
3% 
2% 
100% 

2006 
$8,561 
10.8% 
7.5% 

5.9% 
10.9% 
24.7% 

35% 
20% 
18% 
10% 
11% 
3% 
3% 
100% 

2008 VS 2007 NET SALES 
Net sales declined 6.3% in 2008 compared to 2007. The decrease was due to same-store sales declines in our full-line stores, partially offset by 
increases in same-store sales for Rack and Direct, as well as new store openings. 

Same-store sales for our full-line stores decreased 12.4% compared to the same period last year. The largest same-store sales decreases came in 
women’s apparel and men’s apparel. Women’s apparel continues to experience a market-wide downturn and we have seen a decline in men’s apparel 
correspond to the economic downturn, particularly during the fourth quarter. Regionally, business trends were most challenging in markets undergoing 
the largest housing price corrections. California was the most challenging region throughout 2008, with same-store sales below the full-line store 
average. All other regions were above the same-store sales average for full-line stores. 

Our Rack channel had its seventh consecutive year of positive sales growth with a same-store sales increase of 3.1% for the year. Rack purchases 
merchandise from third parties and also serves as a clearance channel for our full-line stores. The accessories and men’s apparel categories drove this 
growth. Designer handbags led accessories and premium denim led men’s apparel. All regions contributed to the positive same-store sales results. 

Our Direct channel net sales increased 8.4% for the year, with results driven by accessories, women’s apparel and kids’ merchandise categories.  
The growth in our Direct business was driven by our efforts to better align our merchandise offering and experience with our full-line stores. Our new 
“Buy Online, Pick Up in Store” service proved to be a convenient and valued service for our customers over the holiday gift-giving season. 

During 2008 we opened eight new full-line and six new Rack stores. These new stores represent 3.3% of our total net sales for fiscal 2008, and 
increased our gross square footage by 6.7% during 2008. 

2007 VS 2006 NET SALES 
Total net sales increased 3.1% as a result of same-store sales increases as well as from the three full-line stores and one Rack store opened during 
fiscal 2007. The 2006 fiscal calendar had 53 weeks compared to our normal operating calendar of 52 weeks. In the 53rd week of 2006, we had sales  
of $118. Excluding the extra week of sales in fiscal 2006, total sales increased 4.6% in fiscal year 2007. The 53rd week is not included in same-store  
sales calculations. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our full-line stores had a 2.5% same-store sales increase in 2007, on top of a 5.9% increase in 2006. The Midwest, South and Northwest were our 
strongest performing regions during 2007. By category, our largest same-store sales increases came from our designer apparel, women’s accessories 
and men’s apparel categories. Designer apparel offers fashion-forward and aspirational products, and customer demand for these products was strong. 
Women’s accessories benefited from increased sales of handbags and fashion jewelry. The increase in men’s apparel was in part due to growth in our 
younger contemporary offering.  

Our Rack same-store sales increased 8.7% in 2007, following a 10.9% increase in 2006. The sales growth came from all regions and merchandise 
categories. Same-store sales were consistent across all regions, which showed high single-digit increases. The largest same-store sales increases were 
in accessories and men’s apparel. High performance bodywear, watches and sunglasses led the accessories category. The men’s increase reflects sales 
from premium denim, suits and dress shirts.  

Nordstrom Direct’s 2007 total net sales increased 17.9% to $644. The growth in our Direct business was driven by our efforts to better align our online 
shopping environment with the customer experience in our full-line stores. This includes aligning our merchandise offering with the full-line stores to 
create a seamless experience for customers.  

During 2007 we opened three new full-line stores and one new Rack store. These new stores represent 1.0% of our total net sales for fiscal 2007, and 
increased our gross square footage by 2.6% during 2007. 

2009 FORECAST OF SAME-STORE SALES 
As of March 20, 2009, we have relocated one full-line store and opened two new Rack stores. In total, we plan to open three new full-line stores and eight 
additional Rack stores during the year. This will increase retail square footage by approximately 3.7%. We expect 2009 same-store sales to decrease 
approximately 10% to 15%. Based on the pace of business in 2008, same-store sales in the first half of 2009 are expected to be 300 to 400 basis points 
lower than the projected annual rate. 

Gross Profit  

Fiscal year 
Gross profit1 
Gross profit rate2 
Average inventory per square foot 
Inventory turnover rate3 

2008 
$2,905 
35.1% 
$49.00 
5.20 

2007 
  $3,349 
37.9% 
  $52.70 
5.16 

2006 
  $3,245 
37.9%  
  $52.37 
5.06 

1Gross profit is calculated as net sales less Retail Stores, Direct and Other segment cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs. 
2Gross profit rate is calculated as gross profit divided by net sales. 
3Inventory turnover rate is calculated as annual cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs (for all segments) divided by 5-quarter average inventory. 

2008 VS 2007 GROSS PROFIT 
Gross profit dollars decreased $444 from last year while our gross profit rate declined 280 basis points. Our gross profit rate is made up of both 
merchandise margin rates and buying and occupancy cost rate. The deterioration for the year was driven primarily by a decrease in our merchandise 
margin rate as we utilized markdowns to respond to slower sales and a more competitive environment. All major merchandise categories at our full-
line stores contributed to this decrease. Our buying and occupancy costs as a percentage of sales increased 76 basis points as many of these costs are 
fixed relative to the sales decline.  

Our average inventory turnover improved slightly over last year while our average inventory per square foot decreased 7.0% compared to the prior 
year. Our merchants’ efforts to align inventory levels to lower demand resulted in the improvement in our inventory turnover rate and our lower 
inventory per square foot. Our objective is to match the change in inventory per square foot, which declined 7.0% on average, with our same-store 
sales rate, which declined 9.0% for the year. 

2007 VS 2006 GROSS PROFIT 
Our gross profit rate in 2007 was consistent with 2006. During 2007 we experienced increasing inventory levels coupled with slower sales trends.  
To realign our inventory levels, we took higher markdowns during the last half of the year. The increase in markdowns was offset by a decrease in our 
buying and occupancy costs, which declined due to lower performance-based incentives and from the sale of our Façonnable business in 2007. 

The increase in our average inventory per square foot in 2007 compared with 2006 supported the growth of our designer business in apparel, 
accessories and shoes. Although we encountered softer sales trends during the latter half of 2007, inventory discipline and growth in sales throughout 
the year resulted in improvement in our inventory turnover rate, which increased 1.9%. 

2009 FORECAST OF GROSS PROFIT 
In 2009, we expect a 150 to 250 basis point decrease in our gross profit rate. Although we begin 2009 with a good inventory position, we expect continued 
gross margin pressure as a result of competitive pressure and lower levels of customer demand. We will also incur additional occupancy expense for the 
three new full-line stores and ten new Rack stores in 2009. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  17 

  
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses  

Fiscal year 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Selling, general and administrative rate1 

2008 
$2,111 
25.5% 

2007 
$2,183 
24.7% 

2006 
$2,205 
25.8% 

1Selling, general and administrative rate is calculated as selling, general and administrative expenses for our Retail Stores, Direct and Other segments as a percentage of net sales. 

2008 VS 2007 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
Our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $72 due to lower variable expenses as well as costs savings resulting from our focus on 
controlling fixed expenses, partially offset by the additional expenses related to our new stores. During 2008, we opened eight new full-line stores and 
six new Rack stores, which contributed $72 of additional expenses. 

Our selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 79 basis points. The increase as a percentage of net sales was 
due to the fixed nature of many of our selling, general and administrative expenses and the impact of declining sales. 

2007 VS 2006 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
Selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively flat in 2007 compared with 2006. The decrease in selling, general and administrative 
expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to decreases in our incentive costs tied to company performance. 

2009 FORECAST OF SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
In 2009, our selling, general and administrative dollars are expected to decrease $85 to $175, dependent on our sales performance in 2009. We 
anticipate our variable expense model to continue to adjust to sales trends. Additionally, continuing to manage headcount to our business, as well as 
targeted reductions in merit-based salary awards, discretionary spending and marketing and technology will reduce our fixed expenses. We expect $42 
of additional selling, general and administrative expenses from new stores, which will partially offset the reduction in fixed and variable expenses. 

We expect our selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales to be slightly higher in 2009 compared with 2008, due to the 
fixed nature of many of these expenses in relation to our expected decline in net sales. 

Gain on Sale of Façonnable  
During the third quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of the Façonnable business in exchange for cash of $216, net of transaction costs, and realized 
a gain on sale of $34. The impact to reported earnings per diluted share for the year was $0.09, net of tax of $13. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Segment 

The Nordstrom Credit card products are designed to grow retail sales and customer relationships by providing superior payment products, services and 
loyalty benefits. We believe that owning our credit card business allows us to fully integrate our rewards program with our retail stores and provide 
superior service and experience to our customers, thus deepening our relationship with customers and driving higher levels of long-term customer 
loyalty. Each card enables participation in the Nordstrom Fashion Rewards® program, through which the customer accumulates points based on their 
level of spending (two points per dollar spent at Nordstrom and one point per dollar spent outside of Nordstrom stores). Upon reaching two thousand 
points, customers receive twenty dollars in Nordstrom Notes®, which can be redeemed for goods or services in our stores. As customers increase their 
level of spending they receive additional benefits, including rewards such as complimentary shipping and alterations in our retail stores. We believe the 
Fashion Rewards program, including these additional rewards, drives sales in our Retail Stores and Direct segments. 

The table below illustrates a detailed view of the operational results of our Credit segment, consistent with the segment disclosure provided in the 
notes to the consolidated financial statements. In order to view the total economic contribution of our credit card program, the following items are 
also included in the table below: 

• 

• 

During 2007, we combined our Nordstrom private label credit card and Nordstrom VISA credit card programs into one securitization 
program. At this time the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables were brought on-balance sheet. While the underlying economics of the 
business did not change (Nordstrom has always owned 100% of its Credit segment), the accounting for this business segment did change. 
For comparability between years, ooff -balanc e sheet  income (e xpense), net (credit card revenues, net of bad debt and interest 
expense) is shown to mitigate the impact of the change in accounting. 

Intercompan y m erchant fees  represents the estimated intercompany income of our credit business from the usage of our cards in 
the Retail Stores and Direct segments. To encourage the use of Nordstrom cards in our stores, the Credit segment does not charge the 
Retail Stores and Direct segments an interchange merchant fee. On a consolidated basis, we avoid these costs which would be incurred if 
our customers used third-party cards. 

Fiscal year 

Finance charge revenue 
Late fees and other revenue 
Interchange 

Total credit card revenues 

Interest expense 
Net credit card income 

Cost of sales — loyalty program 
Selling, general and administrative expenses1 

Total expense 

Other income and expense, net1 

Credit card (charge) contribution to earnings before income tax 
  expense, as presented in segment disclosure 

Off-balance sheet income (expense), net2 
Intercompany merchant fees 

Total credit card (charge) contribution 
Average accounts receivable investment (assuming 80% of accounts 

receivable is funded with debt) 

Credit card (charge) contribution, net of tax, as a percentage of average 
  accounts receivable investment 

2008 
  $215 
18 
69 
 302 
  (50) 
252 
 (50) 
  (275) 
(325) 
     1 

2007 
$194 
12 
47 
253 
(64) 
189 
(47) 
(198) 
(245) 
18 

2006 
$96 
9 
- 
105 
  (37) 
68 
(38) 
(92) 
(130) 
109 

(72) 
     - 
48 
$(24) 

(38) 
                 9 
48 
  $19 

47 
                 (6) 
  43 
$84 

$382 

$332 

$283 

(3.9%) 

3.5% 

18.1% 

1In 2007, the one-time transitional charge-offs on the Nordstrom VISA receivables of $21 are included in other income and expense, net on our consolidated statement of earnings.     
 In the above disclosure this amount is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. These charge-offs represent actual write-offs on the Nordstrom VISA credit card 
 portfolio during the eight-month transitional period. 
2Includes off-balance sheet finance charges and other income of $22 in 2007 and $37 in 2006, off-balance sheet interest expense of $6 in 2007 and $21 in 2006, and off-balance sheet bad  
 debt expense of $7 in 2007 and $22 in 2006. 

CREDIT CARD REVENUES 
Credit card revenues include finance charges, late and other fees, and interchange fees. The majority of our credit accounts have finance charge rates 
that vary with changes in the prime rate. Interchange fees are earned from the use of Nordstrom VISA cards at merchants outside of Nordstrom. 

Credit card revenues increased from $253 in 2007 to $302 in 2008 in part due to the Nordstrom VISA portfolio being on-balance sheet for a full year in 
fiscal 2008 compared to only three quarters in fiscal 2007, as well as overall portfolio growth. During the first three quarters of fiscal 2008, the positive 
impact we saw on finance charge revenue as a result of portfolio growth was partially offset by a significant reduction in the average prime rate as 
most of our Nordstrom private label and VISA cards have annual percentage rate terms that are tied to the prime rate. However, during the fourth 
quarter of 2008, finance charge revenues improved slightly due to a change in our credit card pricing terms effective November 15, 2008. 

The increase in credit card revenues from $105 in 2006 to $253 in 2007 is due to bringing the Nordstrom VISA portfolio on-balance sheet as of May 1, 
2007, as well as portfolio growth year over year. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  19 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE 
Interest is assigned to the Credit segment proportionate to the amount of debt estimated to fund our credit card receivables, which assumes a mix of 
80% debt and 20% equity. The average accounts receivable investment metric included in the table on the previous page represents our best estimate 
of the amount of capital for our credit card program that is financed by equity. As a means of assigning comparable cost of capital for our credit card 
business, we believe it is important to maintain a capital structure similar to other financial institutions. Based on our research, we have found that 
debt as a percentage of credit card receivables for other credit card companies ranges from 70% to 90%. We believe that debt equal to 80% of our 
credit card receivables is appropriate given our overall capital structure goals. 

Interest expense decreased to $50 in 2008 from $64 in 2007 due to declining variable interest rates, partially offset by higher average borrowings. 
Interest expense increased in 2007 compared to 2006 due to higher variable interest rates and higher average borrowings due to bringing the 
Nordstrom VISA portfolio on-balance sheet as well as year over year portfolio growth. 

COST OF SALES 
Cost of sales includes the estimated cost of Nordstrom Notes that will be issued and redeemed under the rewards program. The increase in cost of 
sales expense in 2007 compared with 2006 was due to growth in volume. 

CREDIT SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
Selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit segment are made up of bad debt and operational and marketing expenses, which are 
summarized in the following table: 

Fiscal year 
Bad debt expense1 
Operational and marketing expense 
Total credit selling, general and administrative expense 

2008 
  $173 
102 
  $275 

2007 
  $107 
91 
  $198 

2006 
$17 
75 
$92 

1In 2007, the one-time transitional charge-offs on the Nordstrom VISA receivables of $21 are included in other income and expense, net on our consolidated statement of earnings. In  
 the above disclosure this amount is included in bad debt expense. These charge-offs represent actual write-offs on the Nordstrom VISA credit card portfolio during the eight-month    
 transitional period. 

Bad Debt Expense 
Bad debt expense increased to $173 in 2008 from $107 in 2007 due to increased delinquencies and write-offs reflecting current consumer credit trends, 
as well as reserves for higher projected losses inherent in the receivables portfolio as of January 31, 2009. Overall, we believe our credit card portfolio 
remains high quality compared with the credit card industry as a whole, with customers considered to have prime or better credit scores making up 
approximately 90% of total spending on our credit cards in 2008. While our delinquency and write-off rates have been negatively impacted by the 
current economic conditions, our rates remain relatively low when compared to the credit card industry average. 

The following table illustrates the allowance for doubtful accounts activity for the past three fiscal years: 

Fiscal year 
Allowance at beginning of period 
Bad debt provision1 
Net write–offs (on–balance sheet) 
Allowance at end of period 
Allowance as a percentage of on-balance sheet  

  accounts receivable 

Bad debt provision as a percentage of average on-balance sheet 

   accounts receivable 

Net write-offs as a percentage of average receivables2 

  2008 
                  $73 
                  173 
     (108) 
                $138 

2007 
    $17 
                     86 
  (30) 
     $73 

2006 
     $18 
                     17 
 (18) 
     $17 

                6.8% 

                 9.1% 
                 5.6% 

   4.1% 

   5.8% 
   3.5% 

   2.7% 

   2.8% 
   2.5% 

1 In 2007, the one-time transitional charge-offs on the Nordstrom VISA receivables of $21 are included in bad debt expense in the selling, general and administrative expenses table above.    
 These charge-offs represent actual write-offs on the Nordstrom VISA credit card portfolio during the eight-month transitional period and are not included in the allowance for doubtful  
 accounts activity in the table above for 2007. 
2 Calculated as net write-offs for the combined Nordstrom private label and Nordstrom VISA portfolio as a percentage of average receivables, including average off-balance sheet receivables 
  in 2007 and 2006 of $182 and $816, respectively. 

Operational and Marketing Expense 
Operational and marketing expenses are incurred to support and service our credit card products and are included in selling, general and 
administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Operational and marketing expense increased from $91 in 2007 to $102 in 2008 
primarily due to additional marketing expenses as a result of an increase in promotions related to our loyalty program in 2008. The increase in 2007 
compared with 2006 was due to the launch of the Fashion Rewards program in 2007. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET 
During 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, other income and expense, net included income related to our retained interest in the Nordstrom VISA 
receivables, which was held in an off-balance sheet trust during these periods. The decline in other income and expense, net from $109 in 2006 to $18 in 
2007 is due to bringing the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables on-balance sheet as of May 1, 2007. Prior to this date, income and expenses related 
to the Nordstrom VISA portfolio were recorded net and included in other income and expense, net. After this date, credit card revenues, as well as bad 
debt and interest expense are recorded in the respective line items in our consolidated statement of earnings. 

2009 FORECAST OF CREDIT CARD REVENUES AND SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
In 2009, credit card revenues are expected to increase $50 to $55 due primarily to the changes in our credit card pricing terms which were effective 
November 15, 2008. We anticipate selling, general and administrative expense dollars for our credit segment to be approximately flat to down $15 
compared to 2008. In fiscal 2008, the rapid economic deterioration in the fourth quarter led to increased bad debt expense as we increased our 
reserves in response to anticipated higher delinquencies. 

Total Company Results 

Interest Expense, Net  

Fiscal year 
Interest expense, net  

2008 
$131 

2007 
$74 

2006 
$43 

2008 VS 2007 INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 
Interest expense, net increased $57 in 2008 compared with 2007 due to higher average debt levels resulting from the $1,000 debt offering in the fourth 
quarter of 2007, as well as the $850 securitization transaction in May 2007.  

2007 VS 2006 INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 
We experienced higher interest expense, net, of $74 in 2007 due to higher average debt levels resulting from the issuance of $850 in secured notes in 
May 2007 and our $1,000 debt offering during the fourth quarter of 2007.  

2009 FORECAST OF INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 
We anticipate interest expense, net to increase by $20 to $25 due to the higher cost of debt and higher average debt levels. Additional information 
about our interest expense and our fixed and variable rate debt is included in Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included as 
Item 7A of this Form 10-K.  

Income Tax Expense  

Fiscal year 
Income tax expense 
Effective tax rate 

2008 
$247 
38.1% 

2007 
$458 
39.0% 

2006 
$428 
38.7% 

2008 VS 2007 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 
The decline in income tax expense for the year correlates to the decline in earnings before income taxes. Our effective tax rate decreased to 38.1% for 
fiscal 2008 due to a change in our deferred tax assets primarily driven by the closure of several tax years under audit, partially offset by a permanent 
item related to investment valuation. The net impact of these items increased earnings per diluted share by $0.04. 

2007 VS 2006 INCOME TAX EXPENSE 
Our effective tax rate in 2007 increased from the 2006 rate because of the impact of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 
48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) and changes in our estimates of the carrying value of our deferred tax assets. 

2009 FORECAST OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE 
In 2009, considering the unfavorable impact of anticipated lower sales, we expect our effective tax rate to be between 39.4% and 39.7%.  

Net Earnings and Earnings per Diluted Share  

Fiscal year 
Net earnings 
Net earnings as a percentage of total revenues 
Earnings per diluted share 

2008 
$401 
4.7% 
$1.83 

2007 
$715 
7.9% 
$2.88 

2006 
$678 
7.8% 
$2.55 

2008 VS 2007 NET EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE 
In 2008, net earnings decreased 43.9% and earnings per diluted share decreased 36.5% as a result of lower sales volume, increased markdowns and 
higher bad debt expense, partially offset by decreased variable costs and savings in fixed expenses. The decline in earnings per share was also partially 
offset by the impact of share repurchases, which caused our weighted average shares outstanding to decrease in 2008 compared with 2007. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  21 

  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 VS 2006 NET EARNINGS AND EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE 
In 2007, net earnings increased 5.5% and earnings per diluted share increased 12.9% compared with 2006 as a result of same-store sales  
increases, three full-line stores opened during the year and lower incentive costs tied to company performance. These increases were offset by 
increased markdowns at our full-line stores and higher bad debt expense. Additionally, earnings per diluted share for 2007 were impacted by the 
following transactions:  

• 

• 

• 

$0.09 positive impact from the gain on the sale of the Façonnable business, 

$0.07 positive impact from repurchases of common stock, and 

$0.06 negative impact from the securitization transaction.  

2009 FORECAST OF EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE 
We expect our earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $1.10 to $1.40 in 2009 primarily due to lower sales volume. 

Fourth Quarter Results  
The business environment during the fourth quarter challenged the retail industry and our company. Our earnings per diluted share were $0.31 for the 
quarter ended January 31, 2009 compared to $0.92 in the same period last year. Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $68 compared with 
$212 in 2007. 

Total sales for the quarter decreased 8.5% to $2,301 while same-store sales declined 12.5%. Results in full-line stores continued to be challenging, as 
same-store sales decreased 15.8% for the quarter. Nordstrom Rack remained one of the top performers amongst its off-price competition with a same-
store sales decrease of 1.5%. Women’s apparel and shoes were the Rack categories with same-store sales above the Rack average. Net sales for the 
Direct segment increased 9.7%, led by the shoes and kids’ apparel divisions. 

Our gross profit rate declined to 32.0% from 37.6% last year as we responded to slower sales trends and the competitive environment with increased 
markdowns. We continued to make good progress in aligning inventory levels with sales trends, ending the quarter with inventory per square foot down 
12% from the fourth quarter of 2007. 

Selling, general and administrative dollars for our Retail Stores, Direct and Other segments were approximately flat compared to last year, while these 
expenses as a percentage of net sales increased 191 basis points from 23.3% to 25.2%. Although we continued to vigorously control our expenses in the 
fourth quarter, the impact of declining sales resulted in the rate increase. Our new stores expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 were $20, which offset 
expense savings during the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit segment were $90, up from $52 in 2007. The increase was primarily 
driven by higher bad debt expense from increased delinquencies and write-offs. 

For further information on our quarterly results in 2008 and 2007, refer to Note 16 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) (Non-GAAP financial measure)  

We define Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as follows: 

ROIC = 

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) 
Average Invested Capital 

Numerator = NOPAT 
Net earnings 
+ Income tax expense 
+ Interest expense, net 
= EBIT 

+ Rent expense 
- Estimated depreciation on capitalized 

operating leases 
= Net operating profit 
- Estimated income tax expense 
= NOPAT 

Denominator = Average Invested Capital 
Average total assets 
- Average non-interest-bearing current liabilities 
- Average deferred property incentives 
+  Average estimated asset base of capitalized  

operating leases 

= Average invested capital 

We believe that ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating our operating performance for the periods presented. When read in 
conjunction with our net earnings and total assets and compared to return on assets, it provides investors with a useful tool to evaluate our ongoing 
operations and our management of assets from period to period. Over the past several years, we have incorporated ROIC into our key financial metrics, 
and since 2005 have used it as an executive incentive measure. Our research has shown historically that overall performance as measured by ROIC 
correlates directly to shareholders’ return over the long term. For the 12 fiscal months ended January 31, 2009, our ROIC decreased to 11.6% compared 
to 19.4% for the 12 fiscal months ended February 2, 2008. ROIC is not a measure of financial performance under United States GAAP and should not be 
considered a substitute for return on assets, net earnings or total assets as determined in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to 
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. See our ROIC reconciliation to GAAP below. The closest GAAP measure is return on assets, which 
decreased to 7.0% from 13.1% for the 12 months ended January 31, 2009 compared to the 12 months ended February 2, 2008. The following is a 
reconciliation of return on assets and ROIC: 

Net earnings 
Add: income tax expense 
Add: interest expense, net 
Earnings before interest and income taxes 

Add: rent expense 
Less: estimated depreciation on capitalized 
  operating leases1 
Net operating profit 

Estimated income tax expense 
Net operating profit after taxes 

Average total assets2 
Less: average non-interest-bearing current liabilities3 
Less: average deferred property incentives2 
Add: average estimated asset base of capitalized 
  operating leases4 
Average invested capital 

Return on assets 
ROIC 

       12 fiscal months ended 

  January 31, 2009 
$401 
247 
131 
779 

37 

(19) 
797 

(303) 
$494 

$5,768 
(1,447) 
(400) 

322 
$4,243 

7.0% 
11.6% 

  February 2, 2008 
$715 
458 
74 
1,247 

48 

                             (26) 
1,269 

(497) 
$772 

$5,455 
(1,506) 
(359) 

395 
$3,985 

13.1% 
19.4% 

1Depreciation based upon estimated asset base of capitalized operating leases as described in footnote 4 below. 
2Based upon the trailing 12-month average. 
3Based upon the trailing 12-month average for accounts payable, accrued salaries, wages and related benefits, and other current liabilities. 
4Based upon the trailing 12-month average of the monthly asset base which is calculated as the trailing 12 months rent expense multiplied by 8. 

Our ROIC declined primarily due to a decrease in our earnings before interest and income taxes compared to the prior year as well as an increase in our 
average invested capital. The increase in average invested capital compared to the prior year is primarily due to the securitization transaction on  
May 1, 2007, which brought the entire portfolio of Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables on-balance sheet as of that date.

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  23 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  
The following discussion of Liquidity and Capital Resources reflects the effects of the correction discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

We maintain a level of liquidity sufficient to allow us to cover our seasonal cash needs and to minimize our need for short-term borrowings. We believe 
that our operating cash flows and available credit facilities are sufficient to finance our cash requirements for the next 12 months. 

Over the long term, we manage our cash and capital structure to maximize shareholder return, strengthen our financial position and maintain  
flexibility for future strategic initiatives. We continuously assess our debt and leverage levels, capital expenditure requirements, principal debt 
payments, dividend payouts, potential share repurchases and future investments or acquisitions. We believe our operating cash flows and available 
credit facilities, as well as any potential future borrowing facilities, will be sufficient to fund these scheduled future payments and potential  
long-term initiatives. 

In 2008 cash decreased by $286 to $72 as of January 31, 2009. The decrease was driven by capital expenditures of $563, returns to our shareholders 
through dividends and repurchases of our common stock totaling $402, and purchases made by our customers for third-party merchandise and services 
using Nordstrom VISA credit cards of $232. These decreases were partially offset by cash provided by operating activities of $848. 

Operating Activities  
The majority of our operating cash inflows are related to sales to our customers, including the collection of accounts receivable. We also receive cash 
payments for property incentives from developers. Our operating cash outflows generally consist of payments to our inventory vendors (net of vendor 
allowances), payments to our employees for wages, salaries and other employee benefits, and payments to our landlords for rent. Operating cash 
outflows also include payments for income taxes and interest payments on our short and long-term borrowings. 

2008 VS 2007 OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
Net cash provided by operating activities increased from $312 in 2007 to $848 in 2008. In 2007, the conversion of our Nordstrom VISA credit card 
receivables into an on-balance sheet securitization program reduced cash provided by operating activities by $663. As a result of this transaction, we 
recorded the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables on our consolidated balance sheet and eliminated our investment in asset backed securities. The 
increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2008 compared with 2007 was also due to lower variable expenses, fixed cost reductions and a decrease 
in cash paid for taxes in 2008. These increases were offset by the impact of declining sales in 2008 as well as an increase in cash paid for interest. 

2009 FORECAST OF OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
In 2009, we expect our operating cash flows to decline as a result of lower sales.  

Investing Activities  
Our investing cash flows typically consist of capital expenditures and, beginning in the second quarter of 2007, customer purchases (net of payments) for 
goods and services outside of Nordstrom using the Nordstrom VISA credit cards. 

2008 VS 2007 INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
Net cash used in investing activities increased $371 to $792 in 2008, primarily due to an increase in third-party purchases using the Nordstrom VISA credit 
cards and an increase in capital expenditures. Additionally, the sale of our Façonnable business in 2007 partially offset investing cash outflows in the 
prior year. 

In 2008, we experienced growth in our Nordstrom VISA credit receivables related to purchases made by our customers for merchandise and services 
outside of Nordstrom. This drove an increase in cash used for accounts receivable originated at third parties, which was $232 in 2008 compared with 
$151 in 2007. The Nordstrom VISA credit cards enable our customers to purchase at merchants outside of Nordstrom and accumulate points for our 
Nordstrom Fashion Rewards® program (two points per dollar spent at Nordstrom and one point per dollar spent outside of Nordstrom stores). Upon 
reaching two thousand points, customers receive twenty dollars in Nordstrom Notes®, which can be redeemed for goods or services in our stores.  
We believe participation in the Fashion Rewards program has resulted in beneficial shifts in customer spending patterns and incremental sales in  
our stores. 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 
Our capital expenditures over the last three years totaled $1,328, with $563 in 2008, $501 in 2007 and $264 in 2006. With these capital expenditures, we 
added stores, enhanced existing facilities and improved our information systems. The largest components of these expenditures were for new or 
relocated stores and store remodels. We also received property incentives from our developers of $119 in 2008, $58 in 2007 and $31 in 2006. These 
incentives are included in our cash provided by operations in our consolidated statements of cash flows, however operationally we view these as an 
offset to our capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures, net of property incentives, for the last three years by category are summarized in the 
following table: 

Fiscal year 
Category: 
  New store openings and relocations 
  Remodels (major and minor) 
Information technology 

  Other 
Total 

2008 

55% 
30% 
8% 
7% 
100% 

2007 

51% 
27% 
8% 
14% 
100% 

2006 

35% 
39% 
13% 
13% 
  100% 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table summarizes our store count and square footage activity during 2008: 

Balance at February 2, 2008 
  New store openings & relocations 
  Store closings 
Balance at January 31, 2009 

Store Count 
Full–line  
Stores 
101 
8 
— 
109 

Rack and  
Other Stores 
55 
6 
(1) 
60 

Total 
156 
14 
(1) 
169 

Square Footage 
Full–line  
Stores 
18.4 
1.2 
— 
19.6 

Rack and  
Other Stores 
2.1 
0.2 
— 
2.3 

Total 
20.5 
1.4 
— 
21.9 

In 2008 we opened eight full-line stores (Aventura Mall in Aventura, Florida; Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, Hawaii; Burlington Mall in Burlington, 
Massachusetts; Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, Michigan; Thousand Oaks in Thousand Oaks, California; Fashion Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana; Ross 
Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Waterside in Naples, Florida), relocated one full-line store (Tacoma Mall in Tacoma, Washington), and opened six 
Rack stores (City Center in White Plains, New York; Laguna Hills Mall in Laguna Hills, California; Springbrook Prairie Pavilion in Naperville, Illinois; Legacy 
Village in Lyndhurst, Ohio; Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, Massachusetts; and The Rim in San Antonio, Texas). Together these openings increased our 
gross square footage by 6.7%. 

2009 AND LONG-TERM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FORECAST 
During 2008 we made adjustments to our capital plan as a result of developer delays due to the current economic conditions. With these changes, we 
delayed two planned store openings originally planned for 2009. To date in 2009, we have relocated one full-line store and opened two new Rack 
stores. During the remainder of 2009, we anticipate opening three new full-line stores and eight additional new Rack stores. 

We expect that our capital expenditures (net of property incentives) will be approximately $2,100 over the next five years, with approximately $325 
planned for 2009. Over these five years, we plan to use 47% of this investment to build new and relocated stores, 28% on remodels (major and minor), 
12% on information technology and 13% for other projects. Our current five-year plans include 28 new stores announced through 2013, which 
represents an 11% increase in square footage. Almost half of these stores will be in the Northeast and South. We have also reduced the number of major 
full-line store remodels from approximately six per year to approximately two per year. We believe that we have the capacity to address additional 
capital investments should opportunities arise.  

As of January 31, 2009, we were contractually committed to spend $54 for constructing new stores, remodeling existing stores, and other  
capital projects. 

Financing Activities  
Our net cash used in financing activities was $342 in 2008 compared with $64 provided by financing activities in 2007. In 2008, our financing activities 
consisted of $250 in principal paid related to our 5.625% senior notes, dividend payments of $138, and share repurchases of $264, partially offset by $275 of 
proceeds from commercial paper issuances. 

2008 SHORT AND LONG-TERM BORROWING ACTIVITY 
During 2008, we issued $150 in notes using our 2007-A Variable Funding Note (“VFN”) facility, which were repaid in full as of January 31, 2009. We also 
issued commercial paper, ending the year with outstanding borrowings of $275. The majority of the outstanding commercial paper as of year-end was 
used to repay our $250 senior notes, which we retired in January 2009. 

DIVIDENDS 

Fiscal year 
Cash dividends paid per share  

2008 
$0.64 

2007 
$0.54 

2006 
$0.42 

In 2008, we paid dividends of $0.64 per share, the twelfth consecutive year that our annual dividends increased. In determining the amount of dividends to 
pay, we analyze our dividend payout ratio and dividend yield, and balance the dividend payment with our operating performance and capital resources. For 
the dividend yield, which is calculated as our dividends per share divided by our stock price, we plan to target a 1.0% to 1.5% long-term yield. We will 
balance any potential future dividend changes with our operating performance and available capital resources.  

In February 2009, we declared a first quarter dividend of $0.16 per share, which is consistent with 2008.  

2008 SHARE REPURCHASES 
Our reported results for 2008 include $264 in share repurchases. During 2008 we repurchased 6.9 shares of our common stock for an aggregate 
purchase price of $238, at an average price per share of $34.29. In addition, our results for the period include the settlement of $26 in repurchases 
initiated in the fourth quarter of 2007. In August 2007 our Board of Directors authorized a $1,500 share repurchase program and in November 2007 
authorized an additional $1,000 for share repurchases, bringing the total program to $2,500. Although the program will not expire until August 2009, we 
suspended our share repurchase program in September 2008. We may resume the program in the future if economic conditions improve. As of  
January 31, 2009, we had $1,126 in remaining capacity under our share repurchase program. The actual amount and timing of future share repurchases 
will be subject to market conditions and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  25 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Capacity and Commitments  
The following table summarizes our credit capacity, the amounts outstanding and the expiration per period: 

  2007–A $300 variable funding note 
  $100 variable funding note 
    $650 commercial paper/unsecured line of credit 

Import letters of credit 

Total 

Total 
Amounts 
 Outstanding 
- 
- 
$275 
$5 
$280 

 Less than 
1 year 
— 
- 
$275 
$5 
  $280 

  1–3 years 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

3–5 years 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

 More than 
5 years 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Our 2007-A Variable Funding Note facility is backed by substantially all of the Nordstrom private label card receivables and a 90% interest in the 
Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables with a capacity of $300. Borrowings under the facility incur interest based upon the cost of commercial paper 
issued by the third-party bank conduit plus specified fees. We pay a commitment fee for the note based on the size of the commitment and the amount 
of borrowings outstanding.  

Our $100 variable funding facility is backed by the remaining 10% interest in the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables and is available as liquidity 
support to our wholly owned federal savings bank, Nordstrom fsb. As of January 31, 2009, no issuances have been made against this facility. Borrowings 
under the facility incur interest based upon the cost of commercial paper issued by the third-party bank conduit plus specified fees. 

During 2008, we increased our short-term borrowing capacity by exercising the $150 accordion feature on our revolving credit facility. The accordion 
feature allowed us to increase our existing $500 unsecured line of credit to $650. In conjunction with the increase of our unsecured line of credit, we 
also increased our $500 commercial paper program to $650. The issuance of commercial paper has the effect, while it is outstanding, of reducing our 
borrowing capacity under the line of credit by an amount equal to the principal amount of the commercial paper. 

Under the terms of the commercial paper agreement, we pay a rate of interest based on, among other factors, the maturity of the issuance and market 
conditions. Our unsecured line of credit expires in November 2010. 

We currently have an automatic shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the terms of the registration 
statement, and subject to the filing of certain post-effective amendments, we are authorized to issue an unlimited principal amount of debt securities. 

We are continuing to monitor the credit markets to determine the best time to refinance with long-term debt. Our next debt maturity is a $350 
securitized note due in April 2010. 

Debt Covenants 
Our borrowing facilities include restrictive covenants, including the following significant restrictions: 

Facility 
2007–A $300 variable funding note 
$100 variable funding note 
$650 commercial paper/unsecured line of credit 

Description of Covenant 
Standard and Poor’s BB+ and Moody’s Ba1 ratings or better 
Standard and Poor’s BB+ and Moody’s Ba1 ratings or better 
Leverage ratio (“Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR” not greater than approximately four times) 

As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008 we were in compliance with these covenants. We will monitor each of these covenants closely in 2009 to 
ensure that we make any necessary adjustments to our plans and believe that we will remain in compliance with this covenant during 2009. See 
additional disclosure of Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR on the following page. 

The following table shows our credit ratings at the date of this report: 

Credit Ratings 
Senior unsecured debt 
Commercial paper 
Senior unsecured outlook 

Moody’s 
Baa2 
P-2 
Negative 

Standard 
and Poor’s 
A- 
A-2 
Negative/Watch 

These ratings could change depending on our performance and other factors. Our 2007-A VFN, which matures in November 2009, and our $100 variable 
funding facility can be cancelled or not renewed if our debt ratings fall below Standard and Poor’s BB+ rating or Moody’s Ba1 rating. Our other 
outstanding debt is not subject to termination or interest rate adjustments based on changes in our credit ratings. We are currently four ratings above 
the minimum for our Standard and Poor’s covenant requirements, and two ratings above the minimum for our Moody’s covenant requirements. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR (Non-GAAP financial measure)  
We define Adjusted Debt to Earnings before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and Rent (“EBITDAR”) as follows: 

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR = 

Adjusted Debt 
Earnings before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, 
Amortization and Rent (EBITDAR) 

Numerator = Adjusted Debt 
Debt 
+  Rent expense x 8 
=  Adjusted Debt 

Denominator = EBITDAR 
Net Earnings 
+  Income tax expense  
+  Interest expense, net 
+    Depreciation and amortization of buildings and equipment 
+  Rent expense 
=  EBITDAR 

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is one of our key financial metrics and we believe that our debt levels are best analyzed using this measure. Our goal today  
is to manage debt levels at a point which we believe will help us maintain an investment grade credit rating as well as operate with an efficient capital 
structure for our size, growth plans and industry. Investment grade credit ratings are important to maintaining access to a variety of short-term and 
long-term sources of funding, and we rely on these funding sources to continue to grow our business. We believe a higher ratio, among other factors, 
could result in rating agency downgrades. In contrast, we believe a lower ratio would result in a higher cost of capital and could negatively impact 
shareholder returns. As of January 31, 2009, our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR was 2.5 compared to 1.8 at the end of 2007. The increase was the result of  
a decrease in EBITDAR in 2008 compared with 2007, driven primarily by a reduction in net earnings from $715 in 2007 to $401 in 2008. 

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for debt to net earnings,  
net earnings or debt as determined in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR does have limitations: 

• 

• 

Adjusted Debt is our best estimate of the total company debt we would incur if we had purchased the property associated with our 
operating leases.  
EBITDAR does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, including 
leases, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt. 
Other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a  

• 
        comparative measure. 

To compensate for these limitations, we analyze Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR in conjunction with other GAAP financial and performance measures 
impacting liquidity, including operating cash flows, capital spending and net earnings (see our Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR reconciliation to GAAP below). 
The closest GAAP measure is debt to net earnings, which was 6.3 and 3.5 for 2008 and 2007, respectively. The following is a reconciliation of debt to net 
earnings and Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR: 

Debt2 
Add: rent expense x 83 
Adjusted Debt 

Net earnings 
Add: income tax expense 
Add: interest expense, net 
Earnings before interest and income taxes 

Add: depreciation and amortization of buildings and equipment 
Add: rent expense4 
EBITDAR 

Debt to Net Earnings 
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR 

20081 
$2,513 
298 
$2,811 

401 
247 
131 
779 

302 
37 
$1,118 

6.3 
2.5 

20071 
$2,497 
382 
$2,879 

715 
458 
74 
1,247 

269 
48 
$1,564 

3.5 
1.8 

1The components of adjusted debt are as of the end of 2008 and 2007, while the components of EBITDAR are for the 12 months ended January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008. 
2Debt includes $275 of outstanding commercial paper borrowings as of January 31, 2009. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of February 2, 2008. 
3The multiple of eight times rent expense used to calculate adjusted debt is our best estimate of the debt we would record for our leases which are classified as operating,  
  if they had met criteria for a capital lease, or if we had purchased the property. 
4The decrease in rent expense is primarily due to the sale of our Façonnable business in the third quarter of 2007. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  27 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations  
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and the expected effect on our liquidity and cash flows as of January 31, 2009. We expect to 
fund these commitments primarily with operating cash flows generated in the normal course of business and credit available to us under existing and 
potential future facilities. 

Long-term debt 
Capital lease obligations 
Other long-term liabilities 
Operating leases 
Purchase obligations 
Total 

Total 
 $3,759 
20 
178 
696 
1,059 
$5,712 

  Less than 
1 year 
$134 
3 
13 
79 
983 
$1,212 

1–3 years 
$549 
4 
39 
160 
72 
$824 

  3–5 years 
$690 
4 
25 
122 
4 
$845 

  More than 
5 years 
$2,386 
9 
101 
335 
- 
$2,831 

Included in the required debt repayments disclosed above are estimated total interest payments of $1,534 as of January 31, 2009, payable over the 
remaining life of the debts. 

Other long-term liabilities consist of workers’ compensation and general liability insurance reserves, postretirement benefits and a portion of our 
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) reserves. The repayment 
amounts presented above were determined based on historical payment trends. We expect to pay $13 of uncertain tax positions under FIN 48 in the 
next 12 months and include this balance in other long-term liabilities as due in less than one year. We are unable to reasonably estimate the timing of 
future cash flows for the remaining FIN 48 balance and have excluded this from the table above. Other long-term liabilities not requiring cash 
payments, such as deferred property incentives and deferred revenue, were excluded from the table above.  

Purchase obligations primarily consist of purchase orders for unreceived goods or services and capital expenditure commitments. 

This table also excludes the short-term liabilities, other than the current portion of long-term debt, disclosed on our 2008 consolidated balance sheet, 
as the amounts recorded for these items will be paid in the next year. 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 
The preparation of our financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that 
we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following discussion highlights the estimates 
we feel are critical and should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Our management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of 
Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the company’s disclosures that follow. 

Inventory  
Our merchandise inventories are primarily stated at the lower of cost or market using the retail inventory method. Under the retail method, the 
valuation of inventories and the resulting gross margins are determined by applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio to the retail value of ending 
inventory. To determine if the retail value of our inventory should be marked down, we consider current and anticipated demand, customer 
preferences, age of the merchandise and fashion trends. As our inventory retail value is adjusted regularly to reflect market conditions, our inventory 
is valued at the lower of cost or market. Inherent in the retail inventory method are certain management judgments that may affect the ending 
inventory valuation as well as gross margin. Among others, the significant estimates used in inventory valuation are obsolescence and shrinkage. 

We reserve for obsolescence based on historical trends and specific identification. Shrinkage is estimated as a percentage of net sales for the period 
from the most recent semi-annual inventory count based on historical shrinkage results. Therefore, our obsolescence reserve and shrinkage 
percentage contain uncertainties as the calculations require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment regarding a number of factors, 
including market conditions, the selling environment, historical results and current inventory trends. 

Management does not believe that the assumptions used in these estimates will change significantly based on prior experience. In prior years, we have 
made no material changes to our estimates included in the calculations of the obsolescence and shrinkage reserves. We do not believe a 10% change in 
the obsolescence reserve or our shrink percentage would have a material effect on our net earnings. 

Revenue Recognition  
We recognize revenues net of estimated returns and we exclude sales taxes. Our retail stores record revenue at the point of sale. Our catalog and 
online sales include shipping revenue and are recorded upon estimated delivery to the customer. As part of the normal sales cycle, we receive 
customer merchandise returns. To recognize the financial impact of sales returns, we estimate the amount of goods that will be returned and reduce 
sales and cost of sales accordingly. Inherent in establishing and maintaining a sales return reserve are management judgments around customer 
return patterns and return rates. We utilize historical return patterns to estimate our expected returns.  

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although we believe we have sufficient current and historical knowledge to record reasonable estimates of sales returns, there is a possibility that 
actual returns could differ from recorded amounts. A 10% change in the sales return reserve would have had a $4 impact on our net earnings for the 
year ended January 31, 2009. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 
Our allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of the losses inherent in our Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom VISA credit 
card receivables as of the balance sheet date. We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based on several factors, including historical 
trends of aging of accounts, write-off experience and expectations of future performance. We recognize finance charges on delinquent accounts until 
the account is written off. Delinquent accounts are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible, usually after the passage of 151 days 
without receiving a full scheduled monthly payment. Accounts are written off sooner in the event of customer bankruptcy or other circumstances that 
make further collection unlikely. Management believes the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate to cover anticipated losses in our credit card 
accounts receivable under current conditions; however, significant deterioration in any of the factors mentioned above or in general economic 
conditions could materially change these expectations. In prior years, we have not made material changes to our estimates involved in the allowance 
for doubtful accounts. A 10% change in our allowance for doubtful accounts would have affected net earnings by $9 for the fiscal year ended  
January 31, 2009.  

Income Taxes 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we calculate income taxes using the asset and 
liability approach. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and 
respective tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which  
we expect those temporary differences to reverse. As audits of income tax returns for prior years are completed, adjustments may occur related to 
previously recorded deferred taxes. These potential adjustments, if any, are not expected to be material.  

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). Under 
SFAS 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair 
value with limited exceptions. SFAS 141(R) will change the accounting treatment for certain specific acquisition-related items, including expensing 
acquisition-related costs as incurred, valuing noncontrolling interests (minority interests) at fair value at the acquisition date, and expensing 
restructuring costs associated with an acquired business. SFAS 141(R) also includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. SFAS 141(R) is 
to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted. 
Generally, the effect of SFAS 141(R) will depend on the circumstances of any potential future acquisition. 

Also in December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements 
— an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) 
in a subsidiary, provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of the deconsolidation of a subsidiary, and increases transparency through 
expanded disclosures. Specifically, SFAS 160 requires the recognition of a minority interest as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate 
from the parent company’s equity. It also requires consolidated net earnings in the consolidated statement of earnings to include the amount of net 
earnings attributable to minority interest. This statement will be effective for Nordstrom as of the beginning of fiscal year 2009. Early adoption is not 
permitted. We do not believe the impact of the adoption of SFAS 160 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial 
assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least 
annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We are presently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 157 for our nonfinancial assets 
and nonfinancial liabilities and do not believe it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. 

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an 
amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS 133 about an entity’s derivative instruments and 
hedging activities. This statement will be effective for Nordstrom as of the beginning of fiscal year 2009. We do not believe the impact of the adoption of 
SFAS 161 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  29 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 
(Dollars in millions) 

INTEREST RATE RISK 
Our primary exposure to market risk is through changes in interest rates. In seeking to minimize risk, we manage exposure through our regular  
operating and financing activities. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and are not party to any leveraged 
financial instruments. 

We have both credit card receivables that generate finance charge income and debt obligations for which we pay fixed and variable interest expense.  
We manage our net interest rate exposure through our mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings. A portion of our credit card receivables maintains a fixed 
interest rate. Additionally, a portion of this portfolio is used as convenience by our customers who pay in full monthly. The annualized effect of a one-
percentage-point change in interest rates would not materially affect net earnings.  

Additionally, short-term borrowing and investing activities generally bear interest at variable rates, but because they have maturities of three months or 
less, we believe that the risk of material loss is low, and that the carrying amount approximates fair value.   

The table below presents information about our debt obligations that are sensitive to changes in interest rates at January 31, 2009. For debt obligations, 
including our capital leases, the table presents principal amounts, at book value, by maturity date, and related weighted average interest rates.  

Dollars in millions 
Long-term debt 
  Fixed 

  Avg. int. rate 

  Variable 

  Avg. int. rate 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Thereafter 

Total at 
  January 31, 
2009 

  Fair value at 
  January 31, 
2009 

$24 
6.3% 
— 
— 

$356 
5.0% 
— 
— 

$6 
8.8% 
— 
— 

$6 
8.5% 
 $500 
0.5% 

  $7 
8.4% 
— 
— 

$1,339 
6.7% 
— 
— 

$1,738 
6.4% 
$500 
0.5% 

  $1,400 

$350 

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK 
The majority of our revenue, expense and capital expenditures are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we periodically enter into foreign currency 
purchase orders denominated in Euros for apparel, accessories and shoes. We use forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency 
prices. We do not believe the fair value of our outstanding forward contracts at January 31, 2009 to be material. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as is defined in the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934. These internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the reported financial information is presented 
fairly, that disclosures are adequate and that the judgments inherent in the preparation of financial statements are reasonable. There are inherent 
limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, including the possibility of human error and overriding of controls. Consequently, 
an effective internal control system can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance, with respect to reporting financial information.  

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria 
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based 
on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 31, 2009. 

Deloitte and Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, is retained to audit Nordstrom’s consolidated financial statements and 
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Its accompanying reports are based on audits conducted in accordance 
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 

/s/ Michael G. Koppel 
Michael G. Koppel 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

/s/ Blake W. Nordstrom 
Blake W. Nordstrom 
President 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  31 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Nordstrom, Inc. 
Seattle, Washington 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2009, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that 
a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and 
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for  
our opinion. 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and 
principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other 
personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external 
purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A company’s internal control over financial 
reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could 
have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management 
override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009,  
based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the  
Treadway Commission. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated 
financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended January 31, 2009, of the Company and our report dated March 20, 
2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule. 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP  
Seattle, Washington 
March 20, 2009 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Nordstrom, Inc. 
Seattle, Washington  

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 31, 2009 and 
February 2, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the 
period ended January 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a)2. These financial 
statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material 
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit 
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nordstrom, Inc. and 
subsidiaries as of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the 
period ended January 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, 
such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all 
material respects, the information set forth therein. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 20, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Seattle, Washington 
March 20, 2009 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  33 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings 
In millions except per share amounts  

Fiscal year 
Net sales 
Credit card revenues 
Total revenues 
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs 
Selling, general and administrative expenses: 
    Retail stores, direct and other segments 
    Credit segment 
Other income and expense, net 
Gain on sale of Façonnable 
Earnings before interest and income taxes 
Interest expense, net 
Earnings before income taxes 
Income tax expense 
Net earnings 

Earnings per basic share 
Earnings per diluted share 

Basic shares 
Diluted shares 

2008 
$8,272 
       301 
   8,573 
(5,417) 

(2,111) 
(275) 
       9 
– 
779 
(131) 
648 
(247) 
$401 

  $1.85 
  $1.83 

  216.6 
  219.2 

2007 
$8,828 
       252 
   9,080 
(5,526) 

(2,183) 
(177) 
       19 
34 
1,247 
(74) 
1,173 
(458) 
$715 

  $2.92 
  $2.88 

  244.8 
  248.8 

2006 
$8,561 
105 
8,666 
(5,354) 

(2,205) 
(92) 
134 
— 
1,149 
(43) 
1,106 
(428) 
$678 

$2.60 
$2.55 

260.7 
265.7 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
In millions 

January 31, 2009 

February 2, 2008 

Assets 
Current assets: 
  Cash and cash equivalents 
  Accounts receivable, net 
  Merchandise inventories 
  Current deferred tax assets, net 
  Prepaid expenses and other 
Total current assets 
Land, buildings and equipment, net 
Goodwill 
Other assets 
Total assets 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
Current liabilities: 
  Commercial paper 
  Accounts payable 
  Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits 
  Other current liabilities 
  Current portion of long-term debt 
Total current liabilities 
Long-term debt, net 
Deferred property incentives, net 
Other liabilities 
Commitments and contingencies 
Shareholders’ equity: 
  Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 
  215.4 and 220.9 shares issued and outstanding 

  Retained earnings 
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss 
Total shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

$72 
1,942 
900 
210 
93 
3,217 
2,221 
53 
170 
$5,661 

$275 
563 
214 
525 
24 
1,601 
2,214 
435 
201 

997 
223 
(10) 
1,210 
$5,661 

$358 
1,788 
956 
181 
78 
3,361 
1,983 
53 
203 
$5,600 

— 
$556 
268 
550 
261 
1,635 
2,236 
369 
245 

936 
201 
(22) 
1,115 
$5,600 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  35 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 
In millions except per share amounts 

Balance at January 28, 2006 
Net earnings 
Other comprehensive earnings (loss): 

Foreign currency translation adjustment 

  Unrecognized gain on postretirement benefit obligations 
  net of tax of $(2), prior to adoption of SFAS 158 
Fair value adjustment to investment in  
  asset backed securities, net of tax of $2  

Comprehensive net earnings 
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158, net of tax of $8  
Cash dividends paid ($0.42 per share) 
Issuance of common stock for: 
  Stock option plans 

Employee stock purchase plan 

  Other 
Stock-based compensation 
Repurchase of common stock 
Balance at February 3, 2007 

Cumulative effect adjustment to adopt FIN 48 
Adjusted Beginning Balance at February 3, 2007 
Net earnings 
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings: 

Foreign currency translation adjustment 

  Postretirement plan adjustments, 

  net of tax of ($5) 
Fair value adjustment to investment in asset backed 

securities, net of tax of $3 

Comprehensive net earnings 
Cash dividends paid ($0.54 per share) 
Issuance of common stock for: 
  Stock option plans 

Employee stock purchase plan 

  Other 
Stock-based compensation 
Repurchase of common stock 
Balance at February 2, 2008 
Net earnings 
Other comprehensive earnings: 
  Postretirement plan adjustments, 

  net of tax of ($8) 
Comprehensive net earnings 
Cash dividends paid ($0.64 per share) 
Effect of postretirement plan measurement 
date change pursuant to SFAS 158 

Issuance of common stock for: 
  Stock option plans 

Employee stock purchase plan 

  Other 
Stock-based compensation 
Repurchase of common stock 
Balance at January 31, 2009 

     Common Stock 

Shares 
269.5 
— 

Amount 
$686 
— 

Retained 
Earnings 
  $1,404 
678 

— 

— 

— 

— 
— 

3.8 
0.5 
— 
— 
(16.5) 
257.3 

— 
257.3 
— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

2.2 
0.4 
0.1 
— 
(39.1) 
220.9 
— 

— 

— 

— 

0.8 
0.6 
— 
— 
(6.9) 
215.4 

— 

— 

— 

— 
— 

94 
17 
1 
29 
— 
827 

— 
827 
— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

61 
17 
5 
26 
— 
$936 
— 

— 

— 

— 

17 
17 
1 
26 
— 
$997 

— 

— 

— 

— 
(110) 

— 
— 
— 
— 
(621) 
1,351 

(3) 
1,348 
715 

— 

— 

— 

(134) 

— 
— 
— 
— 
(1,728) 
$201 
401 

— 

(138) 

(3) 

— 
— 
— 
— 
(238) 
  $223 

Accumulated 
 Other 
Comprehensive 
Earnings (Loss) 

$3 
— 

1 

3 

(3) 

(13) 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(9) 

— 
(9) 
— 

(15) 

7 

(5) 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
$(22) 
— 

12 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
$(10) 

Total 
$2,093 
678 

1 

3 

(3) 
679 
(13) 
(110) 

94 
17 
1 
29 
(621) 
2,169 

(3) 
2,166 
715 

(15) 

7 

            (5) 
702 
(134) 

61 
17 
5 
26 
(1,728) 
$1,115 
401 

             12 
413 
(138) 

(3) 

17 
17 
1 
26 
(238) 
$1,210 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
In millions 

Fiscal year 
Operating Activities 
Net earnings 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  Depreciation and amortization of buildings and equipment 
     Gain on sale of Façonnable 
  Amortization of deferred property incentives and other, net 
  Stock-based compensation expense 
  Deferred income taxes, net 

Tax benefit from stock-based payments 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payments 

  Provision for bad debt expense 
  Change in operating assets and liabilities: 

  Accounts receivable 

Investment in asset backed securities 

  Merchandise inventories 
  Prepaid expenses 
  Other assets 
  Accounts payable 
  Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits 
  Other current liabilities 

Income taxes  

  Deferred property incentives 
  Other liabilities 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

Investing Activities 
Capital expenditures 
Change in accounts receivable originated at third parties 
Proceeds from sale of Façonnable 
Proceeds from sale of assets 
Purchases of short-term investments 
Sales of short-term investments 
Other, net 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing Activities 
Proceeds from commercial paper 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net 
Principal payments on long-term borrowings 
Increase (decrease) in cash book overdrafts 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payments 
Cash dividends paid 
Repurchase of common stock 
Other, net 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

2008 

$401 

302 
— 
(21) 
28 
(36) 
3 
(4) 
173 

(93)  
— 
53  
9 
29 
16 
(54) 
28 
(76) 
119 
(29) 
848 

(563) 
(232) 
— 
2 
— 
— 
1 
(792) 

275 
150 
(410) 
20 
13 
17 
4 
(138) 
(264) 
(9) 
(342) 

(286) 
358 
$72 

2007 

$715 

269 
(34) 
(36) 
26 
(42) 
28 
(26) 
107 

(1,083)  
420 
—  
(9) 
(27) 
(19) 
(64) 
36 
(6) 
58 
(1) 
312 

(501) 
(151) 
216 
12 
— 
— 
3 
(421) 

— 
2,510 
(680) 
5 
34 
17 
26 
(134) 
(1,702) 
(12) 
64 

(45) 
403 
$358 

2006 

$678 

285 
— 
(36) 
37 
(58) 
44 
(38) 
17 

(61) 
128 
(39) 
(5) 
(8) 
84 
49 
23 
(6) 
31 
17 
1,142 

(264) 
— 
— 
— 
(110) 
164 
(8) 
(218) 

— 
— 
(307) 
(51) 
51 
16 
38 
(110) 
(621) 
— 
(984) 

(60) 
463 
$403 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  37 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 1:  NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The Company 
Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom is a fashion specialty retailer that offers customers a well-edited selection of high-
quality fashion brands focused on clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children. This breadth of merchandise allows us to serve both 
our affluent customer segment as well as those who appreciate quality products and experiences. We offer a wide selection of brand name and 
private label merchandise. We offer our products through multiple retail channels, including 109 ‘Nordstrom’ full-line stores, 56 off-price ‘Nordstrom 
Rack’ stores, two ‘Jeffrey’ boutiques, two clearance stores, our catalogs and through our online store at www.nordstrom.com. Our stores are located 
throughout the United States.  

Our credit operations offer a Nordstrom private label card, two Nordstrom VISA credit cards and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases, which 
generate credit card revenues. We offer our customers a variety of payment products and services, including our loyalty program. 

Our operations also include a product development group, which coordinates the design and production of private label merchandise sold in our 
retail stores. 

Fiscal Year 
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31st. References to 2008 relate to the 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.  
References to 2007 and 2006 relate to the 52-week fiscal year ended February 2, 2008 and the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2007, 
respectively. Fiscal year 2006 includes an extra week (the 53rd week) as a result of our 4-5-4 retail reporting calendar. References to 2009 relate to 
the 52-week fiscal year ending January 30, 2010. 

Principles of Consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements include the balances of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances are 
eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates 
We make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ 
from those estimates. 

Reclassification 
In order to improve the transparency related to our Credit segment, we have reclassified credit card revenues and expenses in our consolidated 
statements of earnings in 2007 and 2006 to conform to our 2008 presentation. Credit card revenues were previously included in finance charges and 
other, net in our consolidated statement of earnings and selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit segment were previously included in 
total selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. These reclassifications did not impact our reported net 
earnings, earnings per share or cash flows for these periods. 

Net Sales 
We record revenues net of estimated returns and we exclude sales taxes. Our retail stores record revenue at the point of sale. Our catalog and online 
sales include shipping revenue and are recorded upon estimated receipt by the customer. We recognize revenue associated with our gift cards upon 
redemption of the gift card. As part of the normal sales cycle, we receive customer merchandise returns. To recognize the financial impact of sales 
returns, we estimate the amount of goods that will be returned and reduce sales and cost of sales accordingly. We utilize historical return patterns 
to estimate our expected returns. Our sales return reserves were $70 and $56 at the end of 2008 and 2007. 

Credit Card Revenues and Credit Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 
Credit card revenues include finance charges, late and other fees generated by our combined Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom VISA 
credit card programs, and interchange fees generated by the use of Nordstrom VISA cards at third-party merchants. These revenues were previously 
included in finance charges and other, net in our consolidated statement of earnings. Selling, general and administrative expenses for our credit 
segment consist of operational and marketing costs incurred to support and service our credit card programs and bad debt expense, and were 
previously included in total selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of earnings. 

Buying and Occupancy Costs 
Buying costs consist primarily of compensation and other costs incurred by our merchandise and product development groups. Occupancy costs 
include rent, depreciation, property taxes and facility operating costs of our retail, corporate center and distribution operations. 

Shipping and Handling Costs 
Our shipping and handling costs include payments to third-party shippers and costs to hold, move and prepare merchandise for shipment.  
Shipping and handling costs of $106, $87 and $78 in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were included in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Advertising 
Production costs for newspaper, radio and other media are expensed the first time the advertisement is run. Total advertising expenses, net of vendor 
allowances, of $98, $101 and $109 in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were included in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

Other Income and Expense, Net 
On May 1, 2007, we converted our Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom VISA credit card programs into one securitization program. Prior to the 
transaction, other income and expense, net consisted primarily of earnings from our investment in asset backed securities and securitization gains and 
losses, which were both generated from the Nordstrom VISA credit card program. 

Gift card breakage is another component of other income and expense, net. Based on an analysis of our program since its inception in 1999, we 
determined that balances remaining on cards issued beyond five years ago are unlikely to be redeemed and therefore may be recognized as income. 
Breakage income was $7, $6 and $5 in 2008, 2007 and 2006. This breakage income is approximately 3.5% of the amount initially issued as gift cards. 

Stock-Based Compensation 
We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The total compensation expense is reduced 
by estimated forfeitures expected to occur over the vesting period of the award. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Binomial 
Lattice option valuation model. We believe that this model provides a better estimate of fair value than the Black-Scholes option valuation model, as it 
can accommodate variability in assumptions for expected volatility, dividends and risk-free interest rates. Refer to Note 12: Shareholders’ Equity and 
Stock Compensation Plans for additional information on our stock option plans and related stock-based compensation expense. 

Cash Equivalents 
Cash equivalents are short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase and are carried at amortized cost, 
which approximates fair value. Our cash management system provides for the reimbursement of all major bank disbursement accounts on a daily 
basis. Accounts payable at the end of 2008 and 2007 included $66 and $46 of checks not yet presented for payment drawn in excess of our bank 
deposit balances. 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information 

Fiscal year 
Cash paid during the year for: 

Interest (net of capitalized interest) 
Income taxes 

2008 

$145 
340 

2007 

$75 
478 

2006 

$55 
449 

Statement of Cash Flows Correction 
Subsequent to the issuance of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we determined that beginning in the second quarter of 2007, cash flows arising 
from VISA originations and repayments for sales outside of Nordstrom are more properly defined as an investing activity rather than an operating 
activity within our consolidated statements of cash flows. As a result, net cash used in operating activities and net cash used in investing activities 
in the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows for 2007 have been corrected from the amounts previously reported as follows: 

Operating Activities: 
Change in accounts receivable  
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Fiscal year 2007 

As  
previously 
reported 

As  
corrected   

$(1,234)  
161  

$(1,083)  
312   

Investing Activities: 
Change in accounts receivable originated at third parties 
Net cash used in investing activities 

—   
(270) 

(151)  
(421)  

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  39 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Securitization of Accounts Receivable 
Prior to May 2007, through our wholly owned federal savings bank, Nordstrom fsb, we offered a private label card and two Nordstrom VISA credit 
cards. The private label card receivables were held in a trust, which could issue third-party debt that was secured by the private label receivables; 
the private label program was treated as ‘on-balance sheet,’ with the receivables, net of bad debt allowance, and debt, if any, recorded on our 
consolidated balance sheet, the finance charge income recorded in credit card revenues, and the bad debt expense recorded in credit segment 
selling, general and administrative expenses. 

The Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables were held in a separate trust (the VISA Trust), which could issue third-party debt that was secured by the 
Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables. The Nordstrom VISA credit card program was treated as ‘off-balance sheet.’ We recorded the fair value of 
our interest in the VISA Trust on our consolidated balance sheet, gains on the sale of receivables to the VISA Trust and our share of the VISA Trust’s 
finance income in other income and expense, net. 

On May 1, 2007, we converted the Nordstrom private label cards and Nordstrom VISA credit card programs into one securitization program, which is 
accounted for as a secured borrowing (on-balance sheet). When we combined the securitization programs, our investment in asset backed securities, 
which was accounted for as available-for-sale securities, was eliminated and we reacquired all of the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables 
previously held off-balance sheet. These reacquired Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables were recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition.  
We have transitioned the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivable portfolio to historical cost, net of bad debt allowances, on our consolidated  
balance sheet. 

Also on May 1, 2007, the trust issued securities that are backed by substantially all of the Nordstrom private label card receivables and 90% of the 
Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables. Under the securitization, the receivables are transferred to a third-party trust on a daily basis. The balance 
of the receivables transferred to the trust fluctuates as new receivables are generated and old receivables are retired (through payments received, 
charge-offs or credits for merchandise returns). These combined receivables back the Series 2007-1 Notes, the Series 2007-2 Notes, and two unused 
variable funding notes that are discussed in Note 6: Debt and Credit Facilities. 

Our credit card securitization agreements set a maximum percentage of receivables that can be associated with various receivable categories, such 
as employee or foreign receivables. As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, these maximums were not exceeded. 

The following table summarizes certain income, expenses and cash flows received from and paid to the VISA Trust prior to the May 2007 transaction: 

Period 
Principal collections reinvested in new receivables 
Gains on sales of receivables 
Income earned on beneficial interests 
Cash flows (used in) provided by beneficial interests: 

Investment in asset backed securities 

  Servicing fees 

  3 months ended 
May 1, 2007 
$819 
3 
21 

12 months ended 
February 3, 2007 
$3,094 
20 
75 

(457) 
2 

494 
16 

Net credit losses were $9 and $22 in 2007 and 2006. 

Merchandise Inventories 
Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, using the retail method (weighted average cost). 

Land, Buildings and Equipment 
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows: 

Asset 
Buildings and improvements 
Store fixtures and equipment 
Leasehold improvements 
Software 

Life (in years) 
     5–40 
                  3–15 
Shorter of initial lease term or asset life 
3–7 

Goodwill 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”), we review our goodwill 
annually for impairment in the first quarter or when circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. SFAS 142 
requires that the test be performed through the application of a two-step fair value test. The first step of the test compares the book value to the 
estimated fair value which is based on future cash flows.  If fair value does not exceed carrying value then a second step is performed to quantify 
the amount of the impairment. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, when facts 
and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of long-lived assets may be impaired, we perform an evaluation of recoverability by comparing 
the carrying values  of the net assets to projected undiscounted future cash  flows in addition to other  quantitative and  qualitative analyses. Upon 
indication that the carrying values of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss. We estimate the fair value of the 
assets using the discounted future cash flows of the assets. Property, plant and equipment assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are 
identifiable cash flows when assessing impairment. Cash flows for our retail store assets are identified at the individual store level. 

Leases 
We recognize lease expense, net of landlord reimbursements, on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term from the time that we control the 
leased property.  

We lease the land or the land and buildings at many of our full-line stores, and we lease the buildings at many of our Rack stores. Additionally, we 
lease office facilities, warehouses and equipment. Most of these leases are classified as operating leases and they expire at various dates through 
2080. We have no significant individual or master lease agreements. 

Our fixed, noncancelable lease terms generally are 20 to 30 years for full-line stores and 10 to 15 years for Rack stores. Many of our leases include 
options that allow us to extend the lease term beyond the initial commitment period, subject to terms agreed to at lease inception. 

For leases that contain predetermined, fixed escalations of the minimum rent, we recognize the rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the 
difference between the rent expense and the rent payable as a liability. 

Most of our leases also provide for payment of operating expenses, such as common area charges, real estate taxes and other executory costs. 
Some leases require additional payments based on sales and are recorded in rent expense when the contingent rent is probable. 

Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease are amortized over the shorter of the asset life or the initial lease term as described 
above. Leasehold improvements made during the lease term are also amortized over the shorter of the asset life or the remaining lease term. 

We receive incentives to construct stores in certain developments. These incentives are recorded as a deferred credit and recognized as a reduction  
to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term as described above. At the end of 2008 and 2007, this deferred credit balance was $478  
and $408. Also, we may receive incentives based on a store’s net sales; we recognize these incentives in the year that they are earned as a reduction  
of rent expense. 

Foreign Currency Translation 
During 2008, we did not own any material foreign subsidiaries, and therefore, we did not recognize any foreign currency translation in accumulated 
other comprehensive earnings. Prior to the sale of the Façonnable business in the third quarter of 2007, the assets and liabilities of our foreign 
subsidiaries were translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rates effective on the balance sheet date, while income and expense accounts were 
translated at the average rates in effect during the year. The resulting translation adjustments were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive 
earnings in 2007 and 2006.  

Income Taxes 
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Using this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on 
differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using the enacted 
tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We establish valuation allowances for tax benefits 
when we believe it is not likely that the related expense will be deductible for tax purposes. 

Effective February 4, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income 
Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. In accordance with FIN 48, we regularly evaluate the likelihood of realizing the 
benefit for income tax positions we have taken in various federal, state and foreign filings by considering all relevant facts, circumstances and 
information available. We follow the general guidelines that FIN 48 sets forth in determining whether a tax position will ultimately prevail. If we 
believe it is more likely than not that our position will be sustained, we recognize a benefit. The amount of the benefit is the amount which we 
believe is greater than 50% likely to be realized. 

Other Current Liabilities 
Included in other current liabilities were gift card liabilities of $175 and $188 at the end of 2008 and 2007. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  41 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Loyalty Program 
Customers who reach a cumulative purchase threshold when using our Nordstrom private label cards or our Nordstrom VISA credit cards receive 
Nordstrom Notes®. These Nordstrom Notes can be redeemed for goods or services in our stores. We estimate the net cost of the Nordstrom Notes 
that will be issued and redeemed and record this cost as rewards points are accumulated. In addition to this long-standing benefit, in 2007 we 
launched an enhanced loyalty program, Fashion Rewards®. Under this program, Nordstrom customers receive higher levels of cumulative benefits 
based on their annual spend. We record the cost of the loyalty program benefits for Nordstrom Notes and alterations in cost of sales given that we 
provide customers with products or services for these rewards. Other costs of the loyalty program, which primarily include shipping and fashion 
events, are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses. These expenses are recorded based on estimates of benefits expected to be 
accumulated and redeemed in relation to sales. 

Vendor Allowances 
We receive allowances from merchandise vendors for cosmetic selling expenses, purchase price adjustments, cooperative advertising programs and 
vendor sponsored contests. Allowances for cosmetic selling expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction to 
the related cost when incurred. Purchase price adjustments are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales at the point they have been earned and the 
related merchandise has been sold. Allowances for cooperative advertising and promotion programs and vendor sponsored contests are recorded in 
cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs and selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction to the related cost when 
incurred. Any allowances in excess of actual costs incurred that are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses are recorded as a 
reduction to cost of sales. The following table shows vendor allowances earned during the year: 

Fiscal year 
Cosmetic selling expenses 
Purchase price adjustments 
Cooperative advertising and promotion 
Vendor sponsored contests 
Total vendor allowances 

Allowances were recorded in our consolidated statements of earnings as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Total vendor allowances 

2008 
$112 
96 
65 
3 
$276 

2008 
$157 
119 
$276 

2007 
$120 
86 
61 
2 
$269 

2007 
$146 
123 
$269 

2006 
$121 
70 
67 
3 
$261 

2006 
$138 
123 
$261 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents approximate fair value. See Note 6: Debt and Credit Facilities for the fair value of our long-term debt. 

Derivatives Policy 
We periodically enter into foreign currency purchase orders denominated in Euros for apparel, accessories and shoes. We use forward contracts to 
hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency prices. These forward contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, therefore any 
changes in the fair value of financial contracts are reflected in the statement of earnings. The notional amounts of our foreign currency forward 
contracts at the contract rates were $3 and $10 at the end of 2008 and 2007. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). Under 
SFAS 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date 
fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS 141(R) will change the accounting treatment for certain specific acquisition-related items, including 
expensing acquisition-related costs as incurred, valuing noncontrolling interests (minority interests) at fair value at the acquisition date, and 
expensing restructuring costs associated with an acquired business. SFAS 141(R) also includes a substantial number of new disclosure requirements. 
SFAS 141(R) is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. Early adoption is not 
permitted. Generally, the effect of SFAS 141(R) will depend on the circumstances of any potential future acquisition. 

Also in December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial 
Statements  — an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for a noncontrolling interest 
(minority interest) in a subsidiary, provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of the deconsolidation of a subsidiary, and increases 
transparency through expanded disclosures. Specifically, SFAS 160 requires the recognition of a minority interest as equity in the consolidated financial 
statements and separate from the parent company’s equity. It also requires consolidated net earnings in the consolidated statement of earnings to 
include the amount of net earnings attributable to minority interest. This statement will be effective for Nordstrom as of the beginning of fiscal year 
2009. Early adoption is not permitted. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS 160 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, (“FSP FAS 157-2”), which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial 
assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least 
annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We are presently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 157 for our nonfinancial 
assets and nonfinancial liabilities and do not believe it will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. 

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — 
an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS 133 about an entity’s derivative instruments 
and hedging activities. This statement will be effective for Nordstrom as of the beginning of fiscal year 2009. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS 161 
will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

NOTE 2:  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 
The components of accounts receivable are as follows: 

Trade receivables: 
  Unrestricted 
  Restricted 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Trade receivables, net 
Other 
Accounts receivable, net 

January 31, 2009 

February 2, 2008 

$14 
2,005 
(138) 
1,881 
61 
  $1,942 

$18 
1,760 
(73) 
1,705 
83 
  $1,788 

The following table summarizes the restricted trade receivables: 

Private label card receivables 
Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables 
Restricted trade receivables 

January 31, 2009 
$636 
1,369 
$2,005 

February 2, 2008   
$630   
1,130   
$1,760   

The restricted trade receivables secure our Series 2007-1 Notes, the Series 2007-2 Notes and our two variable funding notes. The restricted trade 
receivables relate to substantially all of our Nordstrom private label card receivables and our Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables. 

The unrestricted trade receivables consist primarily of the remaining portion of our Nordstrom private label and Nordstrom VISA credit card 
receivables and accrued finance charges not yet allocated to customer accounts. 

Other accounts receivable consist primarily of credit card receivables due from third-party financial institutions and vendor claims. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  43 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 3:  LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT 
Land, buildings and equipment consist of the following: 

Land and land improvements 
Buildings and building improvements 
Leasehold improvements 
Store fixtures and equipment 
Software 
Construction in progress 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 
Land, buildings and equipment, net 

January 31, 2009 
$67 
847 
1,631 
2,214 
347 
222 
5,328 
(3,107) 
$2,221 

February 2, 2008 
$65 
842 
1,313 
1,995 
303 
391 
4,909 
(2,926) 
$1,983 

The total cost of buildings and equipment held under capital lease obligations was $28 at the end of both 2008 and 2007, with related accumulated 
amortization of $21 in 2008 and $20 in 2007. The amortization of capitalized leased buildings and equipment of $1 in both 2008 and 2007 was 
recorded in depreciation expense. 

NOTE 4:  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 
We provide a 401(k) and profit sharing plan for our employees. Our Board of Directors establishes our profit sharing contribution each year.  
The 401(k) component is funded by voluntary employee contributions and our matching contributions up to a fixed percentage of employee 
contributions. Our expense related to the profit sharing component and matching contributions to the 401(k) component totaled $39, $50  
and $73 in 2008, 2007 and 2006. 

NOTE 5:  INCOME TAXES 
We recorded a liability for uncertain tax benefits upon adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for 
Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”) as of February 4, 2007. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for 
2008 and 2007 is as follows: 

Fiscal Year 
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year 
Gross increase to tax positions in prior periods 
Gross decrease to tax positions in prior periods 
Gross increase to tax positions in current period 
Lapse of statute 
Settlements 
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year 

2008 
$27  
2 
(1) 
4 
(1) 
(3) 
$28 

2007 
$21 
5 
(1) 
3 
(1) 
- 
$27 

Unrecognized tax benefits related to federal, state and foreign tax positions may decrease by $13 by January 30, 2010, if years close and audits are 
completed during 2009. 

As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, $10 and $9 of the ending gross unrecognized tax benefit balance relates to deferred items which, if 
recognized, would not impact the effective tax rate. 

Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are classified as a component of income tax expense. During 2008 and 2007, our income tax 
expense included $2 and $3 of tax-related interest and penalties. At the end of 2008 and 2007, our liability for interest and penalties was $6 and $4. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

We file income tax returns in federal and various state and local jurisdictions. Prior to 2008, we filed returns in France and other foreign 
jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2002. 
During 2008, the IRS completed its routine examinations of our federal filings for the years 2002 through 2006. As a result of adjustments identified 
in the IRS examinations and revisions of estimates, we increased our deferred tax assets, specifically related to land, buildings and equipment which 
also resulted in a reduction in our effective tax rate. Additionally, the federal tax returns for 2007 and 2008 are under concurrent year processing 
(accelerated audits), which are expected to be completed in 2009 and 2010. We also currently have an active examination in France for the years 
2001 through 2004, related to our Façonnable business which we sold in 2007.  

Income tax expense consists of the following: 

Fiscal year 
Current income taxes: 

Federal 

  State and local 
Total current income tax expense 
Deferred income taxes: 
  Current 
  Non-current 
Total deferred income tax benefit 
Total income tax expense 

2008 

$244  
39  
283 

(29) 
(7) 
(36) 
$247 

2007 

$435  
65  
500 

(24) 
(18) 
(42) 
$458 

2006 

$423 
63 
486 

(10) 
(48) 
(58) 
$428 

A reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate on earnings before income taxes is as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Statutory rate 
State and local income taxes, net of federal  

income taxes 

Deferred tax adjustment 
Permanent differences 
Other, net 
Effective tax rate 

2008 
35.0% 

3.4 
(3.2) 
2.0 
0.9 
38.1% 

2007 
35.0% 

3.4 
- 
- 
0.6 
39.0% 

2006 
35.0% 

3.2 
- 
- 
0.5 
38.7% 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between amounts recorded for financial reporting purposes and amounts 
used for tax purposes. The major components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: 

Compensation and benefits accruals 
Accrued expenses 
Merchandise inventories 
Land, buildings and equipment basis and  
  depreciation differences 
Gift cards and gift certificates 
Loyalty reward certificates 
Allowance on accounts receivables 
Federal benefit of state taxes 
Other 
Total deferred tax assets 
Land, buildings and equipment basis and  
  depreciation differences 
Total deferred tax liabilities 
Net deferred tax assets 

January 31, 2009 
$99 
63 
26 

February 2, 2008 
$105 
56 
28 

7 
17 
11 
54 
10 
2 
289 

 – 
 – 
$289 

- 
15 
10 
28 
9 
13 
264 

(4) 
(4) 
$260 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  45 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 6:  DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES 
We hold both secured and unsecured debt. The primary collateral for our secured debt is our Nordstrom private label card and Nordstrom VISA credit 
card receivables. A summary of long-term debt is as follows: 

January 31, 2009 

February 2, 2008 

Secured 
Series 2007-1 Class A Notes, 4.92%, due April 2010 
Series 2007-1 Class B Notes, 5.02%, due April 2010 
Series 2007-2 Class A Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.06%  
     per year, due April 2012 
Series 2007-2 Class B Notes, one-month LIBOR plus 0.18% 
     per year, due April 2012 
Mortgage payable, 7.68%, due April 2020 
Other 

Unsecured 
Senior notes, 5.625%, due January 2009 
Senior notes, 6.25%, due January 2018, net of unamortized discount 
Senior debentures, 6.95%, due March 2028 
Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of unamortized discount 
Other 

Total long-term debt 
Less: current portion 
Total due beyond one year 

$326 
24 

454 

46 
63 
17 
930 

– 
646 
300 
343 
19 
1,308 

2,238 
(24) 
$2,214 

$326 
24 

454 

46 
67 
19 
936 

250 
646 
300 
342 
23 
1,561 

2,497 
(261) 
$2,236 

Both the Series 2007-1 Class A & B Notes and the Series 2007-2 Class A & B Notes are secured by substantially all of the Nordstrom private label card 
receivables and a 90% interest in the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables.  

Our mortgage payable is secured by an office building which had a net book value of $82 at the end of 2008. 

Other secured and unsecured debt consists primarily of capital lease obligations and liabilities related to the acquisition of Jeffrey. 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, we retired our $250 in 5.625% senior notes. The notes were paid using commercial paper borrowings. 

The fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues, was $1,750 and $2,514 
at the end of 2008 and 2007. 

Required principal payments on long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
Thereafter 

The components of interest expense, net are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Interest expense on long-term debt and short-term  
  borrowings  
Less: 

Interest income 
  Capitalized interest 
Interest expense, net 

2008 

$145 

(3) 
(11) 
$131 

2007 

$102 

(16) 
(12) 
$74 

46 

$23 
355 
5 
505 
5 
1,332 

2006 

$63 

(15) 
(5) 
$43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

As of January 31, 2009, we had total short-term borrowing capacity for general corporate purposes of $950, of which we have borrowings 
outstanding of $275. Of the total capacity, we have $650 under our commercial paper program, which is backed by our unsecured line of credit.  
As of January 31, 2009, we had $275 in outstanding issuances of commercial paper. We paid a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1%  
for these issuances, which had a term of three days. As of February 2, 2008, we had no outstanding issuances of commercial paper. As of January 31, 
2009 and February 2, 2008, we had no outstanding borrowings under our line of credit. The remaining $300 in short-term capacity as of January 31, 
2009 was available under a Variable Funding Note facility (“2007-A VFN”). As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, we had no outstanding 
issuances against this facility. 

During 2008, we increased our short-term borrowing capacity, by exercising the $150 accordion feature on our revolving credit facility.  
The accordion feature allowed us to increase our existing $500 unsecured line of credit to $650. In conjunction with the increase of our unsecured 
line of credit, we also increased our $500 commercial paper program to $650. 

Our short-term borrowing facilities include restrictive covenants. Our commercial paper program allows us to use the proceeds to fund share 
repurchases as well as operating cash requirements. Under the terms of the commercial paper agreement, we pay a rate of interest based on, 
among other factors, the maturity of the issuance and market conditions. The issuance of commercial paper has the effect, while it is outstanding,  
of reducing the borrowing capacity under the line of credit by an amount equal to the principal amount of the commercial paper. The unsecured  
line of credit expires in November 2010 and requires that we maintain a leverage ratio not greater than approximately four times adjusted debt to 
earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent (“EBITDAR”).  As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008 we were in 
compliance with this covenant. 

Our 2007-A VFN is backed by substantially all of the Nordstrom private label card receivables and a 90% interest in the Nordstrom VISA credit card 
receivables with a commitment of $300. Borrowings under the facility incur interest based upon the cost of commercial paper issued by the third-
party bank conduit plus specified fees. We pay a commitment fee for the note based on the size of commitment and the amount of borrowings 
outstanding. The facility matures November 2009 and can be cancelled if our debt ratings fall below Standard and Poor’s BB+ rating or Moody’s Ba1 
rating. As of March 20, 2009, our rating by Standard and Poor’s was A-, four grades above BB+, and by Moody’s was Baa2, two grades above Ba1. 

Our wholly owned federal savings bank, Nordstrom fsb, also maintains a variable funding facility with a short-term credit capacity of $100. This 
facility is backed by the remaining 10% interest in the Nordstrom VISA credit card receivables and is available, if needed, to provide liquidity support 
to Nordstrom fsb. As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, Nordstrom fsb had no outstanding borrowings under this facility. Borrowings under 
the facility incur interest based upon the cost of commercial paper issued by the third-party bank conduit plus specified fees. 

NOTE 7:  LEASES 
Future minimum lease payments as of January 31, 2009 are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
Thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 
Less amount representing interest 
Present value of net minimum lease payments 

Capital Leases 
$3 
2 
2 
2 
2 
9 
20 
(7) 
$13 

Operating Leases 
$79 
82 
78 
64 
58 
335 
$696 

Rent expense for 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:  

Fiscal year 
Minimum rent: 
  Store locations 
  Offices, warehouses and equipment 
Percentage rent — store locations 
Property incentives — store locations 
Total rent expense 

2008 

2007 

2006 

$63 
13 
9 
(48) 
$37 

$67 
14 
14 
(47)  
$48 

$67 
15 
12 
(46) 
$48 

The rent expense above does not include common area maintenance costs of $19 in both 2008 and 2007 and $16 in 2006.

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  47 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 8:  SELF INSURANCE 
We retain a portion of the risk for certain losses related to health and welfare, workers’ compensation and general liability claims. Liabilities 
associated with these losses include estimates of both losses reported and losses incurred but not yet reported. We estimate our ultimate cost 
based on analysis of historical data and independent actuarial estimates. 

•  Health and Welfare – We are self insured for the majority of our health and welfare coverage and we do not use stop-loss coverage. Participants 

contribute to the cost of their coverage through both premiums and out of pocket expenses and are subject to certain plan limits and deductibles. 
Our health and welfare reserve was $16 and $14 at the end of 2008 and 2007. 

•  Workers’ Compensation – We have a retention per claim of $1 or less and no policy limits. Our workers’ compensation reserve was $53 at the end 

of both 2008 and 2007 and our expense was $19, $15 and $21 in 2008, 2007 and 2006. 

•  General Liability – Our General Liability encompasses two types of losses – Employment Practices Liability and Commercial General Liability. We 

have a retention per claim of $1 or less and a policy limit up to $25 and $150, respectively. Our general liability insurance reserve was $11 at the end 
of 2008 and $10 at the end 2007. 

NOTE 9:  POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS 
We have an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which provides retirement benefits to certain officers and select employees. 
The SERP has different benefit levels depending on the participant’s role in the company. As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, there were 33 
and 38 officers and select employees eligible for SERP benefits. This plan is non-qualified and does not have a minimum funding requirement. 

Effective February 3, 2007, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and 
Other Postretirement Plans  (“SFAS 158”). The impact of the adoption of SFAS 158 is reflected within our consolidated financial statements as of 
February 3, 2007. SFAS 158 requires the recognition of a plan’s overfunded or underfunded status as an asset or liability in the consolidated balance 
sheet and the recognition of changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. 

The following table reflects the effects of the adoption of SFAS 158 on our consolidated balance sheet as of February 3, 2007: 

Other assets 
Total assets 
Other liabilities 
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net 
Total shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

Before Application 
 of Statement 158 
$185 
4,820 
228 
1 
2,179 
$4,820 

Adjustments 
$2 
2 
12 
(10) 
(10) 
$2 

  After Application 
 of Statement 158 
$187 
4,822 
240 
(9) 
2,169 
$4,822 

Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (pre-tax) included prior service 
cost of $(2) and $(3) and accumulated loss of $(9) and $(28) at the end of 2008 and 2007.  

The change in benefit obligation and plan assets for 2008 and 2007 are as follows: 

Change in benefit obligation: 
  Benefit obligation at beginning of year 

  Participant service cost 

Interest cost 
  Benefits paid 
  Actuarial gain 

  Benefit obligation at end of year 
Change in plan assets: 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 

Employer contribution 

  Distributions 

  Fair value of plan assets at end of year 
  Underfunded status 

January 31, 2009 

February 2, 2008 

$95 
3 
7 
(4) 
(16) 
$85 

— 
$4 
(4) 
— 
$(85) 

$98 
3 
6 
(4) 
(8) 
$95 

— 
$4 
(4) 
— 
$(95) 

The accumulated benefit obligation was $81 at January 31, 2009 and $86 at February 2, 2008. 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Amounts recognized as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: 

Current liabilities 
Noncurrent liabilities 
Net amount recognized 

The components of SERP expense are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Participant service cost 
Interest cost 
Amortization of net loss 
Amortization of prior service cost 
Total expense 

January 31, 2009 
$5 
80 
$85 

February 2, 2008 
$5 
90 
$95 

2008 
$2 
6 
2 
1 
$11 

2007 
$2 
6 
3 
1 
$12 

2006 
$2 
6 
3 
1 
$12 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Assumption percentages used to determine  

benefit obligation: 
  Discount rate 
  Rate of compensation increase 

Assumption percentages used to determine net 
  periodic benefit cost: 
  Discount rate 
  Rate of compensation increase 

Measurement date 

2008 

2007 

2006 

6.95% 
3.00% 

6.35% 
3.00% 

6.00% 
4.00% 

6.35% 
3.00% 
1/31/09 

6.00% 
4.00% 
10/31/07 

6.00% 
4.00% 
10/31/06 

In accordance with SFAS 158, during 2008, we recognized a one-time adjustment of ($3) to retained earnings in shareholders’ equity as a result of 
changing our benefit obligation measurement date from October 31 to our fiscal year-end.  

In 2008, the methodology for selecting the discount rate was to match the plan’s cash flows to that of a theoretical bond portfolio yield curve that 
provides the equivalent yields on zero-coupon, non-callable bonds with an AA rating or better by Moody’s and have at least $250 of outstanding issue for 
each maturity. In 2007, we used a discount rate that was determined by constructing a hypothetical bond portfolio based on bonds available on  
October 31, 2007 rated AA or better by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. The discount rate changed from 6.35% in 2007 to 6.95% in 2008 to reflect 
the current interest rate environment. 

In 2008, we updated the post-retirement mortality table to better reflect plan experience. In addition, we updated our assumptions relating to bonus 
payments, profit sharing contribution and salary growth. 

As of January 31, 2009, the expected future benefit payments based upon the assumptions described above and including benefits attributable  
to future employee service for the following periods are as follows: 

Fiscal year 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014-2018 

$5 
5 
5 
6 
6 
37 

In 2009, we expect less than $1 of costs currently in accumulated other comprehensive earnings to be recognized as components of net periodic 
benefit cost. We expect to make contributions to the plan of $5.

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  49 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 10:  SALE OF FAÇONNABLE 
During the third quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of our Façonnable business in exchange for cash of $216, net of transaction costs. As part of 
this transaction, goodwill of $28, acquired tradename of $84, and foreign currency translation of $16 were removed from our consolidated balance 
sheet and we recorded a gain of $34. Upon the closing of this transaction, we entered into a Transition Services Agreement, whereby we will 
continue to provide certain back office functions related to the Façonnable U.S. wholesale business for a limited amount of time as part of a 
transition period.  

NOTE 11:  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 
We are involved in routine claims, proceedings and litigation arising in the normal course of our business. We do not believe any such claim, 
proceeding or litigation, either alone or in aggregate, will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity. Our 
estimated total purchase obligations, capital expenditure contractual commitments and inventory purchase orders were $1,059 as of January 31, 
2009. In connection with the purchase of foreign merchandise, we have outstanding import letters of credit totaling $5 as of January 31, 2009. 

NOTE 12:  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS 

Share Repurchase Program 

2008 SHARE REPURCHASES 
During 2008 we repurchased 6.9 shares for $238 at an average price of $34.29. Although our share repurchase program will not expire until August 
2009, we suspended the program in September 2008. We may resume the program in the future if economic conditions improve. As of January 31, 
2009, we had $1,126 in remaining capacity under our share repurchase program. The actual amount and timing of future share repurchases will be 
subject to market conditions and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules. 

2007 SHARE REPURCHASES 
In August 2007, our Board of Directors authorized a $1,500 share repurchase program and in November 2007 authorized an additional $1,000 for 
share repurchases. 

During 2007, we repurchased 39.1 shares for $1,728 at an average price per share of $44.17, including $300 repurchased as part of an accelerated 
share repurchase program. We repurchased 5.4 shares of our common stock on May 23, 2007 at $55.17 per share and in June 2007, we received 0.4 
shares at no additional cost, based on the volume weighted average price of our common stock from June 1, 2007 to June 26, 2007. This resulted in 
an average price per share of $51.69 for the accelerated share repurchase as a whole. 

2006 SHARE REPURCHASES 
At the beginning of 2006, we had $213 remaining from a program authorized by our Board of Directors in February 2005. In 2006, our Board of 
Directors authorized an additional $1,000 of share repurchases. In 2006, we repurchased 16.5 shares for $621 at an average price of $37.57 per share. 

Dividends 
In 2008, we paid dividends of $0.64 per share. We paid dividends of $0.54 and $0.42 in 2007 and 2006.

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

Stock Compensation Plans 
We currently grant stock options, performance share units and common shares under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. 

The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense: 

 Fiscal year 
 Stock options 
 Employee stock purchase plan 
 Performance share units 
 Other 
 Total stock-based compensation expense before income tax benefit 
 Income tax benefit 
 Total stock- based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit 

2008   
$24   
2 
– 
2 
28 
(10) 
$18   

2007 
$23 
2 
(1) 
2 
26 
(9) 
$17 

2006 
$27 
2 
7 
1 
37 
(13) 
$24 

The stock-based compensation expense before income tax benefit was recorded in our consolidated statements of earnings as follows: 

  Fiscal year 
  Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs 
  Selling, general and administrative expenses 
  Total stock- based compensation expense before income tax benefit  

2008 
$10 
18 
$28 

2007 
$10 
16 
$26 

2006 
          $12 
25 
$37 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of the 
compensation cost recognized for those awards to be classified as financing cash inflows rather than operating cash inflows. This amount is shown 
as “Excess tax benefit from stock-based payments” in the consolidated statement of cash flows and was $4, $26 and $38 in 2008, 2007 and 2006. 

STOCK OPTIONS 
We used the following assumptions to estimate the fair value for stock options at grant date:   

Fiscal year 
Risk-free interest rate 
Volatility 
Dividend yield 
Expected life in years 

2008 
2.0% – 4.3% 
45.0% 
1.3% 
5.5 

2007 
4.6% – 4.7% 
35.0% 
1.0% 
5.7 

2006 
  4.9% – 5.1% 
37.0% 
1.0% 
5.4 

The weighted average fair value per option at the grant date was $15, $20 and $16 in 2008, 2007 and 2006. The following describes the significant 
assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Risk-free interest rate: The risk-free interest rate represents the yield on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon securities that mature over the 10-year life 
of the stock options. 

Expected volatility: The expected volatility is based on a combination of the historical volatility of our common stock and the implied volatility 
of exchange traded options for our common stock. 

Expected dividend yield: The expected dividend yield is our forecasted dividend yield for the next ten years.  

Expected life in years: The expected life represents the estimated period of time until option exercise. The expected term of options granted 
was derived from the output of the Binomial Lattice option valuation model and was based on our historical exercise behavior taking into 
consideration the contractual term of the option and our employees’ expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior.  

In 2008 and 2007, stock option awards to employees were approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors and their exercise 
price was set at $38.02 and $53.63, respectively, the closing price of our common stock on February 28, 2008 and March 1, 2007 (the date of grant).  
In 2006, stock option awards to employees were approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors and their exercise price was 
set at $40.27, the closing price of our common stock on the Committee meeting date. The stock option awards provide recipients with the 
opportunity for financial rewards when our stock price increases. The awards are determined based upon a percentage of the recipients’ base salary 
and the fair value of the stock options. In 2008, we awarded stock options to 1,230 employees compared to 1,195 and 1,236 employees in the same 
periods in 2007 and 2006.

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  51 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

As of January 31, 2009, we have options outstanding under two stock option plans (collectively, the “Nordstrom, Inc. Plans”). Options vest  
over periods ranging from four to eight years, and expire ten years after the date of grant. We recognize stock-based compensation expense on  
a straight–line basis over the requisite service period. A summary of the stock option activity for 2008 under the Nordstrom, Inc. Plans is  
presented below: 

Fiscal Year 

Outstanding, beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Cancelled 
Outstanding, end of year 
Options exercisable at end of year 
Options vested or expected to vest at end of year 

Shares 

                  10.9 
                    2.2 
                     (0.8) 
                     (0.5) 
                  11.8 
                    7.5 
                    11.1 

Weighted–
Average 
Exercise Price 
          $25 
                    38 
                    17 
                    40 
          $27 
          $19 
          $26 

  2008 

Weighted-Average 
Remaining Contractual 
Life (Years) 

Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Value   

                              6 
                              4 
                              6 

$9 
$9 
$9 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $14, $79 and $111. The total fair value of stock options vested during 
fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $24, $24 and $30. As of January 31, 2009, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to 
nonvested stock options was $37, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 30 months. 

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS 
We grant performance share units to executive officers as one of the ways to align compensation with shareholder interests. Performance share 
units are payable in either cash or stock as elected by the employee; therefore they are classified as a liability award in accordance with Statement 
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Performance share units vest after a three-year period only when our total 
shareholder return (reflecting daily stock price appreciation and compound reinvestment of dividends) is positive and outperforms companies in a 
defined group of direct competitors determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. The percentage of units that are earned 
depends on our relative position at the end of the vesting period and can range from 0% to 125% of the number of units granted.  

The liability is remeasured and the appropriate earnings adjustment is taken at each fiscal quarter-end during the vesting period. The performance 
share unit liability is remeasured using the estimated vesting percentage multiplied by the closing market price of our common stock on the current 
period-end date and is pro-rated based on the amount of time passed in the vesting period. The price used to issue stock or cash for the 
performance share units upon vesting is the closing market price of our common stock on the vest date. 

As of January 31, 2009, we had no liabilities related to performance share units. As of February 2, 2008, our liabilities included $3 for performance 
share units. As of January 31, 2009, we did not have any unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for unvested performance share units as 
we had a negative total shareholder return for all outstanding periods. This position may change before the end of the vesting period for the 
unvested performance share units. At February 2, 2008, 113,743 units were unvested. During the year ended January 31, 2009, 79,504 units were 
granted, 57,006 units were vested but unearned and 18,852 units were cancelled, resulting in an ending balance of 117,389 unvested units as of 
January 31, 2009. 

The following table summarizes the information for performance share units that vested during the period: 

  Fiscal Year 
  Number of performance share units earned1 
  Total fair value of performance share units earned 
  Total amount of performance share units settled or to be settled for cash 

2008 
– 
– 
– 

2007 
191,794 
$12 
$3 

2006 
216,865 
$11 
$6 

1In 2008, 57,006 units were vested, but unearned as the units had a negative total shareholder return as of January 31, 2009 (vest date). 

NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN 
The Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of stock awards to our nonemployee directors. These awards may be deferred 
or issued in the form of restricted or unrestricted stock, nonqualified stock options or stock appreciation rights. In 2008, we deferred shares with a 
total expense of $1. As of January 31, 2009, we had 0.7 remaining shares available for issuance. 

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 
We offer an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) as a benefit to our employees. Employees may make payroll deductions of up to ten percent of 
their base and bonus compensation. At the end of each six-month offering period, participants may purchase shares of our common stock at 90% of 
the fair market value on the last day of each offer period. Beginning in 2006, we recorded compensation expense over the purchase period at the 
fair value of the ESPP at the end of each reporting period. We issued 0.6 shares under the ESPP during the year ended January 31, 2009. As of 
January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, we had current liabilities of $5 and $6, respectively, for future purchase of shares under the ESPP.

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 13:  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS  
The following table shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax: 

Foreign currency translation 
Unrecognized loss on postretirement benefit 
  obligations, prior to adoption of SFAS 158 
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158 
Unrecognized loss on postretirement benefit 
  obligations, subsequent to adoption of SFAS 158 
Fair value adjustment to investment in asset  
  backed securities 
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss  

  January 31, 2009 
— 

February 2, 2008 
- 

February 3, 2007 
$15 

— 
— 

$(10) 

— 
$(10) 

- 
- 

$(22) 

- 
$(22) 

(16) 
(13) 

— 

5 
$(9) 

Included in our adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158 in 2006 are our SERP and our employee retiree medical plan. The adoption of SFAS 158 had a 
$(3) impact (net of tax of $2) to accumulated other comprehensive earnings for the retiree medical plan. 

NOTE 14:  EARNINGS PER SHARE 
Earnings per basic share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Earnings per diluted share 
uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year plus dilutive common stock equivalents, primarily stock options 
and performance share units. 

The computation of earnings per share is as follows: 

Fiscal year 
Net earnings 

2008 
$401 

2007 
$715 

Basic shares 
Dilutive effect of stock options and performance  

                 216.6 

                   244.8     

share units 
Diluted shares 

Earnings per basic share 
Earnings per diluted share 

                      2.6 
                 219.2 

                        4.0 
                   248.8 

$1.85 
$1.83 

$2.92 
$2.88 

2006 
$678 

260.7 

5.0 
265.7 

$2.60 
$2.55 

Options and other equity instruments totaling 4.9 shares in 2008, 2.7 shares in 2007 and 1.9 shares in 2006 were excluded from earnings per diluted 
share because their impact was anti-dilutive.  

Since the beginning of 2006, 6.9 shares have been issued upon the exercise of stock options; we repurchased a total of 62.5 shares during the three 
fiscal years ended January 31, 2009. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  53 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 15:  SEGMENT REPORTING 
We offer three main channels through which our customers can shop: full-line and Rack retail stores and Nordstrom Direct (online and catalog). Our 
goal is to create an integrated, consistent merchandise offering for our customers regardless of which channel they choose. These three channels 
meet the aggregation criteria set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and 
Related Information  (“SFAS 131”) with the exception of “distribution method.” Nordstrom Direct sells merchandise via our online store and the 
catalog as opposed to in a retail store. As such, we aggregate our full-line and Rack stores into the RRetail  Stores segment and report DD irect as a 
separate segment.  

The CCredit segment earns finance charges and late fee income through operation of the Nordstrom private label and Nordstrom VISA credit cards.  

The OOther segment includes our product development group, which coordinates the design and production of private label merchandise sold in our 
retail stores, and our distribution network. This segment also includes our corporate center operations. During the time that we owned it, this 
segment also included the operations of our Façonnable business. 

The segment information for 2007 and 2006 has been reclassified from our previous disclosures to reflect how we currently view our business. 
These changes include the 2008 view of interest expense between our Credit and Other segments and the 2008 view of our sales return reserve 
between our Direct and Other segments. These changes do not impact the consolidated statements of earnings.  

The following table summarizes net sales by merchandise category: 

Fiscal year 
Women’s apparel 
Shoes 
Men’s apparel 
Women’s accessories 
Cosmetics  
Children’s apparel 
Other 
Total 

2008 
$2,812 
1,721 
1,362 
963 
921 
269 
224 
$8,272 

The following table presents our sales by merchandise category as a percentage of net sales: 

Fiscal year 
Women’s apparel 
Shoes 
Men’s apparel 
Women’s accessories 
Cosmetics  
Children’s apparel 
Other 
Total 

2008 
34% 
21% 
16% 
12% 
11% 
3% 
3% 
100% 

2007 
$3,063 
1,784 
1,571 
941 
950 
285 
234 
$8,828 

2007 
35% 
20% 
18% 
11% 
11% 
3% 
2% 
100% 

2006 
$2,963 
1,731 
1,561 
848 
942 
286 
230 
$8,561 

2006 
35% 
20% 
18% 
10% 
11% 
3% 
3% 
100% 

In general, we use the same measurements to compute earnings before income taxes for reportable segments as we do for the consolidated 
company. However, redemptions of our Nordstrom Notes® are included in net sales for our Retail Stores segment. The sales amount in our Other 
segment includes an entry to eliminate these transactions from our consolidated net sales. There is no impact to consolidated earnings before 
income taxes for this adjustment. In addition, our sales return reserve and other corporate adjustments are recorded in the Other segment. Other 
than described above, the accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting 
policies in Note 1. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

The following tables set forth the information for our reportable segments: 

Fiscal year 2008 
Net sales (a) 
Net sales (decrease) increase 
Credit card revenue 
Other income and expense, net 
Interest expense, net (b) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Earnings before income taxes 
Earnings before income taxes 
  as a percentage of net sales 
Goodwill 
Assets (c) 
Capital expenditures 

Fiscal year 2007 
Net sales (a) 
Net sales increase 
Credit card revenue 
Other income and expense, net 
Interest expense, net (b) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Earnings before income taxes 
Earnings before income taxes 
  as a percentage of net sales 
Goodwill 
Assets (c) 
Capital expenditures 

Fiscal year 2006 
Net sales (a) 
Net sales increase 
Credit card revenue 
Other income and expense, net 
Interest expense, net (b) 
Depreciation and amortization 
Earnings before income taxes 
Earnings before income taxes 
  as a percentage of net sales 
Goodwill 
Acquired tradename 
Assets (c) 
Capital expenditures 

Retail 
Stores 
$7,674 
     (5.9%) 
— 
(5) 
— 
259 
884 

11.5% 
38 
2,740 
529 

Retail 
Stores 
$8,159 
3.1% 
— 
(1) 
— 
228 
1,256 

15.4% 
38 
2,555 
431 

Retail 
Stores 
$7,912 
9.9% 
— 
(1) 
— 
237 
1,204 

15.2% 
8 
— 
2,306 
224 

Direct 
$698 
8.4% 
— 
— 
— 
8 
187 

26.8% 
15 
123 
15 

Direct 
$644 
17.9% 
— 
— 
— 
3 
165 

25.6% 
15 
133 
35 

Direct 
$546 
24.7% 
— 
— 
— 
3 
134 

24.5% 
16 
— 
105 
3 

Credit 
— 
N/A 
302 
1 
                  (50) 
1 
(72) 

N/A 
— 
1,963 
2 

Credit 
— 
N/A 
253 
(3) 
  (64) 
1 
(38) 

N/A 
— 
1,783 
3 

Credit 
- 
N/A 
105 
109 
(37) 
1 
47 

N/A 
- 
- 
1,063 
1 

Other 
$(100) 
N/A 
(1) 
13 
(81) 
34 
(351) 

N/A 
— 
835 
17 

Other 
$25 
N/A 
(1) 
23 
(10) 
37 
(210) 

N/A 
— 
1,129 
32 

Other 
$103 
N/A 
- 
26 
(6) 
44 
(279) 

N/A 
28 
84 
1,348 
36 

Total 
$8,272 
(6.3%) 
301 
9 
(131) 
302 
648 

7.8% 
53 
5,661 
563 

Total 
$8,828 
3.1% 
252 
19 
(74) 
269 
1,173 

13.3% 
53 
5,600 
501 

Total 
$8,561 
10.8% 
105 
134 
(43) 
285 
1,106 

12.9% 
52 
84 
4,822 
264 

(a)  Net sales in Other include foreign sales of $0, $62 and $104 for 2008, 2007 and 2006. 
(b)  Interest income of $2, $14 and $13 for 2008, 2007 and 2006 is recorded in our Other segment as an offset to interest expense, net. 
(c)  Assets in Other include foreign assets of $212 at the end of 2006. There were no material foreign assets at the end of 2008 or 2007. Assets in Other also include unallocated assets in  

 corporate headquarters, consisting primarily of cash, land, buildings and equipment, and deferred tax assets. 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  55 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
Dollar and share amounts in millions except per share and per option amounts 

NOTE 16:  SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) 

Fiscal year 2008 
Net sales 
Same-store sales  
  percentage change 
Credit card revenues 
Gross profit1 
Selling, general and administrative expenses: 
  Retail stores, direct and other segments 
  Credit segment 
Other income and expense, net 
Earnings before income taxes 
Net earnings 
Net earnings as a percentage of 
  net sales 
Earnings per basic share 
Earnings per diluted share 

Fiscal year 2007 
Net sales 
Same-store sales  
  percentage change 
Credit card revenues 
Gross profit1 
Selling, general and administrative expenses: 
  Retail stores, direct and other segments 
  Credit segment 
Other income and expense, net 
Earnings before income taxes 
Net earnings 
Net earnings as a percentage of 
  net sales 
Earnings per basic share 
Earnings per diluted share 

  1st Quarter 
  $1,879 

  2nd Quarter 
$2,287 

  3rd Quarter 
$1,805 

  4th Quarter 
  $2,301 

Total 
  $8,272 

(6.5%) 
70 
700 

494 
51 
2 
196 
119 

6.3% 
  $0.54 
  $0.54 

(6.0%) 
72 
799 

547 
57 
2 
235 
143 

6.3% 
$0.66 
$0.65 

(11.1%) 
74 
620 

490 
77 
— 
94 
71 

3.9% 
$0.33 
$0.33 

(12.5%) 
85 
736 

580 
90 
5 
123 
68 

3.0% 
$0.32 
$0.31 

(9.0%) 
301 
2,855 

2,111 
275 
9 
648 
401 

4.8% 
$1.85 
$1.83 

  1st Quarter 
  $1,954 

  2nd Quarter 
$2,390 

  3rd Quarter 
$1,970 

  4th Quarter 
  $2,514 

Total 
  $8,828 

9.5% 
27 
739 

502 
32 
29 
254 
157 

8.0% 
$0.61 
$0.60 

5.9% 
73 
876 

587 
49 
(3) 
293 
180 

7.6% 
$0.72 
$0.71 

2.2% 
75 
742 

509 
44 
(6) 
272 
166 

8.4% 
$0.69 
$0.68 

(0.7%) 
77 
945 

585 
52 
(1) 
354 
212 

8.4% 
$0.93 
$0.92 

3.9% 
252 
3,302 

2,183 
177 
19 
1,173 
715 

8.1% 
  $2.92 
  $2.88 

1Gross profit is calculated as net sales less cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs. 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. 

None. 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.  

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the 
participation of management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, of the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, 
our President and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and 
procedures were effective in the timely and accurate recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of material financial and non-financial 
information within the time periods specified within the Commission’s rules and forms. Our President and Chief Financial Officer also concluded that 
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under 
the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely 
discussions regarding required disclosure. 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during  
our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over 
financial reporting. 

The following information required under this item is filed as part of this report: 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Page  
31 
32 

Item 9B. Other Information. 

None. 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. 

PART III 

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: 

Executive Officers 
Election of Directors  
Board Committees 
Director Nominating Process 
Web site Access to Corporate Governance Documents 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 
Corporate Governance 

The certifications of our President and Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are 
included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and were included as exhibits to each of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Our President 
certified to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on June 11, 2008 pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE’s listing standards, that he was not 
aware of any violation by the Company of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards as of that date. 

Item 11. Executive Compensation. 

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: 

Compensation of Executive Officers  
Compensation Committee Report  
Director Compensation 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  57 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters. 

The information required under this item is included in the following section of our Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 
Equity Compensation Plans 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. 

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: 

Election of Directors 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services. 

The information required under this item is included in the following section of our Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, 
which section is incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: 

Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. 

The following information required under this item is filed as part of this report: 

PART IV 

(a)1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

(a)2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

(a)3. EXHIBITS 

 Page  
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 

Page  
61 

Exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed with this report as set forth in the Index to Exhibits on pages 62 through 66 hereof.  

All other schedules and exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the information required has been given as 
part of this report.  

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on 
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

NORDSTROM, INC. 
(Registrant) 

/s/ 

  Michael G. Koppel 
Michael G. Koppel 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer) 

Date: March 20, 2009 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the 
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. 

Principal Financial Officer: 

Principal Executive Officer: 

/s/ 

Michael G. Koppel  /s/ 
Michael G. Koppel 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

Principal Accounting Officer: 

Blake W. Nordstrom 
Blake W. Nordstrom 
President 

/s/ 

Directors: 

/s/ 

/s/ 

/s/  

/s/   

/s/   

Date: March 20, 2009 

James A. Howell   
James A. Howell   
Vice President, Finance   

Phyllis J. Campbell  /s/  
Phyllis J. Campbell 
Director 

Robert G. Miller  /s/                 
Robert G. Miller 
Director 

Erik B. Nordstrom  /s/ 
Erik B. Nordstrom 
Director 

Philip G. Satre  /s/   
Philip G. Satre 
Director 

Alison A. Winter   
Alison A. Winter 
Director 

Enrique Hernandez, Jr. 
Enrique Hernandez, Jr. 
Chairman of the Board of Directors 

Blake W. Nordstrom 
Blake W. Nordstrom 
Director 

Peter E. Nordstrom 
Peter E. Nordstrom 
Director 

Robert D. Walter 
Robert D. Walter 
Director 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  59 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 033-18321, 333-63403, 333-40064, 333-40066, 333-79791, 333-101110, 
333-118756, and 333-146049 on Form S-8 and No.  333-147664 on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 20, 2009, relating to the consolidated financial 
statements and financial statement schedule of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of Nordstrom, Inc.’s internal control over 
financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nordstrom, Inc. for the year ended January 31, 2009.  

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Seattle, Washington 
March 20, 2009

60 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS 

(Dollars in millions) 

Column A   

Description 
Deducted from related consolidated balance sheet account 

Column B 

 Balance at beginning 
of period 

Column C 
        Additions 
Charged to costs 
  and expenses 

Column D 

Column E 

Deductions 

  Balance at end 
of period 

Allowance for doubtful accounts: 
Year ended: 

January 31, 2009 
February 2, 2008 
February 3, 2007 

Reserves  

Allowance for sales return, net: 
Year ended: 

January 31, 2009 
February 2, 2008 
February 3, 2007 

$73 
17 
18 

$56 
55 
51 

$173 

86 (A)   
17 

$108 (B) 
30 (B) 
18 (B) 

$1,051 
1,023 
894 

$1,037 (C) 
1,022 (C) 
890 (C) 

$138 
73 
17 

$70 
56 
55 

(A) These expenses do not include write-offs of $21 related to the one-time transition of our VISA portfolio to on-balance sheet, which were included in other income and expense, net. 
(B) Deductions consist of write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries.  
(C) Deductions consist of actual returns offset by the value of the merchandise returned and the sales commission reversed.  

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  61 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries 
Exhibit Index 

  3.1  Articles of Incorporation as amended and restated on February 21, 2007 

Exhibit 

  3.2  Bylaws, as amended and restated on November 19, 2008 

Method of Filing 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 23, 2007, Exhibit 3.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 24, 2008, Exhibit 3.1 

  4.1 

Indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, 
dated March 11, 1998 

Incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-47035, 
Exhibit 4.1 

  4.2 

Senior indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as 
trustee, dated January 13, 1999 

Incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-69281, 
Exhibit 4.3 

  4.3 

Form of Subordinated Indenture between Registrant and Norwest Bank 
Colorado, N.A., as trustee, dated January 13, 1999 

Incorporated by reference from Registration No. 333-69281, 
Exhibit 4.4 

  4.4 

  4.5 

Series 2007-1 Note purchase agreement, dated as of April 25, 2007, by  
and between Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II and J.P. Morgan 
Securities Inc. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as representative of the 
initial purchasers 

Series 2007-2 Note purchase agreement, dated as of April 25, 2007, by  
and between Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II and J.P. Morgan 
Securities Inc. and Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., as representative of the 
initial purchasers 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 1, 2007, Exhibit 4.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 1, 2007, Exhibit 4.2 

  4.6  Amended and Restated Master Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and 

between Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II and Wells Fargo Bank, 
National Association, as indenture trustee 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 4.1 

  4.7 

  4.8 

Series 2007-1 Indenture Supplement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and between 
Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as indenture trustee 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 4.2 

Series 2007-2 Indenture Supplement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and between 
Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as indenture trustee 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 4.3 

  4.9  Note purchase agreement, dated as of May 2, 2007, by and between Nordstrom 

Credit Card Receivables II LLC, Nordstrom fsb, Nordstrom Credit, Inc., Falcon 
Asset Securitization Company, LLC and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 5, 2007,  
Exhibit 4.6 

4.10 

Indenture Supplement, dated as of May 2, 2007, by and between Nordstrom 
Credit Card Master Note Trust II and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association 

4.11 

Form of 6.25% Note due January 2018 

4.12  Nordstrom 2007-A Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement 

10.1  Merchant Agreement dated August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom 

National Credit Bank 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 5, 2007,  
Exhibit 4.7 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on December 3, 2007, Exhibit 4.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 3, 2008,  
Exhibit 4.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1991,  
Exhibit 10.1 

10.2 

Investment Agreement dated October 8, 1984 between the Registrant and 
Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 

Incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 
10, Exhibit 10.1 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3 

1997 Nordstrom Stock Option Plan, amended and restated on  
February 16, 2000 

Exhibit 

10.4  Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between Registrant 

and Bancamerica Securities, Inc. 

10.5  Commercial Paper Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between Registrant and 

Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation 

10.6 

Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between 
Registrant and First Trust of New York, N.A. 

Method of Filing 
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 2, 2003, 
Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, 
Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, 
Exhibit 10.2 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1997, 
Exhibit 10.3 

10.7  Performance Undertaking dated December 4, 2001 between Registrant and  

Bank One, N.A. 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2002, Exhibit 10.38 

10.8  Promissory Note dated April 18, 2002 between 1700 Seventh, L.P. and New York 

Life Insurance Company 

10.9  Promissory Note dated April 18, 2002 between 1700 Seventh, L.P. and  

Life Investors Insurance Company of America 

10.10  Guaranty Agreement dated April 18, 2002 between Registrant, New York Life 
Insurance Company and Life Investors Insurance Company of America 

10.11  The 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan 

10.12  Nordstrom, Inc. Leadership Separation Plan (Effective March 1, 2005) 

10.13  Nordstrom, Inc. Executive Management Group Bonus Plan 

10.14  2004 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.15  Commitment of Nordstrom, Inc. to Nordstrom fsb dated June 17, 2004 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2002,  
Exhibit 10.2 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2002,  
Exhibit 10.3 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2002,  
Exhibit 10.4 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly  
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2002,  
Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2005, Exhibit 10.43 

Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s definitive proxy  
statement filed with the Commission on April 15, 2004 

Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s definitive proxy 
statement filed with the Commission on April 15, 2004 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2004, 
Exhibit 10.4 

10.16  Nordstrom fsb Segregated Earmarked Deposit Agreement and Security 
Agreement by and between Nordstrom fsb and Nordstrom, Inc. dated  
July 1, 2004 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2004, 
Exhibit 10.5 

10.17  Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated November 4, 2005, between 

Registrant and each of the initial lenders named therein as Lenders,  
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Syndication  
Agents, U.S. Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent and  
Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 29, 2005, 
Exhibit 10.1 

10.18  Press release dated August 21, 2007 announcing that its Board of  

Directors authorized a $1.5 billion share repurchase program 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on August 22, 2007, Exhibit 99.1 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  63 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.19  Press release dated November 19, 2007 announcing that its Board of  
Directors authorized a $1.0 billion share repurchase program 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 19, 2007, Exhibit 99.1 

Exhibit 

Method of Filing 

10.20  Director Compensation Summary 

10.21  2007 Stock Option Notice Award Agreement and Form of Notice 

10.22  2007 Performance Share Unit Award Agreement and Form of Notice 

10.23  Form of Restricted Stock Award under the 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock 

Incentive Plan 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007, 
Exhibit 10.54  

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 26, 2007, Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 26, 2007, Exhibit 10.2 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 4, 2007, 
Exhibit 10.1 

10.24  Nordstrom, Inc. 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan  

(2007 Amendment) 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 19, 2007, Exhibit 10.39 

10.25  Nordstrom Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (2007) 

10.26  Nordstrom Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (2007) 

10.27  Nordstrom, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (2007 Amendment) 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 19, 2007, Exhibit 10.40 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 19, 2007, Exhibit 10.41 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 19, 2007, Exhibit 10.44 

10.28  First Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank,  
dated March 1, 2000 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.32 

10.29  Second Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank,  
dated March 2, 2000 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.33 

10.30  Third Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank,  
dated October 1, 2001 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.34 

10.31  Fourth Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank, 
dated November 1, 2002 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.35 

10.32  Fifth Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank, 
dated November 1, 2005  

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.36 

10.33  Sixth Amendment to Merchant Agreement and Operating Procedures dated 

August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank, dated 
May 1, 2007 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.37 

10.34  Forms of Notice of 1999 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreements under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.35  Forms of Notice of 2001 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.38 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.40 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
10.36  Form of Notice of 2002 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.37  Form of Notice of 2003 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

10.38  Form of Notice of 2004 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

Method of Filing 
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.41 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.42 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.43 

10.39  Form of Notice of 2005 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on March 1, 2005, Exhibit 10.1 

10.40  Form of Notice of 2006 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.45 

10.41  Form of 2006 Performance Share Unit Notice and Performance Share Unit  

Award Agreement  

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 28, 2006, Exhibit 10.1 

10.42  Participation Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and between Nordstrom 

fsb, as seller and Nordstrom Credit, Inc., as purchaser 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.1 

10.43  Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and between Nordstrom fsb, 

and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.2 

10.44  Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 
2007, by and between Nordstrom Credit, Inc., as seller and Nordstrom Credit 
Card Receivables II LLC, as purchaser 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.3 

10.45  Amended and Restated Transfer and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 
2007, by and between Nordstrom Credit Card Receivables II LLC, as transferor, 
Nordstrom fsb, as servicer, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture 
trustee, and Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II, as issuer 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.4 

10.46  Second Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by 

and between Nordstrom Credit Card Receivables II LLC, as transferor, and 
Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustee 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.5 

10.47  Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2007, by 
and between Nordstrom Credit Card Master Note Trust II, as issuer, and 
Nordstrom fsb, as administrator 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on May 8, 2007, Exhibit 99.6 

10.48  Amendment 2006-1 to the Nordstrom, Inc. Leadership Separation Plan 

10.49  Notice of Exercise of Accordion on Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated 

May 13, 2008 

10.50  Nordstrom 401(k) Plan & Profit Sharing, amended and restated on  

August 27, 2008 

10.51  Nordstrom, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, amended and restated on 

August 27, 2008 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.56 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 1, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 1, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.2 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  65 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.52  Nordstrom, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (2008 Amendment) 

Exhibit 

10.53  Amendment 2008-1 to the Nordstrom Executive Deferred Compensation  

Plan (2007) 

10.54  Amendment 2008-1, Nordstrom, Inc. Leadership Separation Plan 

10.55  Nordstrom Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2008) 

10.56  2008 Stock Option Notice Award Agreement and Form of Notice 

10.57  2008 Performance Share Unit Agreement and Form of Notice 

10.58  Form of Notice of 2000 Stock Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement under 

the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Equity Incentive Plan 

Method of Filing 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 24, 2008, Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 24, 2008, Exhibit 10.2 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 24, 2008, Exhibit 10.3 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on November 24, 2008, Exhibit 10.4 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 22, 2008, Exhibit 10.1 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on February 22, 2008, Exhibit 10.2 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 2, 2008, 
Exhibit 10.39 

10.59  Form of 2005 Performance Share Unit Notice and Performance Share Unit 

Award Agreement 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed 
on March 1, 2005, Exhibit 10.2 

21.1  Significant subsidiaries of the Registrant 

Filed herewith electronically 

23.1  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

Filed as page 60 of this report 

31.1  Certification of President required by Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes- 

Filed herewith electronically 

Oxley Act of 2002 

31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Section 302(a) of the 

Filed herewith electronically 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

32.1  Certification of President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 

Furnished herewith electronically 

1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER

INFORMATION

Margaret Myers, 62 
Executive Vice President, 
General Merchandise Manager, 
Accessories and Women’s  
Specialized Divisions 

Blake W. Nordstrom, 48  
President 

Erik B. Nordstrom, 45  
Executive Vice President,  
President of Stores 

James F. Nordstrom, Jr., 36  
Executive Vice President,  
President, Nordstrom Direct 

Peter E. Nordstrom, 47  
Executive Vice President,  
President of Merchandising  

Loretta Soffe, 42 
Executive Vice President, 
General Merchandise Manager, 
Women’s Apparel Division 

Delena M. Sunday, 48  
Executive Vice President, 
Human Resources and Diversity Affairs 

David M. Witman, 50 
Executive Vice President, 
General Merchandise Manager, 
Men’s and Kidswear Divisions 

Executive Officers 

Laurie M. Black, 50 
Executive Vice President, 
General Merchandise Manager, 
Cosmetics Division 

Robert E. Campbell, 53 
Treasurer and Vice President, 
Investor Relations 

Linda Toschi Finn, 61  
Executive Vice President, Marketing 

James A. Howell, 43 
Vice President, Finance 

David G. Johansen, 58  
Vice President, Corporate 
Secretary and Counsel 

Kevin T. Knight, 53  
Executive Vice President, 
Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer of Nordstrom fsb, 
President, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 

Michael G. Koppel, 52  
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 

Daniel F. Little, 47  
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Administrative Officer 

Scott A. Meden, 46 
Executive Vice President 
and President, Nordstrom Rack 

Jack H. Minuk, 54  
Executive Vice President, 
General Merchandise Manager, 
Shoe Division 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee 
Phyllis J. Campbell, Chair 
Robert G. Miller 
Philip G. Satre 
Robert D. Walter 
Alison A. Winter 

Compensation Committee 
Alison A. Winter, Chair 
Enrique Hernandez, Jr. 
Robert G. Miller 
Robert D. Walter 

Corporate Governance and 
Nominating Committee 
Enrique Hernandez, Jr., Chair 
Philip G. Satre 
Alison A. Winter 

Executive Committee 
Enrique Hernandez, Jr., Chair 
Blake W. Nordstrom 
Erik B. Nordstrom 
Peter E. Nordstrom 

Finance Committee 
Robert G. Miller, Chair 
Phyllis J. Campbell 
Peter E. Nordstrom 
Philip G. Satre 

Board of Directors and Committees  

Board of Directors 

Phyllis J. Campbell, 57 
Chairman of the Pacific Northwest 
JPMorgan Chase 
Seattle, Washington 

Enrique Hernandez, Jr., 53 
Nordstrom, Inc. Chairman of the Board 
President and CEO, 
Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. 
Pasadena, California 

Robert G. Miller, 64 
Chief Executive Officer, 
Albertsons LLC 
Boise, Idaho 

Blake W. Nordstrom, 48 
President 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Seattle, Washington 

Erik B. Nordstrom, 45  
Executive Vice President and 
President of Stores 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Seattle, Washington 

Peter E. Nordstrom, 47  
Executive Vice President and 
President of Merchandising 
Nordstrom, Inc. 
Seattle, Washington 

Philip G. Satre, 59 
Private Investor 
Reno, Nevada 

Robert D. Walter, 63 
Private Investor 
Columbus, OH 

Alison A. Winter, 62 
Founder 
Braintree Holdings, LLC 
Pasadena, California 

Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries  69 

  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information  

Independent Registered Public  
Accounting Firm 
Deloitte & Touche LLP 
Seattle, Washington 

Form 10-K 
The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K  
for the year ended January 31, 2009 will be 
provided to shareholders upon request to: 

Counsel  
Lane Powell PC 
Seattle, Washington 

Transfer Agent and Registrar 
The Bank of New York Mellon 
P. O. Box 3316 South Hackensack, 
New Jersey 07606 
Telephone (800) 318-7045 
TDD for Hearing Impaired (800) 231-5469 
Foreign Shareholders (201) 329-8660 
TDD Foreign Shareholders (201) 329-8354 

General Offices 
1617 Sixth Avenue 
Seattle, Washington 98101-1742 
Telephone (206) 628-2111 

Annual Meeting 
May 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. 
Pacific Daylight Time 
Benaroya Hall 
Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall 
200 University Street 
Seattle, Washington 98101-3428 

Nordstrom, Inc. Investor Relations 
P. O. Box 2737 
Seattle, Washington 98111-2737 
(206) 303-3200 
invrelations@nordstrom.com 

Shareholder Information 
Additional shareholder information, including 
Nordstrom’s Corporate Governance Guidelines 
and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, is 
available online at http://www.nordstrom.com 
(Investor Relations, Corporate Governance). 
The Company intends to provide disclosure of 
any amendments or waivers to its Code of 
Business Conduct and Ethics online within four 
business days following the date of 
amendment or waiver. In addition, the 
Company is always willing to discuss matters 
of concern to shareholders.  
(206) 303-3200 
invrelations@nordstrom.com 

Certifications 
We have filed the required certifications under 
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 
regarding the quality of our public disclosures 
as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to our annual report on 
Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009. 
After our 2009 Annual Meeting of shareholders, 
we intend to file with the New York Stock 
Exchange the CEO certification regarding our 
compliance with the NYSE’s corporate 
governance listing standards as required by 
NYSE Rule 303A.12(a). 

© 2009 Nordstrom, Inc.

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PlEAsE rECYClE