SEATTLE (November 6, 2000) - Last year, many shoppers were introduced to Olive, the Other Reindeer®, the storybook inspiration behind Nordstrom in-store holiday decorations and an Emmy-nominated FOX tv special. Customers of all ages fell in love with the season’s most empowered canine – after all, one can’t help admire the moxie of a little mutt who believes she can fly as well as any of Santa’s reindeer. This year, she rides again…helping to bring good cheer not only to Santa and his team, but to children around the world.

In conjunction with sales of the book in its stores and on NORDSTROM.com, Nordstrom will make a $100,000 donation to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which has established its reputation as a leading worldwide non-profit organization dedicated to funding and conducting scientific research for children with HIV/AIDS. The retailer will donate an additional $1 for every copy of the book purchased in its stores with a Nordstrom credit or Nordstrom Visa card. Nordstrom will also donate $1 to the Foundation for every copy sold of its exclusive, limited-edition “Making Spirits Bright” holiday cd, which features non-traditional arrangements of classic holiday tunes.

"When we were deciding on a storybook holiday theme last year, we knew we wanted to be associated with a character, book and tradition that was going to grow in popularity,” said Linda Finn, Nordstrom vice president of marketing. “This is the second year of our commitment to the Olive holiday theme and we’ve added a number of enhancements this year, including more merchandise and an expanded donation plan to one of the world’s most respected and recognized pediatric AIDS charities."

"We are deeply moved by Nordstrom’s generosity and commitment to the work of the Foundation. By combining their heartwarming message of hope with corporate leadership, they are touching the lives of so many children affected by pediatric HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases," said Janis Spire, Chief Operating Officer of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The retailer says that the exclusive Olive-inspired merchandise it offered last year was so popular with customers last year that it plans to offer an expanded selection this season, including:

• children’s robes and pajamas
• infant/toddler blanket sleepers
• children’s slippers and socks
• Olive plush toy
• women’s pajamas
• Olive city-scape musical snowglobe
• Olive tree ornament (this year Nordstrom will also offer an ornament version of Olive’s penguin sidekick, Mr. Martini, whose likeness also graces its holiday gift cards)
• Olive holiday novelty rug
• live holiday lights, inspired by illustrations in the storybook (the retailer originally created the colorful, whimsical lights as part of its in-store decorations, and decided to offer sets to sell after receiving numerous customer requests to buy them off store displays)

All in all, fans will find ‘Olive’ their favorite things and more at Nordstrom this holiday season in full-line stores nationwide and at www.nordstrom.com.

Editor’s Note: In keeping with its 99-year tradition, Nordstrom will not unveil its holiday decorations until the day after Thanksgiving. Media interested in covering holiday set-up should contact Amy Jones (206) 373-3031.