Nordstrom May Comps Store Sales Up 3.4%

Nordstrom, Inc. reported preliminary sales of $449.0 million for the four-week period ending May 31, 2003, an increase of 8.5 percent compared to sales of $414.0 million for the four-week period ending June 1, 2002. Same-store sales increased 3.4 percent.

For the month of May, same-store sales in full-line stores increased in all geographic regions. By merchandise division, same-store sales increased in the Designer and Bridge segments of Women’s Apparel, as well as Cosmetics, Accessories, Men’s Apparel, Shoes and Intimate Apparel.

Preliminary year-to-date (Feb. – May) sales of $1,774.4 million increased 4.7 percent compared to year-to-date 2002 sales of $1,694.4 million. Year-to-date same-store sales decreased 0.2 percent.

GAAP sales performance

The additional information we are providing in this section is to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s newly issued Regulation G. The company converted to a 4-5-4 Retail Calendar at the beginning of 2003. During 2002, the Company had reported monthly sales based on a 4-5-4 Retail Calendar. The Company believes that the 4-5-4 Retail Calendar provides a more comparable basis (4-5-4 vs. 4-5-4) from which to evaluate sales performance. Sales performance numbers included in this press release have been calculated on a comparative 4-5-4 basis.

                                                 Dollar      %Change  %Change
                                   May    May   Increase/     Total     Comp
    Sales Reconciliation ($M)     2003    2002 (Decrease)     Sales     Sales
     Number of Days GAAP            28      31
     GAAP Sales                 $449.0  $460.2    ($11.2)     (2.4%)    (6.7%)
     Less May 1-4, 2002 sales           ($65.2)
     Plus June 1, 2002 sales             $19.0
     Reported 4-5-4 sales       $449.0  $414.0     $35.0       8.5%      3.4%
     4-5-4 Adjusted Days            28      28

                                                             %Change  %Change
                                                     Dollar   Total     Comp
    Sales Reconciliation ($M)  YTD 2003   YTD 2002  Increase  Sales     Sales
     Number of Days GAAP            120        120
     GAAP Sales                $1,792.6   $1,706.0     $86.6    5.1%    (0.9%)
     Less Feb. 1, 2003           ($18.2)
     Less Feb. 1-2, 2002 sales              ($30.6)
     Plus June 1, 2002 sales                 $19.0
     Reported 4-5-4 sales      $1,774.4   $1,694.4     $80.0    4.7%    (0.2%)
     4-5-4 Adjusted Days            119        119