Peter Nordstrom on artificial intelligence
From Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum · · The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends Podcast
“I think it starts with everyone's level of comfort that AI is here. It is a tool. There is things that we can use it for and then trying to find out what those things are. I It's not just something that lives in tech and then they tell you what to go do. There clearly is a tech part of it. But I it just it reminds me a little bit of decades ago when all of a sudden like computers became the thing and then we had to have a computer on our desk and it's like how the heck do you work this and I don't really need this and but anyone that said stuff like that they got left behind. So I mean I guess we all feel like here's a technology tool that we're not entirely sure where we're going to get the value from but there's no doubt we need to embrace the possibilities of that technology.”
On , Peter Nordstrom, President, Chief Brand Officer & Director at NORDSTROM INC, spoke about artificial intelligence during Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum on The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends Podcast.
About Peter Nordstrom
In a series of podcast appearances in April and May 2026, Pete Nordstrom discussed Nordstrom's transition to private ownership, completed in May 2025, and the company's strategic direction. He described the public company model as a "morale buster," noting that the company's stock price was low despite strong business performance, which he characterized as being "the best house in a bad neighborhood." Nordstrom stated that going private has changed governance and reduced time spent on compulsory public company requirements. He said the company vetted multiple options, including private equity and strategic partners, before selecting a partnership with Liverpool. Nordstrom addressed several operational topics. He said Nordstrom is opening 25 Rack stores in the current year and expressed interest in building the capability to open more. He compared the Rack's potential to TJ Maxx's 2,500 stores, suggesting Nordstrom could eventually have 300 to 500 Rack locations. On the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger, Nordstrom said it created an opportunity for Nordstrom to strengthen relationships with luxury brands. He described the company's failed Canada expansion as a "biggest black eye" and said that, given a "do-over," the company would not have entered Canada. On downtown Seattle, Nordstrom said the company does less business and makes less money there while paying more taxes, adding that the company wants to see returns on those taxes. He also said it is "quite likely" that in the foreseeable future there will not be a Nordstrom serving as CEO.