Nordstrom, Inc. reported a 6.9% decrease in same-store sales for July compared with the comp month in fiscal 2008. Preliminary total retail sales were $806 million for the four-week period ended August 1, a decrease of 4.1% compared with total retail sales of $840 million for the year-ago period.


Full-line same-store sales performance for the first 16 days of the Anniversary Sale, which began Friday, July 17th, declined 6.6% compared with the prior year. The event’s same-store sales results were favorable to the company’s expectations. The Anniversary Sale, which typically makes July the second-largest sales month of the year, had the same timing and duration as last year’s event.


Second quarter same-store sales decreased 9.8% compared with the same period in fiscal 2008. Preliminary second quarter total retail sales of $2.14 billion decreased 6.2% compared with total retail sales of $2.29 billion during the same period in fiscal 2008.


Year-to-date same-store sales decreased 11.3% compared with the same period in fiscal 2008. Preliminary year-to-date total retail sales of $3.85 billion decreased 7.6% compared with total retail sales of $4.17 billion for the same period in fiscal 2008.