125-year-old iconic retailer Nordstrom closes more stores, shoppers react
The department-store concept was once a massive shift in retail. Before its development, shopping was a high-pressure transaction where buyers asked clerks for specific items at a counter. And most unimaginable today, leaving without buying anything was considered rude.
Department stores changed shopping forever by introducing browsing, allowing people to look around without any obligation to spend. "Department stores revolutionized commercial transactions," writes Psychology Today, highlighting how direct contact between buyer and seller was no longer necessary.
Today, a true shopping experience depends on the convenience these stores provide: one destination where consumers can browse various brands across multiple price points.
In 2026, however, department stores reflect the state of overall U.S. retail - facing pressure as online platforms expand to offer even more convenience for buyers.
"By 2025, the number of department stores in the U.S. is expected to decline further to 4,678, indicating a long-term contraction in the traditional department store model. This reduction reflects the ongoing transformation in the retail sector, with many stores either closing or shifting to a more e-commerce-focused model," according to Market.us: Department Stores Statistics (2026).
Now, even a retail institution like Nordstrom, with roots dating back more than 125 years, is feeling the impact of these current challenges.
Nordstrom closes two more full-line department stores for good
Nordstrom recently confirmed the closure of its two full-line department stores:
- Nordstrom full-line store Christiana Mall in Delaware
- Nordstrom full-line store at Galleria Dallas Mall in Texas
The first store to close is the one at the Christiana Mall, which shut its doors for good on April 30, and the second store will have its last day some two weeks later, on May 16.
TheStreet retail reporter Fernanda Tronco previously highlighted how these closures followed the January 2026 closure of a Nordstrom Rack store in Portland.
More importantly, these closures were revealed after the Nordstrom family reacquired the company in a partnership with Mexican retail giant El Puerto de Liverpool, in a $6.25 billion deal. The move was huge, as it marks the company's return to private ownership for the first time in 55 years, writes The Detroit News.
"Decisions like this are never easy, and we understand the impact they have on our team members. We're committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, including supporting those who are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom," the retailer spokesperson told Retail Dive.
Why is Nordstrom closing two full-line department stores?
The company spokesperson added that the company believes it will better serve its customers "in both regions by leveraging our surrounding stores and through our digital channels."
Nick Egelanian, president of retail development firm SiteWorks, told Retail Dive that the downsizing is necessary for the department store to thrive.
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Focusing on digital channels makes sense now, when even traditional retail giants such as Walmart are noticing several shifts in customer behavior. As the nation's largest retailer, Walmart's sales directly mirror the entire country's spending habits.
I recently reported how Walmart's latest earnings report reveals that more consumers are changing shopping habits, particularly by shifting more of their spending online. The retailer also noticed how higher-income households earning more than $100,000 are increasingly shopping at Walmart as they prioritize value and savings in an uncertain economy.
As more consumers become value-oriented shoppers, retailers need to adjust their offerings. Even Nordstrom saw this shift, as its final public earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024 revealed a 3.7% decline in net sales for Nordstrom stores and a 1.2% increase for Nordstrom Rack.
To adapt to the shifts in consumer behavior, Nordstrom is shifting its strategy by focusing more on its off-price division, Nordstrom Rack. The retailer plans to open 23 Rack locations in 2026, after opening 23 last year and 22 in 2025.
Nordstrom is benefiting from Saks Global's bankruptcy, analysts say
By shrinking full-line stores and betting on Rack, Nordstrom has adapted its strategy to answer current consumer trends. Its offering, which spans contemporary brands and not just high-end luxury, is appealing to a wider consumer base, as evidenced in the stores' foot traffic last year.
"Visits to Nordstrom (which [MarketWatch notes] will be shifting to private ownership soon) and Bloomingdale's grew by 3.3% and 2.7%, respectively, in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024. Meanwhile, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus - which recently merged - saw their Q1 2025 visits drop by -6.0% and -5.9% YoY, respectively," according to data from Placer.ai.
"Following Saks Global's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in January 2026, along with vendor payment issues and store closures over the past few months, Nordstrom has seen relative gains in customer traffic," writes Fernanda Tronco for TheStreet.
On April 10, 2026, S&P Global officially revised Nordstrom's outlook from "Stable" to "Positive," specifically highlighting how the company is capitalizing on the struggles of its competitors.
"We believe both Nordstrom Inc. and Bloomingdale's are benefiting from the Saks Global bankruptcy, which made luxury inventory available to both. Furthermore, the Nordstrom Rack banner is benefiting from a trade-down from the higher-income cohorts, as well as providing an entry point for middle-income demographics," S&P Global analysts wrote.
Consumers react to Nordstrom's latest closures
After the Dallas closure, the retailer continues to run two other full-line stores in the Dallas area, at NorthPark Center and Stonebriar Centre, as well as several full-line and Rack locations throughout Texas.
However, it is closing its only full-line store in Delaware, and the nearest such location is now more than 40 miles away at the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Despite the evident change in consumer behavior, a number of longtime customers are disappointed for a surprising reason.
Based on discussions across Reddit and Facebook, the sentiment regarding the Nordstrom closures is a mix of disappointment and indifference.
The reason a number of customers are sad to learn about the closure isn't because of the items sold in the store or the brand itself, but because of the loss of the third place, where they used to enjoy a cup of coffee and their dining ritual.
"Their sale racks for off-season stuff could make Marshall's, blush, and they had better quality… the vibe there was always welcoming, the coffee shop downstairs had better brews than the local coffee shops and Starbucks combined, The Grill upstairs was never busy and made better food than most Newcastle county restaurants," Facebook user Leonid Vizelman commented. "When it goes, it will be felt for many people, that place was quality."
"I am so sad about this store closing, the restaurant and coffee shop also! I am a huge Nordstrom fan!" user Nicole Brunner-Craig added.
In line with the trend of value-oriented consumers, a number of commenters weren't saddened at all, highlighting how Nordstrom no longer fits in the current economy.
"With the state of the economy people can't afford a lot and can afford expensive department stores even less. I can see people steering clear of Nordstrom due to the reputation of being pricey compared to other stores around it," Reddit user TheKatsuki15 wrote.
Still, a number of customers are sad to see these full-line stores close for good.
"I loved this store," Donna Lee wrote on Facebook. "My husband bought a beautiful suit there and gorgeous shoes for me years ago."
Reddit users dangerous_pineapple seconds the love for the full-line stores, saying, "I know a lot of people say its expensive, and it can be, but i like going there to buy things like nike, adidas, topshop, etc. Things that i could buy elsewhere for the same price but without the more luxury feeling experience."
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM.