Nordstrom launches Canada-specific site

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Apr 7, 2020

Nordstrom announced on Monday the official launch of an e-commerce platform for its customers across the border. 

More than five years after entering Canada with its first retail store, the fashion retailer has launched its Canadian e-commerce platform at Nordstrom.ca. 

The localized e-commerce website offers customers new services like free standard shipping and returns, duty free purchases in Canadian currency, online gift card purchases and the chance to join and benefit from the Nordy Club online. 

The website will feature the retailers usual offering of notable luxury brands, as well as more local brands geared towards the Canadian market. 

The news comes after Nordstrom temporarily closed its stores across the country on March 17, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nordstrom initially said it would close for two weeks, however, stores will now remain closed indefinitely. 

The retailer is hoping the new website will boost sales amid the Covid-19 crisis, which it very well could considering that its online business represented one-third of fiscal 2019 sales.

Still, Nordstrom has noted on its website that due to the increased order volumes and the impact of Covid-19, it may take longer than usual for orders to arrive. The website also states that store and curb-side pickup has been halted temporarily amid the pandemic.

The Seattle-based retailer opened its first Canadian store in September of 2014, at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary, and today operates six full line locations, following openings in Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto. 

Meanwhile, its first discount Rack store opened in March 2018, at Vaughan Mills mall, north of Toronto, and has quickly grown to include a total of seven locations across the country. 

Nordstrom exited fiscal 2019 with a healthy balance sheet, including $853 million of cash. Though there’s no doubt it will take a hit, as its 380 stores across North America remain temporarily close.