Nordstrom has launched a new service that enables customers to make purchases by sending text messages to the sales associate or personal stylist that is serving them. The TextStyle service, as it is called, is available at all of the chain's 116 stores, making Nordstrom, according to the company, the only U.S. retailer to offer customers the option to shop using text.
The new text shopping option follows Nordstrom's launch of NEXT, a "secure one-to-one service" launched by the chain in 2014 that gave customers who prefer communicating via text the ability to do so with store associates.
"TextStyle is an important step forward in our continued efforts to develop ways to serve customers on their terms," said Jamie Nordstrom, president of stores, in a statement. "For customers who prefer text messaging, TextStyle is a way for our salespeople to provide a personalized styling experience and for customers to view and buy seamlessly with the convenience and simplicity of a text message, wherever and whenever they like."
Customers with a NEXT account can opt-in to receive private text messages that contain a description or photo of an item while they are shopping in a Nordstrom store. If they like any of the items recommended by a salesperson, they can make a purchase by replying "buy" and using a unique code. Purchases are completed through the individual's Nordstrom.com account and are shipped directly using the retailer's free standard delivery.