Pros
Nordstrom focuses on Customer Service. If you want to enter any other field where that's important, getting some time in at Nordstrom can be a big help as that's what the company is known for. I've been with the company for a couple years now and of any clothing retailer, Nordstrom is the best that I've found. (Especially considering it deals mainly in luxury goods such as designer handbags, dresses, shoes and clothing.) The people at the store are especially good. You'll always have those random weirdos that slip through the cracks in HR but they're all mostly good. Also lots of opportunity for advancement if you like what you do. You can go to another store and even become a buyer or work for corporate headquarters in Seattle.
Cons
It's retail. The flexible schedule can be a benefit sometimes and other times it'll bite you in the ass. Good luck getting good shifts if you aren't personable and a good seller, too. Plum shifts are reserved for those who're top sellers (but again, it's retail and that's what retail is all about). Also, the current store OPM store manager seems kind of weak. He's a nice guy and all but he's totally non-confrontational so lots of people get away with murder that shouldn't. And he definitely seems to have his favorites. Favoritism abounds, which isn't a bad thing if you're one of them.