Bruce Nordstrom, Former Department Store Head, Dies at 90

Bruce Nordstrom, a retail executive who played a key role in transforming his family’s department store chain into a prestigious national brand, has passed away.

The Seattle Times reported that Nordstrom was 90 upon his death. He was part of the third generation of family leadership who helped expand the family-owned business throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California in the 1970s.

A statement from his sons Pete Nordstrom, the store’s current president, and Erik Nordstrom, its CEO, reads, “Our dad will be remembered not only for his significant contributions to Nordstrom but also for his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. His passion, integrity and tireless work ethic served as an inspiration to everyone around him. But perhaps his greatest achievement was being an amazing father, husband and grandfather.”

The chain traces back to a Seattle shoe store opened by Swedish immigrant John Nordstrom and a partner in 1901. Bruce Nordstrom and other members of the family-run business took the reins in 1968.

Subsequently, Nordstrom went public in 1971. The company would debut its lower-priced Nordstrom Rack stores in the lower level of the downtown Seattle Nordstrom store in 1973. The first stand-alone Nordstrom Rack opened in 1983 in Clackamas, Oregon.

Time Magazine reported that Nordstrom was born on Oct. 1, 1933, in Seattle. His parents were Libby and Everett Nordstrom. Everett was one of three brothers who took over their father’s Seattle shoe store in 1928.

1963, with Bruce Nordstrom at the helm, Nordstrom acquired Seattle-based Best Apparel and named the combined stores Nordstrom Best. Nordstrom would later add men’s and children’s apparel.

Bruce Nordstrom retired from his executive role in 1995. He retired as chairman of Nordstrom’s board of directors in 2006.

A 2023 company statement revealed that Nordstrom continues to operate 360 stores in the U.S., including 93 Nordstrom stores, 258 Nordstrom Rack stores, two clearance stores, and six Nordstrom Local service hubs. That same year, Nordstrom and its sister brand Nordstrom Rack closed a combined 15 stores across the U.S. and Canada. Thirteen of the closed stores were located in Canada, and two were in the U.S.

Nordstrom is survived by his sons, wife Jeannie, sister Anne Gittinger, and seven grandchildren.