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Nordstrom shopping in the store

Debbie

Veteran

San Antonio is opening probably faster than it should. The nail and hair salons opened about 10 days ago so I went and had my nails done. I felt extremely safe. It was different. I know my nail girl was extremely grateful to go back to work.

While I was there I walked down to Nordstrom’s. It was so sad. There was not much merchandise. And no new merchandise. The racks are not full. Tons of empty space way more that is needed for social distancing. This store has a great Point of View department. It was basically empty. I left after a new minutes. It was depressing. The sales girls are trying so hard but there is nothing to sell.

I feel there is going to be a huge shift in retail. Some of the stores will never recover. i feel some will go online only. It was a real eye opener.

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Debbie. Interesting.

I went into our town centre yesterday for the first time since our "lockdown" ended. I had a couple of bookstore purchases to make for presents and bought some tee shirts from a local designer (one for me, two for my son).

Hairdressers, barbers, e-game shops were all very busy. Fashion retailers were very quiet..... Many places were closed that might normally be open and three or four places looked as though they had shut up shop for good.

There is a big change happening I agree - some of it is a correction that would have happened anyway. It is going to be interesting and also very sad watching the change happen.

Helena

Veteran

It's all very surreal being out and about ... I definitely think many retailers are going to suffer, especially the mid-level ones. On the bright side, I *hope* that some small/independent retailers might be able to adapt quickly and find some opportunities.

unfrumped

Veteran

So tough.

Some places that are open and sell clothing have their fitting rooms still closed. I can understand that, but I can't really shop that way. It shouldn't be that mail order is that different, because while you are also guessing at size and everything else (can't assess the fabric and colors well) , at least it's delivered and the return is a little less human contact than in-store.
Same for just browsing other items (though non-clothing at least is usually assessed right on the shelf--but doesn't feel very comfortable all masked up and less so if other shoppers are not masked, getting too close.
So, it's interesting that, of course, there is the "shopping experience", which is quite altered, and makes forking out $$ less appealing.

slim cat

Veteran

Sounds sad and depressing - I always think about dressy windows with elegant mannequins, fun shoes on displays and pretty shoppers looking for the new things when I think about Nordstrom.
I hope this is a transitional time with more innovative things to come and new substantial clothes to arrive.

MsMaven

Veteran

Malls in our county are still closed except for pickup. I have no desire to go shopping in a mall at present. Sounds depressing--I had enough difficulty finding items I might want before the lockdown.

Thanks for the report Debbie.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Before this, Nordstrom had already started a trend toward emptiness in the stores that I had visited. I think they were going for a boutique look, in comparison to Macy’s and JC Penney, Kohl’s and TJ Maxx, etc., which were always overcrowded with merchandise.

Anonymous

Thanks for sharing - that makes sense and feels sad to me, too! I hadn't thought much about the "old way" of in-person clothing shopping until today.

I'm not shopping in stores unless I have to due to personal circumstances - but I bought some clothing online at Nordstrom and needed to return a few things. I drove to a Nordstrom in our city that isn't the closest, but offered curbside returns. It felt safe too - structured, sanitized at each person's departure, and of course stellar (distant!) customer service. They bag and quarantine items for three days and then process the return, which is quicker than sending it via mail right now.

The curbside experience actually made me miss shopping for the first time. I think I've been in such a survival or just-do-it mode that a glimpse of what I used to experience shopping (at least with friendly staff) reminded me of the contrast. Sigh! At least when I order things online, I get a bit of the Nordstrom "smell!" For now, that will have to do.

Debbie

Veteran

Laura-it did not look intentional. I am hoping as the weeks go on some normalcy returns. I don’t
Think it will ever get back to the way it was.

Anonymous

Whoops! Somehow posted twice.

Anonymous

very interesting, Debbie. Our nearest Nordstrom’s is on the list for closing but they were pretty empty a couple of years ago. I would ask about favorite bands or Angie picks and they did not have them but said they could order my size. I always declined saying I could do that myself. I wanted to see the fabric and check fit etc. At least our even closer Rack takes Nordstrom returns, or did before it closed for the virus. I assume it still will. I suspect mall stores in general are doomed unless they have a robust online presence. That just seems to be the way most younger people shop. My sons even buy most groceries on line and have them delivered. Our son living in Tokyo orders meat quarterly from a meat market. He can contact the delivery person on their cell phone and tell him when he will be home for a delivery.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I know Joy I guess younger people do shop that way. I do quite a bit of researching online but I do really like to see the item in person if possible. My last 2 pairs of shoes have been online though after much looking and still think they’re winners? Have worn my new black loafers from early March 12 times already.
With clothing I do really want to feel the fabric and try the item on, sigh. And shipping is often a cost here in NZ...
It is quite strange for me to feel like a dinosaur!?

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Sad, but I hope this is the beginning and things will improve, though it won’t go back to “normal.”
I have lots of in-store options in normal times, but even though I have four Nordstrom stores in my area (soon to be three), I often had to order online anyway for sizes and colors. The stores just don’t carry a lot of the styles I’m interested in, or they sell out too fast. I’ve really turned into an order at home, try it on, and return most of it shopper, even pre-pandemic.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It does sound sad. The Nordstrom near me (a mere four miles away!) is closing permanently, and it’s already been a little sad going there the last year or so.

Our state has eased some restrictions on activity, but honestly I think it’s too soon and people seem to be taking it as a license to go back to normal. People apparently flooded the closest ocean resort over the weekend. My husband went to Home Depot yesterday and was appalled by how many people walked around the store with masks under their chins (why?????) and the returns counter rep (mask under her nose) getting within two feet of the people she was serving. He turned around and walked out.

But that’s an aside. Regardless of official restrictions, I’m not interested in in-person shopping or going to salons at the moment. This is the time of year i would normally get my first pedicure of the season, and I could certainly use one, but that is an extremely minor price to pay for community safety.

I do agree that retail is likely changing for good. It’s sad that a lot of stores will likely disappear forever, especially the smaller, independent shops. And even when things open back up, the economic picture for so many families and consumers will have changed so much that people may not be willing or able to spend the way they did in years past. We are in for a sea change.

Windchime

Veteran

My friends and I were talking about this during a Zoom social meeting recently. In-person “retail therapy” will probably become a thing of the past. With greatly reduced inventory, the need to wear masks, the need to limit customers in the store, and dressing rooms not even being open, the in-store shopping experience really won’t be enjoyable anymore.

Kyle

Veteran

Yes, so sad! One of the two Nordstroms in my area is closing as well. Goodbye, old friend. A big change is upon us.

Christina F.

Veteran

We have a new flagship Nordy's here but I can't imagine going shopping in it for a long, long time. If they do re-open when the city does, I could imagine using curbside pickup, at most. I will miss the bar in the shoe department, but then again I miss every other bar too....

That said, since this is NYC, I am sure they will keep the store open since it's new and a flagship, and they spent years and millions of dollars developing it. I think it functions more as an experience and ad for Nordstrom more than anything. I am sad that it's come to this soon soon after that investment, but they had no way to know.

taylor

Veteran

Too bad about Nordstrom , so many stores struggle and we’re on the edge. Our Mall opened. It’s slow, but it will pick up.
im glad you felt safe and got your nails done.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have been soooooo curious! Thanks for sharing, sweet Debbie. So sad. My heart is heavy for retailers and in-store employees.

I am VERY curious to see how the Nordstrom Seattle flagship will look - and it might open in 4 weeks. Maybe not. Curbside pick up has only just become available. I'm high fiving Christina because NY and WA states are reopening in much the same way. We are still on stay at home order in Seattle. We have a long way to go.

Retail has changed forever. Online shopping has taken over the world. I LOVE to browse and work with my clientele in stores. It's very effective. This will affect my consulting business in a big way.

Anonymous

Angie, I've been thinking about how this will affect your business . You're creative and intuitive though and I'm sure you'll come up with new ideas and solutions to the new reality of shopping.

Anonymous

Oh no Christina, not the shoe bar!
Our stores were allowed to open, but didn't yet-which was too bad cause I tore my boat shoes this weekend :/ It will definitely be a strange experience. Well, everything right now in the "outside world" is a strange experience.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Lisa P. I appreciate the vote of confidence. How this all unfolds is going to be interesting and nerve wracking. I will embrace the changes as best I can. I am almost always positive, and that will help!

Debbie

Veteran

Angie-your business will evolve and prosper because you make each client feel special. You boost self confidence and and show us how to embrace our bodies in the now.

The nail salon felt safer than anywhere I have been. It was spotless. A plexiglass petition was up between you and the tech and she was masked and gloved.

I was leary when I booked the appointment but within 5 minutes of being there I was fine. It is a large salon so social distancing was not a problem.
I know it will not be that way every where. Caution is the new normal.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Debbie. Thanks for being our Queen Sweetheart.

Your nail salon sounds fabulous! Soooo glad you felt safe.

DonnaF

Veteran

A lot of traditional department stores have felt socially distanced for YEARS. Nonetheless I am fairly confident that both Nordstroms near me will reopen by the end of the summer. I have four bags of returns and prefer to have physical and emailed proof with that much at stake. I also have alterations.

I will go to the store I can drive to versus my regular store where I would take public transportation. It’s people that concern me, not the virus on stuff.

cindysmith

Veteran

I am having trouble wrapping my mind around all that's happened, and even more trouble wrapping my mind around how this will shake out in the future. There are a lot of people who are going to be changed so thoroughly that it will affect even their descendants for generations, much like the Great Depression and the Holocaust affected the descendants of those who lived and died during those times.

Retail will never be the same again. We will never be the same. Mind boggling.

JAileen

Veteran

Our nearest Nordstrom is over 100 miles away, over a mountain pass. Needless to say, I rarely go there. I was sorely disappointed when the Rack stopped taking Nordstrom returns. I know others have said they still do, but officially they don’t. I still find things I like from Nordstrom online. I do have to return a lot. I hope they don’t go the way of the dinosaur.

always trying

Veteran

Fashion is one of the biggest hits now. With work at home, no jobs, no social activities etc. for so many, who needs new fashion items. I am not the only one who has several spring,/\summer items bought last year, and early this year that have had none to very little wear. This will continue for some time. Even with varying degrees of "opening" up, many of us are still afraid to go out in more crowded places. Hard as it is we just have to face reality. There definitely be changes, but a new world will emerge.

lyn67

Veteran

Your opinions made me sad I could also feel the change just cannot believe it won't be ever like before. Economy needs time to recover but am very positive on the changes will take place for their's best -even in fashion and retail- we will still have to dress our bodies each day after all.
And am really convinced we will always need a good eye to approve and guide our purchases (especially if we'll do it more online and so completely unaided from trusted friends or sale personal) so dear Angie, with all the online video chat services available I dare to say you could do personalised online consultations almost the same way like the "in person" ones! I'm sure you'll find the best way for that if you wanted-and Greg&Sam will help and support you, too!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, sweet Lyn67. I appreciate your constant support.