Nordstrom Opens Massive NYC Store Thursday Despite Struggling Retail Industry

Nordstrom, the luxury department store chain consistently ranked among the "100 Best Companies to Work For,” is defying the retail industry doldrums with the grand opening of its massive new women's flagship store in New York City on Thursday.

Located along 7th Street and Broadway in New York City, the elegant new flagship has seven floors of products and services plus in-store restaurants and bars inside its 320,000 square foot area. Shoes will occupy three of the store's seven floors.

"If you want to be known as a top retailer in North America, you pretty much have to be in New York," according to Peter Nordstrom, the company's co-president along with his brother, Erik.

Nordstrom's biggest move in the Big Apple follows the recent debut of two smaller Nordstrom Local stores: one at the Upper East Side and the other at West Village. It already operates two Nordstrom Rack outposts in Manhattan. Nordstrom opened its first-ever Manhattan men’s store in April 2018.

Founded as a shoe retailer in 1901 by Swedish immigrant William Nordstrom, Nordstrom has since become synonymous with luxury. The New York flagship, however, will go very big on shoes, mainly female shoes, in a thanksgiving to the gender that allowed it to thrive for over a century.

Nordstrom executives admitted shoes will play a starring role in the flagship. Its focus on shoes has always given it a huge edge over its competitors. This and Nordstrom's legendary focus on customer service, its massive product range and flexible prices.

Nordstrom does admit an important part of its winning formula that’s seen it defy the ongoing retail industry slump has been its firm commitment to footwear.

“We’ve hired an incredible team, and have been laser focused on teaching them the essentials of shoe fitting and serving customers the Nordstrom way," said Rickey Osorio-Pizarro, retail director of shoes. "We’ve worked hard to combine our physical and digital assets to make it a seamless experience for the customer.”

Nordstrom has partnered with Christian Louboutin (he of the famous high-end stiletto footwear with the shiny, red-lacquered soles) on a pop-up that greets shoppers as soon as they enter the store. The ground floor will feature limited-edition products in a trendy setting.

The entire second floor is given over to designer shoes with Louboutin getting prime placement in a permanent shop. The Shoe Bar, located one level below the street, is "half cocktail bar, half coffee bar,” said Osorio-Pizarro.

“What’s great is we have a team of bartenders that are not only going to be working at the shoe bar, but they’re going to be out on the floor so customers will be able to order a drink or food in any location. It’s the first time we’ve done anything like it at Nordstrom," according to footwearnews.