SEATTLE, Wash. - September 4, 2002 - Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported preliminary sales of $362.0 million for the four-week period ending August 31, 2002, an increase of 4.0 percent compared to sales of $348.0 million for the four-week period ending September 1, 2001. Same-store sales increased 0.2 percent.

For the full month, same-store sales in full-line stores increased in the Central States geographic region, and decreased in the Northwest, Southwest and East Coast regions. By merchandise division, same-store sales increased in the Bridge, Designer and Contemporary segments of Women's Apparel, as well as Cosmetics, Accessories, Women's Active Wear and Kid's Wear.

Preliminary year-to-date sales of $3.3 billion increased 4.8 percent compared to 2001 year-to-date sales of $3.2 billion. Year-to-date same-store sales increased 0.3 percent.

FUTURE REPORTING DATES
Nordstrom's financial release calendar for the next several months is provided in the table below. Please note that beginning in fiscal 2002 (February), sales are presented and reported according to the 4-5-4 retail calendar, after the market close, on the Wednesday before Retail Sales Day. Quarterly financial results will continue to be reported on a calendar basis.

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 137 US stores located in 26 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 83 full-line stores, 48 Nordstrom Racks, four Façonnable boutiques, one free-standing shoe store, and one clearance store. Nordstrom also operates 23 international Façonnable boutiques, primarily in Europe. Additionally, Nordstrom Direct serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its direct mail catalogs.

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties, including anticipated store openings and distribution channels, planned capital expenditures, and trends in company operations. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the company’s ability to source and manage appropriate inventory, predict fashion trends and consumer apparel buying patterns, and control costs and expenses; weather conditions; hazards of nature such as earthquakes and floods; trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs; employee relations; the company’s ability to continue its expansion plans; and the impact of economic and competitive market forces, including the effects of recent terrorist activity on the company, its customers and the industry. The company’s SEC reports may contain other information on these and other factors, which could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking information we may provide.