Nordstrom closing

[white Ninja]

Thoughts on the rather sizeable flagship Nordstrom downtown closing ?


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-nordstrom-store-performance-canada-shutdown

 

[oldshark]

Overpriced so the market was limited. I believe they are also having problems in the US.

 

[Ame123]

Never been in the place

 

[luvsdaty]

Never been there. I'm probably not their target though 😅🤣😂

 

[Wakeup]

Apparently van store was most profitable in the chain, 2nd hand info though!

 

[ExpCharlee]

Can’t wait for the liquidation sales

 

[asf_post]

I went there once because I had to use the toilet

 

[Forum mod]

Department stores are dying. HBC is bringing back Zellers as it's the lower end like that, Walmart etc that is thriving, the brick and mortar department store is doomed. On top of this, they had the same issues Target did, poor Canadian distribution, supply chain issues and they came in just before the pandemic hit, which just accelerated the move to online shopping. Only Canadian Tire seems to have it figured out and even they are not really a department store, with the heavy emphasis on automotive, sporting goods and such.

 

[masterpoonhunter]

Very tough to compete with Amazon. Half the shit I buy from them is delivered same day, not that I buy a lot.
Re Nordstrom: foreign to me, been in it a few times with various gal pals. Couldn't understand the concept of paying many 100's if not a few grand for whatever.
But go back over time, Woodwards, Eatons, Sears, etc etc, no doubt soon the Bay, all have had their time. Robson Street too, various malls, its a different era of shopping now.

 

[emacky]

I did manage to get a really nice suit from Nordstrom during the pandemic. It was 40% off at the time. I can't imagine going in there regularly.

 

[rlock]

That location downtown has always been tough - the rent is excessive, and could probably kill any business.
On the news I also saw some business reporter comment that this was not for lack of sales, but that some predatory activist investor was forcing the chain to make this move.
I also heard just randomly that Ikea plans to take that space downtown.


In other "spend those gift cards while you can" news: Bed, Bath & Beyond is going to disappear real soon.

 

[westwoody]

Nordstrom location is hard to figure for Ikea. Furniture buyers need their car to bring stuff home and driving in downtown Van is a PITA.

Department stores like Nordstrom/Bay/Holt all get undercut by outlets. Why buy from a limited selection of Hugo Boss at the Bay when the Hugo Boss outlet has more selection and prices? Online is even better.

 

[87112]

I find it very hard to buy pants online.
Example if I am at the store I try on several of the pants that are same waist and inseam.
They don't feel the same. Some are tighter. Looser. It feels like whatever methods jeans and pants makers use simply don't make them completely uniform.
Shirts and jackets are better made size perfection.
Pants and Jeans no way. I have to try on and won't do online purchase.

I really can't be the only one that feels that way.

 

[westwoody]

It feels like whatever methods jeans and pants makers use simply don't make them completely uniform.

Some companies use more subcontractors than others, and have inconsistent sizing as a result.
My GF has a hell of a time with Calvin Klein sizing. A CK hoodie can be XL and the same dimensions as an M. Trying things on is best.

 

[happymoments]

All very good interesting comments...

I`m with Charlee tho, can't wait for the liquidation sales to begin and I'll take a peek....

What they do with the location afterwards will be interesting... especially with the high rental cost and taxes this city is pushing onto everyone should make it very interesting times

 

[paulal]

American retailers don't know how to do Canada. First Target, now Nordstrom's. They made zero effort to adapt to Canada. To all the folks claiming that department stores are dead in the 2020s, make a little visit to Simon's and tell them they are failing, because while recording record sales and profits, they can't quite grasp your thinking.

 

[white Ninja]

American retailers don't know how to do Canada. First Target, now Nordstrom's. They made zero effort to adapt to Canada. To all the folks claiming that department stores are dead in the 2020s, make a little visit to Simon's and tell them they are failing, because while recording record sales and profits, they can't quite grasp your thinking.

I’ve heard this said before, but I’m curious what the big difference is between Canadian and American retailers ?

 

[white Ninja]

Some companies use more subcontractors than others, and have inconsistent sizing as a result.
My GF has a hell of a time with Calvin Klein sizing. A CK hoodie can be XL and the same dimensions as an M. Trying things on is best.

agreed , from one company to the next the fit and even the reality of the sizes can really vary in a big way . Only safe bet is if you already know the company and are familiar with the fit .

 

[white Ninja]

I find it very hard to buy pants online.
Example if I am at the store I try on several of the pants that are same waist and inseam.
They don't feel the same. Some are tighter. Looser. It feels like whatever methods jeans and pants makers use simply don't make them completely uniform.
Shirts and jackets are better made size perfection.
Pants and Jeans no way. I have to try on and won't do online purchase.

I really can't be the only one that feels that way.

I guess I’m old fashioned but I still like to try it on . See how it fits , see how I feel , and if Inlike it , experience the rush of deciding to buy and take it home it in that exact moment .

 

[white Ninja]

That location downtown has always been tough - the rent is excessive, and could probably kill any business.
On the news I also saw some business reporter comment that this was not for lack of sales, but that some predatory activist investor was forcing the chain to make this move.
I also heard just randomly that Ikea plans to take that space downtown.


In other "spend those gift cards while you can" news: Bed, Bath & Beyond is going to disappear real soon.

What about breaking it up into separate spaces so the rent isn’t so overwhelming ?