Nordstrom reported preliminary sales of $491.7 million for the four-week period ending May 1, 2004, an increase of 12.4% compared to sales of $437.5 million for the four-week period ending May 3, 2003. Same-store sales increased 10.0%…

April same-store sales in full-line stores increased in all geographic regions and all major merchandise categories.

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales of $1.5 billion increased 16.6% compared to sales of $1.3 billion in 2003. Quarter-to-date same-store sales increased 13.2%.

Nordstrom is raising its first quarter earnings expectations to reflect strong sales and gross profit performance. The company now expects earnings to exceed $0.40 per diluted share for the quarter compared to $0.20 last year.