NORDSTROM CAPS TOUGH YEAR WITH HOLIDAY SALES DROP

Nordstrom Inc. reported a sharp drop in holiday sales, but the worst could be behind it as it says demand has continued to strengthen in the new year. Net sales tumbled about 22 per cent during the nine-week holiday period ended Jan. 2 compared to last year. The firm said its November and December sales were in line with expectations for the fourth quarter. The department-store sector had a difficult 2020, with store closures and demand for more online fulfilment driving shoppers to websites like Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc. Nordstrom was able to pick up more digital shoppers this holiday, too, accounting for 54 per cent of total sales compared with 34 per cent from the same period in 2019, but incremental customer spending went disproportionately to online and big-box retailers this season.