NORDSTROM'S CANADIAN PRICES WILL BE HIGHER THAN IN THE US

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Prices in Canada's Nordstrom stores will be higher than those in its American stores. This can be attributed partly to our higher duties and taxes on imports, not to mention our higher fuel costs, labour costs and rent. Nordstrom says, however, that it will not be "undersold" and will offer a price-match guarantee on comparable products by Canadian competitors.

Nordstrom carries many designer labels already carried at competitors Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen and Hudson's Bay. Nordstrom's first Canadian store opens in the fall of 2014 at Calgary's Chinook Centre. We expect 'label wars' as Nordstrom will seek to carry designers carried exclusively at these Canadian retailers.

Nordstrom will start advertising its Canadian arrival this fall, one year before its Calgary opening. It will be hiring Canadian store management and will train them for three months at its Seattle head office.

Nordstrom's Canadian stores will play piped-in modern music in its Canadian stores. This is a departure from the traditional piano players that traditionally graced American Nordstrom stores. In fact, in recent years, Nordstrom has eliminated most in-store piano players to the chagrin of some American shoppers. Ten American Nordstrom stores still have piano players.

Our source for most of this article's information is Marina Strauss of The Globe & Mail. She received this information from announcements made by Nordstrom's Canadian president, Karen McKibbin, during the Retail Council of Canada's Store 2013 conference being held this week in suburban Toronto.

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[Nordstrom Canada website]