MajorsMar 18, 2024
Claire’s to Launch in 4,400 Walgreens StoresMajorsMar 26, 2024
Nordstrom May Go Private, Says Report
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Nordstrom Men’s Store in New York City. The Seattle-based retailer is looking to go private, according to sources quoted in a recent Reuters report.
New York—Nordstrom may soon go private as its founding family looks for a buyer, according to a Reuters report.
The Seattle-based department store chain attempted to go private in 2017, courting private equity firms, but turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018 due to the “low” price.
Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom and other members of the Nordstrom family own about a 30 percent stake in the retailer.
Sources told Reuters this time around, the retailer reached out to Morgan Stanley and Centerview Partners, requesting the investment banks contact private equity firms about a potential deal.
Nordstrom and Morgan Stanley did not respond to a request for comment while Centerview Partners declined to comment.
Related stories will be right here …
The Seattle-based department store chain attempted to go private in 2017, courting private equity firms, but turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018 due to the “low” price.
Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom and other members of the Nordstrom family own about a 30 percent stake in the retailer.
Sources told Reuters this time around, the retailer reached out to Morgan Stanley and Centerview Partners, requesting the investment banks contact private equity firms about a potential deal.
Nordstrom and Morgan Stanley did not respond to a request for comment while Centerview Partners declined to comment.
The news follows Nordstrom’s fourth-quarter earnings, released March 5.
While the retailer beat expectations, it gave a muted outlook for the coming fiscal year, with revenue expectations of a 2 percent decline to growth of 1 percent, noting this fiscal year will have one less week.
Fourth-quarter sales were up 2 percent year-over-year, but sales at its namesake chain fell 3 percent.
Notably, Nordstrom Rack, its off-price banner, put on the strongest holiday season performance, with sales up 15 percent in Q4, due in part to cost-conscious customers.
Nordstrom ranked No. 12 on National Jeweler’s 2023 “$100 Millon Supersellers” list, with an estimated $613 million in jewelry and watch sales, down from $630 million the previous year.
The retailer operated 359 stores as of February, with plans to open 22 new Nordstrom Rack locations this year.
Fellow retailer Macy’s has been in talks to go private as well, recently receiving a second, even higher buyout offer of $6.6 billion from real estate investment firm Arkhouse Management and asset management firm Brigade Capital Management, though the bids were unsolicited.
Macy’s also has had success with its non-namesake banners, with plans to open more locations for its luxury brands, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury, while it will close 150 Macy’s locations over the next three years.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
