Customer feedback and usability testing drive improved look, feel and technological features designed to better meet customers’ online shopping needs

SEATTLE, Wash. - August 29, 2000 - Nordstrom.com, the online specialty apparel retailer, today announced the launch of its redesigned Web site (www.nordstrom.com), revamped to provide the best combination of fashion selection, functionality and visual appeal for its customers. Presenting a modern, sophisticated look, the newly enhanced site is faster to download and easier to navigate. It also offers improved search capabilities and check-out so that customers can quickly find items from one of the most extensive selections of quality fashionable merchandise available on the Internet.

"Nordstrom.com customers look to us to provide the selection, services and features they value most in an online shopping experience," said Dan Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom.com. "Easy, convenient online shopping with a great selection is what our customers have told us they want. Our new site environment helps us work even harder for our customers to quickly get them what they need, when they need it."

Changes to the site are based on customer feedback from months of usability testing. Findings of the six-month testing period confirmed that Nordstrom.com customers consistently listed three requirements for an excellent e-shopping experience: 1) the ability to shop and search for products with ease, 2) the ability to locate brands quickly, and 3) a fast and straightforward checkout process.

The new Nordstrom.com site improvements include:

• Search functions on every page using AltaVista Search Engine 3.0 to search by keyword, or by advanced searching with item category, descriptors, color, size and price range; searches quickly return results with product images for easy reference.
• A new look and feel with home and landing pages redesigned to incorporate fresh photography highlighting key products and trends, and to create a more visually engaging atmosphere.
• Smooth navigation through a single home page entry into all shopping departments, from shoes and women’s apparel to gifts and men’s attire; one-click return to the home page from any section of the site, and consistent landing page appearance, including page-top navigation tabs.
• Easy registration and checkout with improved instructions, accompanying product images, better address book functionality and express checkout option.
• A "new tag" to indicate items that are new to the site each week, as well as other options such as emailing items to friends, improved “Help” section, and a wish list to save items for later purchase.
• "Specialty shops" for specific categories such as cashmere, leather and comfort apparel that are easy to locate and logically organized.
• Live chat with customer service representatives will be added to the Nordstrom.com site this fall. The live chat feature is designed to provide even greater personal contact and convenience for customers.

About Nordstrom.com

Nordstrom.com, the online fashion specialty retailer, brings a 99-year history of customer service, selection, quality and value to the Internet. Offering one of the Web’s most extensive selections of quality name-brand fashions, shoes and accessories, Nordstrom.com is an enjoyable, convenient online shopping destination designed to meet the needs of each individual customer. Nordstrom.com, which includes the company’s online and catalog businesses, was established as a subsidiary of Nordstrom Inc. in the fall of 1999 when it formally launched NORDSTROMshoes.com, the world's biggest shoe store. Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) is one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers, with 116 stores located in 23 states, including 76 full-line stores, 34 Nordstrom Racks, three Façonnable boutiques, two freestanding shoe stores, and one clearance store.