Peter Nordstrom on brand partnerships
From Pete Nordstrom: From public to private, Nordstrom’s gains momentum · · The Retail Pilot - Leaders & Legends Podcast
“I think the number one thing is just the relationship with brands. I mean, we're really a house of brands. I mean, less than 10% of what we sell is stuff that we design and make our own our own label. So, we rely on the best brands in the world. And um particularly in the designer and luxury part of it, the the distribution strategy in the country is one about scarcity and they're not going to be everywhere. So if they were having trouble at Sachs and Neman's for whatever reason, whether that's how they executed the at the store level or getting paid or whatever it was, that might create an opportunity for us where they might decide to sell Nordstrom that market rather than Nether Sachs and we were there for that conversation and continue to be as it this all shakes out.”
On , Peter Nordstrom, President, Chief Brand Officer & Director at NORDSTROM INC, spoke about brand partnerships 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.