SEATTLE (May 22, 2000) - Fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) today announced it has reached an agreement with Urban Shopping Centers, Inc. (NYSE: URB) to build a store at the Houston Galleria as part of the mall’s 700,000 square foot expansion. The Nordstrom store, the first in Houston, will be approximately 225,000 square feet and is expected to open in spring 2003.

"The Houston Galleria is the premier destination for shoppers in Houston so it was a natural fit for us," said Bob Middlemas, executive vice president and general manager of Nordstrom’s central states region. "As the largest city in Texas and one of the fastest growing areas, Houston is a very important community for Nordstrom to join."

Nordstrom opened its first store in Texas at the Dallas Galleria in 1996. This year the company is also opening a store at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco, Texas on August 4. Other stores are planned for North East Mall in Hurst, Texas in spring of 2001; and for North Park Center in Dallas in fall of 2002. The retailer’s national expansion plans over the next few years include such new markets as downtown Chicago (2000), Boca Raton, Fla. (2000), Charlotte, N.C. (2002), Durham, NC (2002), St. Louis, Mo. (2002) and Coral Gables, Fla. (2002).

Nordstrom offers a wide range of apparel for women, men and children, and carries one of the largest selections of shoes available. The company was originally founded as a shoe store in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom. Apparel and accessories were added in the early 1960s.

Nordstrom carries nationally recognized brand names as well as its own exclusive brands, including BCBG Exclusively for Nordstrom, Callaway Golf Apparel, Façonnable, Talora, Classiques Entier, Preview and Halogen.

Nordstrom recently refocused its women's apparel departments to reflect the changing needs of its customers. The retailer has supplemented its strong classic and mainstream offering with more modern and casual merchandise in response to customer feedback. Regional execution teams are responsible for tailoring the merchandise in each store based on the local community's fashion tastes and preferences.

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 106 stores located in 23 states, including 72 full-line stores, 28 Nordstrom Racks, three Façonnable boutiques, two free-standing shoe stores, and one clearance store. The company also seeks to serve customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com as well as with its three direct mail catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Contact:

Paula Weigand, Nordstrom Inc.
(206) 373-3036