Nordstrom reported preliminary sales of $355.3 million for the four-week period ending January 31, 2004, an increase of 13.5 percent compared to sales of $313.2 million for the four-week period ending February 1, 2003. Same-store
sales increased 8.7 percent.

Preliminary quarter-to-date sales of $1.9 billion increased 11.8 percent
compared to quarter-to-date 2002 sales of $1.7 billion. Quarter-to-date
same-store sales increased 8.5 percent.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $6.5 billion increased 8.5 percent
compared to year-to-date 2002 sales of $6.0 billion. Year-to-date same-store
sales increased 4.3 percent. 


                                                            % Change % Change
                                  Jan.     Jan.     Dollar     Total     Comp
    Sales Reconciliation ($M)    2004     2003    Increase     Sales    Sales
      Number of Days GAAP          28       31
      GAAP Sales               $355.3   $345.1       $10.2      3.0%    (0.9%)
      Less Jan. 1-4, 2003
       sales                       --   ($50.1)
      Plus Feb. 1, 2003 sales      --    $18.2
      Reported 4-5-4 sales     $355.3   $313.2       $42.1     13.5%     8.7%
      4-5-4 Adjusted Days          28       28


                                                            % Change  % Change
                                                      Dollar   Total      Comp
    Sales Reconciliation ($M)  QTD 2003   QTD 2002  Increase   Sales     Sales
      Number of Days GAAP            91        92
      GAAP Sales               $1,929.0  $1,750.6     $178.4   10.2%      7.0%
      Less Nov. 1-2, 2002
       sales                         --    ($43.7)
      Plus Feb. 1, 2003
       sales                         --     $18.2
      Reported 4-5-4 sales     $1,929.0  $1,725.1     $203.9   11.8%      8.5%
      4-5-4 Adjusted Days            91        91


                                                            % Change % Change
                                                      Dollar   Total     Comp
    Sales Reconciliation ($M)  FYE 2003   FYE 2002  Increase   Sales    Sales
      Number of Days GAAP           365        365
      GAAP Sales               $6,488.3   $5,975.1    $513.2    8.6%     4.1%
      Less Feb. 1, 2003          ($18.2)        --
      Less Feb.  1-2, 2002
       sales                         --     ($30.9)
      Plus Feb. 1, 2003 sales        --      $18.2
      Reported 4-5-4 sales     $6,470.1   $5,962.4    $507.7    8.5%     4.3%
      4-5-4 Adjusted Days           364        364

During the first quarter of 2004, the Company plans to retire its
outstanding 8.95% senior notes scheduled to mature in 2005. This will be a
cash transaction that consists of $196.8 million in principal, $7.3 million in
accrued interest and an estimated redemption cost of $20 to $22 million. This
debt retirement will reduce on-going interest expense by approximately $17
million annually and is expected to lower first quarter earnings per share by
$0.08. 

    SALES SUMMARY

    (unaudited;          Jan.     Jan.       QTD       QTD       YTD       YTD

     $ in millions)      2004     2003      2003      2002      2003      2002

     Total sales       $355.3   $313.2  $1,929.0  $1,725.1  $6,470.1  $5,962.4

     Total sales

      percentage

      change            13.5%     5.3%     11.8%      6.8%      8.5%      6.0%

     Same-store sales

      percentage

      change             8.7%     0.8%      8.5%      1.5%      4.3%      1.3%


     Number of stores

     (as of Jan. 31, 2003)

      Full-line            92          88

      Rack and other       56          55

      International

       Faconnable

       boutiques           31          23

      Total               179         166

    Gross square

     footage       19,138,000  18,428,000