Nordstrom may be leaning on its off-price stores to stoke growth — this year the company said it would close two department stores and open 23 Racks. But its anniversary sale, commencing later this month, is all about the full-line business.
The annual event is arguably retail’s other big summertime sale, though it differs from Prime Day — and other traditional department store promotions — in key ways. The sale is open to everyone July 18 to Aug. 9, no card-holding or membership necessary, though cardholders do have earlier access and special deals.
Mostly, though, there are discounts and exclusives on merchandise that won’t otherwise drop until the fall season starts. Nordstrom is also holding in-store events, including downtown block parties in Seattle, Chicago and Portland, Oregon. This year the retailer has released the largest print catalog in its anniversary sale history, “spotlighting key trends and standout items handpicked by Nordstrom’s fashion and beauty experts,” according to a Monday press release.
It’s hard to know how Nordstrom is faring since going private a little over a year ago, though department stores in general are losing out to off price and resale. In 2026 the company has picked up market share — and key executives, including a top merchant — from now-defunct Saks Global (the conglomerate last month exited bankruptcy as Exemplar Luxury Group).
Earlier this year traffic to Nordstrom stores was stable, and to Rack stores was “peer-leading,” according to a March report from Jefferies. Starting in March and through June, though, store visits to Nordstrom steadily declined, according to data from Placer.ai.
