Luxury retailer Nordstrom announced they are permanently closing 16 of its 117 stores -- one of the stores in San Diego County -- while they restructure during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a press release , the company said the restructuring will save them approximately $150 million.
“We’ve been investing in our digital and physical capabilities to keep pace with rapidly changing customer expectations. The impact of COVID-19 is only accelerating the importance of these capabilities in serving customers,” said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc. in the press release. “More than ever, we need to work with flexibility and speed. Our market strategy helps with both, bringing inventory closer to where customers live and work, allowing us to use our stores as fulfillment centers to get products to customers faster, and connecting digital and physical experiences with services like curbside pickup and returns.”
When stores are slated to re-open, the company stated in the press release that they will do it in phases and will follow the following guidelines to keep everyone safe:
- Conducting health screenings for employees
- Providing face coverings for employees and customers
- Taking steps to allow for social distancing of six feet or more, including limiting the number of customers and employees in the store
- Increasing cleaning and sanitization
- Modifying the fitting room experience
- Continuing to offer contactless curbside services at full-line stores
- Altering hours of operation
- Pausing or adapting high-touch services and customer events
- Keeping tried on or returned merchandise off the salesfloor for a period of time
The company did not identify in the press release which stores they would be closing.
However, 10News reached out to Nordstrom and asked if any San Diego County stores would be shut down and a representative said the location at Westfield North County in Escondido is among the 16 closing.
