The store manager can make a big difference - Anonymous employee Nordstrom Employee Review

3.0
Oct 29, 2008
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nordstrom is a great place to work if you have excellent people skills, enjoying giving great customer service, and love fashion. Nordstrom only promotes from within so you know that all of the managers and buyers began as sales associates, it also means that there are great opportunities for advancement. Nordstrom has good benefits, medical, dental, and 401K, and also gives clothing discounts to its employees. They have also been known to give free clothes or shoes to employees, depending on your department, in order to market certain items to customers. Working on a commission basis can be a great for people who know how to sell and build a loyal customer base.

Cons

Working at Nordstrom can be very very competitive. Employees may fight for sales in order to get higher commission. The highest selling associates are rewarded with the best schedules and professional advancement. Associates who cannot compete may face loosing their jobs. Expect to work through many holidays. Customers often take advantage of Nordstrom's liberal return policy, and may return items from several years ago or items they have worn. Customers can be demanding and Nordstrom employees are expected to give great customer service at all times. The many returns can lower your paycheck as they come off your commission if you sold the items. It can be a stressful place to work.

Explore other reviews about Nordstrom

5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice office and great perks

Cons

Too hectic and no direction

2.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent base pay, somewhat autonomous, great tip potential.

Cons

The company has changed for the worse since COVID. When I came back the mood of the entire store had shifted. Gone were the days of comradery, customer focus, and taking pride in a job well done. In its place there is a new culture of cutthroat sales, a severe decline in customer focus, and worst of all a new focus on profit over customer satisfaction. When I was told that the amount the store charged for a shoe shine was not enough to do the best job I could for a customer I knew things had gone downhill for the company. Not to mention I watch a manager prey on a mentally disabled person in order to secure a sale, when the person could not understand what was being offered. Sad that such a once great company is now just another greed ridden corporation.

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All