SEATTLE, March 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading fashion specialty
retailer Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) opened the doors of its first full-line
store in Hawaii today at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. Nordstrom has served
customers in Hawaii for over 40 years, beginning in 1966 with leased shoe
departments at Liberty House stores and later with a free-standing shoe store
and a Nordstrom Rack store at Ward Centers.
The new 210,000-square-foot Nordstrom will offer the islands a compelling
selection of designer, luxury and quality fashion brands in clothing,
accessories, cosmetics, and shoes. The store will feature a comprehensive
offering of American and European designer collections including Armani,
Burberry, Burberry Prorsum, Dries Van Noten, Giambattista Valli, Lanvin,
Marchesa, Michael Kors, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Roberto
Cavalli, Thakoon and Versace. Nordstrom will also offer an extensive selection
of designer shoes and handbags from names such as Burberry, Chloe, Hogan,
Lanvin, Manolo Blahnik and Yves Saint Laurent.
"We are excited to welcome customers into the new full-line store and show
them all that Nordstrom has to offer," said store manager Brian Tatsumura.
"This store has been a long time coming and we hope that customers will give
us the chance to earn their business."
In addition to a great selection of fashion merchandise, Nordstrom offers
a number of services to enhance the shopping experience. These amenities
include an in-store alterations and tailor shop, Personal Touch -- a
complimentary wardrobe and shopping service, bra and prosthesis fitters,
complimentary gift boxes and a family restroom. Nordstrom at Ala Moana Center
will also feature four food offerings, including a Marketplace Cafe, two
espresso bars and the company's only Gelato Bar.
Opening day started at 7:30 a.m. with Nordstrom hosting a cosmetics
tailgate party outside its mall entrance. Shoppers enjoyed complimentary
beauty and skincare consultations, learned about the latest trends in makeup
and fragrance, and received samples and gifts with purchase. When the store
opened at 9:30 a.m., over 600 excited employees lined the aisles and cheered
enthusiastically to welcome the first customers through the doors.
Earlier in the week, Nordstrom held an opening gala that raised nearly
$400,000 for partnering charities Bishop Museum, Hawaii Theatre Center and
HUGS (Help, Understanding and Group Support). Guests had an opportunity to
shop in the new store while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert
buffets, specialty drinks and live entertainment. The highlight of the evening
was two full-scale runway fashion shows featuring spring 2008 designer
collections for women and men. The shows were held in a hangar-size tent
adjacent to the store and featured theatrical lighting and 40 models walking a
64-foot runway.
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty
retailers, with 157 stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe
store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 103 full-line stores, 50 Nordstrom
Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and two clearance stores. Nordstrom also serves
customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through
its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the
symbol JWN.
SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc. -
03/07/2008
CONTACT:
Pamela Perret of Nordstrom, Inc.,
cell, +1-206-617-9391
Web site: http://www.nordstrom.com