What: The luxury e-tailer is introducing a new model that will see it hold inventory from brands without buying it and still get to carefully curate its offering to shoppers.

Why it is important: Mytheresa introduces drop shipping, but the retailer will hold inventory in its warehouse instead of the brands.

Instead of buying from them wholesale, Mytheresa will start holding inventory from select vendors in its warehouses and ship directly to customers who make a purchase. The inventory, however, will still belong to the brand. Mytheresa, meanwhile, will book a fee on the sales. What makes the arrangement novel is Mytheresa will still be curating its selection of items as it normally would. It calls it a curated platform model.

“It’s clunky,” chief executive Michael Kliger says of the name, “but we just wanted to really say it’s not a marketplace, it’s not e-concession, it’s another version.”

So far, Mytheresa isn’t saying which brands it will work with on these terms, but it expects less than 20% of its total merchandise sales will come from the new model to start. Gradually, that level will rise, but the company doesn’t expect it to surpass 35% in the long term.

As Mytheresa sees it, the arrangement will give it access to more inventory and allow for in-season replenishment of items that are selling well, helping to fuel its growth without it having to buy the inventory itself.

Mytheresa’s New Model for Working With Brands

What: The truck has been touring in Hong Kong this summer to offer a very condensed version of Ikea’s experience

Why it is important: The truck is a mobile showroom, which isn't selling anything but is instead acting as a drive-to-store and data collecting mechanism.

If you’ve ever spent time in an Ikea on a weekend afternoon, you’ll know that finding what you dropped in for can, on occasions, be something of an endurance test, particularly if the item(s) in question is relatively small.

The selection gathered low-priced products including a range of everyday essentials, tableware, home cleaning, organisation accessories and more from USD 1 upwards, as well as an area for the Top 10 Ikea Products. There was even a chance to take home some complimentary gifts and Ikea vouchers. All you had to do is catch the truck, play the games inside, fill out a questionnaire, and download the Ikea app.

Ikea's Everyday Low Price Truck is now touring Hong Kong

What: The half-year report showed an improvement on the prior-year period but its results were still far below some of the figures it produced just a few years ago.

Why it is important: John Lewis said that including exceptional items, the Partnership made a loss before tax of GBP 29 million. This was a “significant improvement” on last year’s loss before tax of GBP 635 million. However, on that basis, the result was significantly down from the 2019/20 profit before tax of GBP 192 million.

For the first six months of the year, its profit before exceptional items was GBP 69 million. That was GBP 124 million up on the 2020/21 year, when the Partnership made a loss of GBP 55 million.

On a two-year comparison (2YoY) against the pre-pandenic period, it also showed an improvement as the first half of 2019/20 had seen it making a loss of GBP 52 million. It was helped by the cost reductions it has been driving through and it made savings of GBP 66 million in the first half, as well as receiving business rates relief of GBP 58 million. But while that rates relief boosted it artificially, it also faced exceptional costs of GBP 98 million in the half as it settled lease obligations due to shop closures and dealt with major redundancy costs.

It saw a 6% increase in sales across the Partnership (but gave no monetary figures) and the John Lewis department stores chain and its webstore saw “strong sales growth” in the first half, up 12% on last year (and up 13% like-for-like). This was slightly up (by 1%) on 2019/20 but was 11% higher like-for-like. Almost 75% of sales were online in the first half, broadly the same as last year, and significantly up on the pre-pandemic 40%.

Margins also “rebounded strongly against last year as we returned to a more balanced pattern of trade”, it said. That meant it shifted “fewer laptops, [but saw] more lamps and linen sales”. In fact, Technology sales were flat year-on-year while growth was strong in Home (up 23%), Fashion (up 22%) and Nursery (up 18%).

John Lewis sales improve but profits remain muted

John Lewis unaudited results for half-year ended 31 July 2021

What: Higher-end department store group Fenwick was hit particularly hard during the pandemic, its latest set of results to the end of January show. While stores were shut during lockdowns, the retailer couldn’t rely on an online platform to soften the sales blow.

Why it is important: Pre-tax losses rose to GBP 112 million from GBP 47 million in 2019. Sales plummeted to GBP 140.5 million from GBP 323.7 million.

Digital ambitions are now key to grow and around 80% of Fenwick’s ranges were now sold online but the core store ops continue to drive the business.

While the Bond Street store has suffered a slump in footfall because of a lack of office workers and tourists post lockdowns, Fenwick’s other stores have benefited from more people staying local.

Fenwick losses rise as lockdowns hit hard

What: The department store has partnered with Hypebeast to launch the first-ever shoppable, virtual showroom featuring exclusive footwear from 11 luxury brands.

Why it is important: Neiman Marcus is experiencing growth in the luxury business overall with men's as one of the standout categories. Launching as part of its fall campaign, dubbed 'Re-Introduce Yourself’, the online campaign concept gives Neiman Marcus shoppers and Hypebeast readers access to an elevated e-commerce experience that reimagines remote shopping.

The virtual showroom is described as “a convergence of online shopping and editorial storytelling,” and features top brands in footwear: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Balmain, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Maison Margiela, Moncler, Off-White, Versace and Giuseppe Zanotti.

Each brand designed one-of-a-kind styles exclusive to Neiman Marcus for the initiative. For the launch, the 11 styles are set to be released exclusively on Neimanmarcus.com. Additionally, select styles will be available at all 37 Neiman Marcus stores, where style advisors will be prepared to offer their distinctive luxury sales services.

Neiman Marcus And Hypebeast Launch First Virtual Showroom

What: According to Bloomberg, Walmart Inc. is issuing a USD 2 billion green bond, amid efforts to reduce carbon emissions, boost recycling and clean up its supply chain.

Why it is important: The bonds may help fund a range of green projects including solar and wind, energy efficient refrigeration, electric vehicles and waste reduction, according to its green financing framework.

Walmart is selling the USD 2 billion 10-year green bond as part of a five-part USD 7 billion sale to help fund a tender offer.

The retailer has a target of achieving zero emissions by 2040 and also aims for a 1 billion metric ton cut in emissions from its supply chain by 2030.

Walmart Breaks Green Bond Record With $2 Billion Debut Issuance 

What:  Nike closed its corporate offices for one week so that staff could take time off to rest and recover.

Why it is important:  Senior management wants this to come as an acknowledgement that mental health prioritization is not counterproductive, but rather a way to let teams recharge.

Nike wanted to send a message that it is important to recognize the role mental health plays for workers and their well-being and that they should learn to focus on mental health in a preventative manner so they do not become ill.

Although the corporate teams received a week off, the retail stores remained open.

Nike closes offices for a week to give employees a mental health break 

What: Mall of Oman is 140,000 sqm and features the sultanate’s largest cinema, a thousand-seat food court, and Oman’s largest indoor snow park.

Why it is important: More than 80% of the LEED-certified mall’s gross leasable area has been leased, and 300 retail outlets are set to open in coming months.

Majid Al Futtaim’s strong regional presence includes 29 existing malls across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Majid Al Futtaim Opens Mall of Oman in Muscat 

What: Players will be able to buy virtual clothes and accessories with Fortnite’s in-game currency, while all customers will be able to buy co-branded physical products in stores and online. A marketing campaign that will appear on billboards in cities like New York and Tokyo, as well as in Fortnite itself.

Why it is important: After Gucci with Animal Crossing or Roblox, Balenciaga and Fortnite are bringing the physical and virtual worlds even closer together by offering both digital and real products. The giant in the gaming world has 400 million registered accounts.

The in-game clothing will include outfits for four of Fortnite’s popular characters inspired by real-world looks from Balenciaga collections. Fortnite players will be able to unlock some of the Balenciaga products by performing tasks in the game. Other items will have to be purchased using V-Bucks, Fortnite’s in-game currency. The most expensive items cost 1,500 V-Bucks, roughly equivalent to USD 12.

One hoodie worn by Doggo, an anthropomorphised dog, bears both Balenciaga and Fortnite branding, and physical versions will be available for purchase in different colours through Balenciaga. The brand will also sell items such as T-shirts, hats, dress shirts and a denim jacket as part of its line with Fortnite.

The project isn’t the first time Balenciaga and Epic Games worked together. Last year, Balenciaga created a game called “Afterworld: The Age of Tomorrow” to showcase its Autumn/Winter 2021 collection.

Balenciaga and Fortnite Are a Match Made in the Metaverse 

What: After five years, Saks 5th Avenue re-enters the New Jersey market with a two-level bright and modern store inside the American Dream complex.

Why it’s important: By closing down their previous stores and opening a new, bigger, better and better-positioned store, Saks met the wishes and expectations of its customers.

The store’s merchandising blends in with the 5th Avenue luxury shops, that is to say designer handbags and men’s and women’s shoes, which have been the top-selling categories lately. Cosmetics, fragrances and men’s, women’s and kids’ fashions are also available.

Among its innovative features, Saks now offers over 1,000 different styles of men’s and women’s sunglasses, advanced designer and contemporary women’s labels and much more.

To celebrate its opening, Saks at The Avenue will host a charity shopping weekend with a percentage of sales benefiting Women’s Rights Information Center all through Sunday.

Saks Fifth Avenue Returns to the Garden State 

What: While announcing the first quarter earnings (Q1) for fiscal year 2022 month ending August 31, 2021, the retailer also disclosed follow-ups on its strategy.

Why it is important: Taking supply chain issues into consideration, Nike will increase its prices.

Nike announced first quarter earnings (Q1) for fiscal year 2022 month ending August 31, 2021, with revenues up 16% compared to last year. Nike direct sales were up 28% and gross margin improved to 46.5% as compared to 44.8% in Q1 last year.

Digital sales for Q1 was 20% of total sales and the company is confident it will meet its goal of having digital represent 40% of total revenue by 2025.

Supply chain issues have been a challenge throughout the quarter with all footwear factories in Vietnam still closed. As a result of these issues, Nike has readjusted its forward looking statements for the second half of the year to single digit increases.

Price increases will be implemented in the second half of the year to offset transportation, logistics and air freight costs. The continued shift to direct to consumer will also help to offset anticipated added costs in the second half of the year.

Nike Prices To Rise Amid Supply Chain Issues While Profits Increase 23%

NIKE Reports Fiscal 2022 First Quarter Results - Press release

What: the French hypermarket is following Auchan into the launch of ultra-fast delivery services to compete with Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Why it is important:  Even though they have acquired the technical capabilities, Carrefour will limit this service to 1,000 products, which is significantly lower to other European operators such as El Corte Inglés, able to deliver its whole catalogue (including fresh food) in 2 hours.

Carrefour, which took a minority stake in Cajoo, a French 15-mn delivery service powered via an app, has announced the launch of a similar service for a selection of 1,000 products, in the hope to compete with ultra-fast delivery services, such as Deliveroo and Uber eats.

Neither the name or the date of launch have been disclosed so far.

Carrefour launches its own express delivery service

What: Selfridges Group has committed to significantly accelerating its target to achieve net zero carbon across its business to 2040.

Why it is important: The Climate Pledge is a commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism to act on the climate emergency and meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early.

Last month, Selfridges marked the first anniversary of Project Earth by publishing a Progress Update that sets out its highlights and hurdles throughout the last 12 months. In early 2022, Selfridges will publish its first full Sustainability Report.

Selfridges set Science Based Targets (scopes 1,2 and 3) in 2020, which have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative. The department store is committed to achieving net-zero carbon across its business by 2040. Selfridges’ stores are powered by 100% green energy (electricity and gas) and it is focussing on driving down waste and energy consumption year on year.

Selfridges signs the climate pledge to accelerate net-zero carbon target by 10 years

What: Some 30 graduates from the fashion courses will present more than 150 styles to be displayed and retailed within the store beginning 28 September.

Why it is important: Such partnership provides the graduates with a rare opportunity to showcase and sell their work directly to consumers and to ultimately prepare them for key jobs in the industry.

Gavin Hudson, store retail operations manager at Harvey Nichols Manchester, said this “very special project,” demonstrates that the retailer is “proud to support emerging fashion talent and are delighted to be able to offer a platform on which new graduate designers can showcase their creativity.”

One of its recent graduates, Saif Ud Deen, was short-listed as a recipient of the inaugural Mr Porter Futures global designer mentorship program. He will receive the opportunity to build his own brand and deliver a minimum 15-piece collection for Mr Porter, as well as receiving 10,000 pounds from program sponsor Swedish online financial services provider Klarna.

Harvey Nichols Manchester Inks Partnership With University of Salford 

What: A year after launching, Amazon is taking Luxury Stores into the ultra-competitive European market.

Why it is important: Amazon will be entering the competitive European fashion and luxury landscape to attempt to extend its success of Luxury Stores beyond the U.S.

Amazon Luxury stores will debut in Europe later this year, just one year after rolling out in the U.S. Some brands on the platform have been reporting robust sales as they get exposed to even a fraction of Amazon’s large customer base.

The competition in the space is high in Europe given all the homegrown, multibrand fashion and luxury sites such as Zalando, Farfetch, Mytheresa, Net-a-porter, Matchesfashion and the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned 24 Sèvres.

The launch is rumored to happen in November, but this has not been confirmed by Amazon.

Amazon Luxury Stores Is Heading to Europe 

What: Walmart is rolling out a universal search and checkout capability in its app.

Why it is important: The change allows users to make one basket and transaction for items that will get fulfilled from different locations.

The new changes further elevate Walmart's e-commerce business as the retailer builds out its omnichannel strategy and looks to keep the online sales momentum brought on by the pandemic. Last year, Walmart combined its grocery and general merchandise apps, but the delivery was still disjointed until this new universal search and checkout capability.

Walmart's e-commerce sales, which nearly doubled a year ago due to the pandemic, are on track to hit $75 billion worldwide for the year.

Walmart unveils universal search and checkout in app 

What: The largest recent retail development in New York is set to open in Q2 2022

Why it is important: The whole proposal is based on creating communities with either DTC brands or low-key retailers, and this does not include department stores, even with their new formats.

Brookfield Properties threw the Manhattan West opening party in September 21, as the first phase of this 700,000 sqm mixed used development, located between 9th and 10th avenues and 31st and 33rd streets. This new project is filled in with a new retail proposition spanned on 24,000 sqm, including:

• 2 anchors: a 650 sqm Whole Foods (already open) and a Peloton store
• Wellness and lifestyle mixed retail spaces: a 450 sqm wellness centre, a 140 sqm skin treatment centre, the first stores of New Stand (a retailer mixing a newstand with tech gadgets and fashion accessories), Public Rec (athleisure), OPR Eyewear (hand-crafted eyewear), a 900 sqm NHL store, a Rothman’s menswear store,
• A wide array of F&B offerings: a 4000 sqm Citizen New York food hall, Life Wine and Spirit shop, and restaurants such as Danny Meyer, Zou Zou, Starbucks and others.

While some stores are already in operation, the retail proposition is set to be fully up and running within Q2 2022. It also aims to include a bank and a boutique hotel, in addition to green spaces and parks, next to 844 residential units.

Interestingly, there is no mention of any of the large American retailers, including those who recently developed community-oriented store formats, such as Nordstrom Local, Macy’s Market or Bloomie’s. The way retail is mixed into new property developments is also quite far from what can be seen in other parts of the world, which is surprising in a capital city such as New York.

EXCLUSIVE - Who’s Coming to Manhattan West 

What: For many retailers, particularly those selling "non-essentials," the outlook has been bleak, but 4,748 store closings are set for 2021, versus 4,616 openings.

Why it is important: A Coresight Research report indicates that, based on announcements so far this year from about five dozen U.S. retailers, closures are only 2.9% ahead of openings this year, compared to 142.1% ahead at the same time in 2020. But while the industry view toward brick-and-mortar is positive, the mood could quickly swing negative if business in the second half doesn’t meet expectations.

Coresight also indicated that major retailers have revealed 48.4% more openings and 37% fewer closures compared to 2020, and that U.S. store openings this year are tracking ahead of the pace in 2019 and 2018.

Sectors expanding most aggressively are dollar stores, offpricers, beauty chains, discounters and groceries. Categories seeing the greatest growth include home, athleisure, performance wear, plus sizes, sneakers, denim, fragrance and beauty. Lately, dresses, occasion and work-to-work styles have picked up. As sales strengthen, so does the inclination for brick-and-mortar growth.

Apparel is coming back. Specialty players like Aerie, American Eagle, Aritzia, Altered States and Madewell are growing. Rue21, currently with over 650 stores, set 15 openings by the end of 2021. The Aerie division of American Eagle Outfitters has targeted 76 store openings for 2021 and expects to have 500 to 600 units operating in 2023. Athleta, the fast-growing activewear division of Gap Inc., plans to open between 20 and 30 stores a year in the U.S. and will soon be opening stores in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada. And Fabletics, another active brand, sees opening two dozen stores this year, which will bring it to over 70 by the end of 2021.

Target continues to expand as well, most aggressively with its smaller urban format. The discounter has 1,909 brick-and-mortar locations, has opened 19 stores so far this year and 12 more are planned for the fall, in locations such as New York City, Hawaii and next to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The company sees opening 30 to 40 stores annually for the foreseeable future.

Sephora has embarked on its biggest expansion ever, with 60 freestanding sites and 200 shops inside Kohl’s in the works this year. Among off-pricers, Ross Stores sees 60 openings this year; TJX plans 74, and Burlington, 92.

Other digitally native companies such as The RealReal, Bonobos, Rhone, Koio, Allbirds, Glossier and Warby Parker are also steadily opening stores. Camp, a summer camp-themed store with toys and activities such as crafts, story-telling, opened its first location in 2018 in Manhattan and has five locations now.

Dollar General sees opening 1,050 stores this year on top of the 17,000-plus units operating at the beginning of 2021 and potentially ultimately doubling its store count. Dollar Tree plans to open a total of about 600 stores this year under the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar banners.

Major retailers still downsizing include J.C. Penney, Sears, Kmart, Disney, Gap, Banana Republic, and Macy’s. Topping Coresight’s list of store closing announcements this year is Christopher & Banks with 449.

Retailers Rethink Brick-and-Mortar Potential 

What: Macy’s Media Network (MMN), the company’s in-house retail media agency, has expanded its offering to include Bloomingdale’s for its advertising partnerships.

Why it is important: The addition of Bloomingdale’s to MMN further solidifies its positioning as the nation’s premiere retail media advertising destination for aspirational goods.

Following a successful launch on macys.com, the in-house media company has recently expanded to Bloomingdale’s. Within the first few months of launching, more than 50 on-site advertising campaigns have been featured on bloomingdales.com. Bloomingdales already represents more than 20% of onsite display campaigns, showing an outsized interest of advertisers in luxury shoppers.

With more than 500 million unique visits to macys.com and 60 million unique visits to bloomingdales.com in the second quarter of 2021, the ecommerce properties of Macy’s Inc are strong advertising platforms.

Macy’s Media Network Expands Brand Experience Offerings to Bloomingdale’s 

What: Playhouse, an emporium of gaming devices and content, will be located in the Oxford Street store basement.

Why it is important: Again emphasizing experiences, Selfridges will introduce new exclusives on a twice-monthly basis to create traffic and excitement. Lines are expected for some activities.

Almost two thirds of UK adults played video games over 2020, with every age category ticking upwards as people strove to fill all of those lockdown hours.

Playhouse borrows from the Apple handbook, with products displayed like objet d’art on glowing plinths, with everything from futuristic Rubix cubes to high-end gaming PCs treated with the same fetishistic reverence.

You’re encouraged to pick up and prod the products, and when you’re not browsing the merch, there are rows of old-school arcade machines (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Pac-Man etcetera). Perhaps the biggest draw are the gaming installations: an Aston Martin car pod with a wrap-around screen to practice your racing skills; a VR headset; and, most spectacularly, a virtual reality gaming chair in which you can spin around and upside down taking on the Decepticons in a Transformers shoot-em-up.

Smartech (the biggest concession in the store), who spent two years developing the “retailtainment” concept, says the products will be constantly updated to include the latest hot gadgets.

Playhouse, a shrine to video games, launches at Selfridges as industry sales surge 

What: the Parisian department store launches its “Concept Végétal” which offers a choice of plants and services to help customers creating green tailor-made spaces.

Why it is important:  After Selfridges and La Rinascente, Le Bon Marché is another department store surfing on the customers’ new-found post-Covid passion for nature.

The space is located on the ground floor event space. Customers can buy plants, pottery, learn how to develop outdoor spaces or indoor corners of greenery with the help of various architects and landscapers. Masterclasses are also on the menu.

Seen at The Cheap - Nature invites itself to the Cheap

What: The discount retailer is leaning heavily on omnichannel capabilities to reach more customers and introduce them to the Nordstrom experience.

Why it is important: The off-pricer significantly boosted its digital capabilities when its website transitioned to the nordstrom.com platform, increasing its processing power from five orders a second to at least 500 a second. This will be crucial to accomplishing its stated goal of boosting its incremental revenues to USD 2 billion.

This past year, the Rack introduced a next-day buy online, pick up in store service for transactions on its own website and on nordstrom.com. And consumers are taking full advantage of it, according to Rack president Geevy Thomas. “During our Anniversary Sale — which the Rack is not a part of — 40% of our next-day BOPIS orders for Nordstrom were picked up in a Rack store.”

The retailer also created a shared inventory that allows brick-and-mortar stores to fulfil online orders and it introduced a ship-to-store option. Additionally, the Rack has long accepted returns for any Nordstrom purchase. “But now you can get your Rack returns processed at Nordstrom, so we’re really making it seamless for customers,” he added.

Digital also can help the retailer make deeper in-roads with Gen Z and Millennial customers. Indeed, the Rack continues to serve as an access point for new customers, who often graduate to the full-line store. That’s one reason the company continues to position the two banners in close physical proximity.

Compared to others in the off-price channel, Nordstrom Rack has one of the smallest store counts, but it has a unique advantage in how it can work with brands. Competitors don’t have a full-price business. The majority of Nordstrom’s buyers buy for both the full-price channel and the off-price channel. So when they’re talking to a designer in the showroom, they’re talking about how to maximize this product in full price and how to get another bite at the apple in off-price.

Rack facts:

• 80% of the brands at Nordstrom are carried in Rack stores.
• USD 350 million+ in returns from Nordstrom were processed in Rack stores.
• 2.2 million+ Nordstrom Rack apps have been downloaded since 2019.
• 80% of Nordstrom managers started as Rack managers.

Nordstrom Rack Rides the Digital Wave

What: An interview of the largest Thai supermarket chain e-commerce and digital director.

Why it is important: In addition to the numbers, 2 elements seem interesting: they are maximizing the profitability of their fulfilment centres by opening stores in the warehouse allowing to decrease waste and sell products on site, and, since they are not satisfied with their Information System, they plan to build one in-house and sell it to other retailers afterwards.

Central Food Retail represented in 2020 a turnover of €2.1 bn achieved in more than 1,000 stores of 1,400 sqm on average. E-commerce now represents 10% of this turnover, achieved in e-commerce only (no marketplace). They sell online more than 40,000 skus (25,000 from stores and 15,000 from their 2 dedicated warehouse).

On average, orders represent €33 with 20 items in the basket, significantly above the market average, and occur twice a month. Central Group retail is able to fulfil from stores (62%) or from its 68 online hubs (38%) and deliver within 25 minutes. Once stores have to fulfil a level of more than 250 orders a day, fulfilment is then performed from the online hubs.

Regarding their 2 fulfilment centres, since they are dealing with fresh goods with limited time life, they are now testing a small store located at the front of them to maximize profitability and reduce waste.

Thai market has some specificities:

• Their fulfilment model works mainly manually thanks to the cheap cost of labour. As a consequence, automatization would be difficult to be made profitable,
• Deliveries are charged €1.6 for orders less than €23 and €2.2 for 1 hour express ones. Interestingly, the express delivery fee is the same independently of the amount. They also offer a 25 mn super express delivery, which is fulfilled only with stores and delivered through third parties.

For the CDO, challenges are:

• How to increase NPS and reach a target of 70
• How to technically stay on par with the volume of activities. The current systems are not adequate with their needs, and Central plans to build its own in-house solution (and sell it)
• Increase scale and capacity now that the online model is profitable (again, thanks to the cheap labour costs in Thailand).

The Thai example of Central Food Retail - Understanding the elements of online profitability

What: The annual Nordstrom Anniversary sale uses a scarcity strategy in order to strengthen customer excitement and engagement.

Why it’s important: By selling more brands but fewer items, offering new services and experiences and contributing to strengthening customer engagement, the luxury department has established compelling merchandise.

Every year, Nordstrom’s Anniversary event lasts about a month and is staged across the entire Nordstrom 100-unit department store fleet, and its website.

This year, one hundred brands were added to the assortment and discounts of 25 to 40 percent were given to Nordstrom’s most loyal customers.

However, designers and brands are selling much fewer items, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity for everyone.

Nordstrom’s Perennial Blockbuster - The Anniversary Sale