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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

   
(Mark One)  
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003
   
OR
   
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the transition period from           to           

Commission file number 0-6074

Nordstrom, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Washington   91-0515058
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
1617 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington   98101
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 206-628-2111

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
    Name of each exchange
Title of each class   on which registered

 
Common Stock, without par value   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES    X    NO        

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act 12b-2). YES    X    NO        

     As of July 31, 2002 the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $1.8 billion using the closing sales price on this day of $18.90.

     On March 17, 2003, 135,457,544 shares of common stock were outstanding.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1.  Portions of Nordstrom, Inc. Annual Report to Shareholders for fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 are incorporated into Parts I, II and IV

2.  Portions of Proxy Statement for 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May 20, 2003 are incorporated into Part III

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Business.
Item 2. Properties.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Item 14. Controls and Procedures.
Item 15. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
PART IV
Item 16. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATIONS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Exhibit Index
EXHIBIT 3.2
EXHIBIT 10.39
EXHIBIT 10.40
EXHIBIT 10.41
EXHIBIT 10.42
EXHIBIT 10.43
EXHIBIT 10.44
EXHIBIT 13.1
EXHIBIT 21.1
EXHIBIT 99.1
EXHIBIT 99.2


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

           
      Page
     
PART I
       
 
Item 1.Business
    4  
 
Item 2.Properties
    10  
 
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
    11  
 
Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    11  
PART II
       
 
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
    11  
 
Item 6.Selected Financial Data
    12  
 
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
    12  
 
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    12  
 
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
    14  
 
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    14  
PART III
       
 
Item 10.Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
    14  
 
Item 11.Executive Compensation
    14  
 
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
    15  
 
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
    15  
 
Item 14.Controls and Procedures
    15  
 
Item 15.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
    15  
PART IV
       
 
Item 16.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
    16  
Signatures
    23  
Certifications
    24  
Independent Auditors’ Consent And Report On Schedule
    26  
Schedule II — Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
    27  
Exhibit Index
    28  

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PART I

Item 1. Business.

We incorporated in the State of Washington in 1946 as the successor to a retail shoe business that started in 1901. As of January 31, 2003, we operated 88 large specialty stores, selling a wide selection of apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children.

We also operated 48 stores under the name “Nordstrom Rack” and one clearance store under the name “Last Chance.” The Nordstrom Rack stores purchase merchandise directly from manufacturers, as well as serving, in part, as outlets for clearance merchandise from our large specialty stores.

We also operated one free-standing shoe store under the name “Nordstrom” and five Specialty Boutiques under the name “Façonnable”. As a result of the acquisition of Façonnable, S.A. of Nice, France in October 2000, we also operated 23 Façonnable boutiques located primarily in Europe. Façonnable is a wholesaler and retailer of high quality men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.

In March 2003, we opened one large specialty store in Houston, Texas. In addition, we plan to open large specialty stores in Richmond, Virginia; Austin, Texas and Wellington Green, Florida as well as Nordstrom Rack stores in Chicago, Illinois and Sunrise, Florida during fiscal 2003.

The west coast and the east coast of the United States are the markets in which we have the largest presence. An economic downturn or other significant event within one of these markets may have a material effect on our operating results.

We purchase merchandise from many suppliers, no one of which accounted for more than 2% of 2002 net purchases. We believe that we are not dependent on any one supplier, and consider our relations with our suppliers to be satisfactory.

We have approximately 99 registered trademarks. The loss or abandonment of the Federally registered names “Nordstrom” or “Façonnable” would materially impact our business. The loss or abandonment of the Federally registered trademarks “Brass Plum”, “Baby N”, “Caslon”, “Classiques Entier”, “Frenchi”, “Halogen” and “Rubbish” may impact our business, but not in a material manner. With the exception of the above-mentioned Federally registered trademarks, the loss or abandonment of any particular trademark would have little, if any, impact on our business.

Due to our anniversary sale in July and holidays in December, sales are higher in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year than in the first and third quarters. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003, we regularly employed on a full or part-time basis an average of approximately 44,000 employees. Due to the seasonal nature of our business, employment increased to approximately 52,000 employees in July 2002 and 48,000 in December 2002.

Our business is highly competitive. Our stores compete with other national, regional and local retail establishments within our operating areas which carry similar lines of merchandise, including department stores, specialty stores, boutiques, and mail order and Internet businesses. Our specific competitors vary from market to market. We believe the principal methods of competing in our industry include customer service, value, quality of product, fashion, advertising, store location and depth of selection.

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Item 1. Business (continued).

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may read and copy any material we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Our Internet website is http://www.nordstrom.com. We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. We also expect to post on our website the code of business conduct and ethics that we adopt for our directors, officers and employees, as well as waivers and amendments.

Certain other information required under Item 1 is contained within the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis
 
    Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 19: Segment Reporting in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 21: Nordstrom.com in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Retail Store Facilities

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

                         
                Officer   Family
Name   Age   Title   Since   Relationship

 
 
 
 
Jammie Baugh     50     Executive Vice President     1990     None
                         
Laurie M. Black     44     Executive Vice President     1997     None
                         
Mark S. Brashear     41     Executive Vice President     2001     None
                         
James H. Bromley     39     Executive Vice President and President of Nordstrom Direct, Inc.     2002     None
                         
Dale Cameron     54     Executive Vice President     1985     None
                         
Robert E. Campbell     47     Vice President and Treasurer     1999     None
                         
Linda Toschi Finn     55     Executive Vice President     1998     None
                         
Kevin T. Knight     47     Executive Vice President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nordstrom fsb, and President of Nordstrom Credit, Inc.     1998     None
                         
Michael G. Koppel     46     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer     1999     None
                         
Llynn (Len) A. Kuntz     42     Executive Vice President     1998     None
                         
David L. Mackie     54     Vice President     1994     None
                         
Robert J. Middlemas     46     Executive Vice President     1993     None
                         
Blake W. Nordstrom     42     President     1991     Brother of Erik B. and Peter E. Nordstrom; son of Bruce A. Nordstrom, a Director of the Company; and nephew of D. Wayne Gittinger, a Director of the Company.
                         
Bruce A. Nordstrom     69     Chairman of the Board of Directors     1966     Father of Blake W., Erik B. and Peter E. Nordstrom; cousin of John N. Nordstrom, a Director of the Company and Brother-in-law of D. Wayne Gittinger, a Director of the Company.
                         
Erik B. Nordstrom     39     Executive Vice President     1995     Brother of Blake W. and Peter E. Nordstrom; son of Bruce A. Nordstrom, a Director of the Company; and nephew of D. Wayne Gittinger, a Director of the Company.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)

                         
                Officer   Family
Name   Age   Title   Since   Relationship

 
 
 
 
Peter E. Nordstrom     41     Executive Vice President     1995     Brother of Blake W. and Erik B. Nordstrom; son of Bruce A. Nordstrom, a Director of the Company; and nephew of D. Wayne Gittinger, a Director of the Company.
                         
James R. O’Neal     44     Executive Vice President     1997     None
                         
R. Michael Richardson     46     Vice President and Chief Information Officer     2001     None
                         
K.C. (Karen) Shaffer     49     Executive Vice President     2001     None
                         
Joel T. Stinson     53     Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer     1996     None
                         
Delena M. Sunday     42     Executive Vice President     1998     None
                         
Geevy S.K. Thomas     38     Executive Vice President     1998     None

Jammie Baugh was named Executive Vice President Full-line Stores Human Resources in November 2002. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President Human Resources from February 2000 to November 2002, Executive Vice President and Northwest General Manager from May 1997 to February 2000, Executive Vice President and General Manager Southern California from 1991 to May 1997, and Vice President and General Manager Southern California from 1990 to 1991.

Laurie M. Black was named Executive Vice President and President of Nordstrom Rack in December 2001. Prior to that, she served as Vice President and Corporate Merchandise Manager for Specialized from May 2000 to December 2001, as Vice President and Northwest Divisional Merchandise Manager for Specialized and Accessories from April 1999 to April 2000, and as Vice President and Northwest/Southwest Divisional Merchandise Manager for Specialized from February 1997 to March 1999. Prior to that, Ms. Black held various merchandise management positions within the Company since 1988.

Mark S. Brashear was named Executive Vice President and President of Façonnable in December 2001. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Southwest General Manager of the Full-line Store Group from February 2001 to December 2001, as Division Vice President and Strategic Planning Manager of the Southwest Business Unit from April 1999 to February 2001, and as Strategic Planning Manager for California and the Southwest from February 1998 to April 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Brashear held various store management positions with the Company.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)

James H. Bromley was named Executive Vice President of the Company on July 16, 2002, and President of Nordstrom Direct, Inc. on July 16, 2002. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nordstrom.com, Inc. from May 2000 to July 2002. Prior to joining Nordstrom, Mr. Bromley served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Multiple Zones International, a supplier of computer products and services, from June 1999 to May 2000. From May 1998 to May 1999, he served as Managing Director at McDonald Investments, and from March 1996 to May 1998 he served as Managing Director at Dain Rauscher.

Dale Cameron was named Executive Vice President in February 1998, and served as Vice President from March 1985 to February 1998. In addition, Ms. Cameron has served as Corporate Cosmetics Merchandise Manager since April 1976. Prior to that, she held various department manager and buyer positions with us.

Robert E. Campbell was named Vice President Strategy and Planning and Treasurer in May 1999. Prior to that, he was involved with corporate strategy and planning and was responsible for the Company’s investor relations function since March 1998, and served as Manager of Financial Analysis since February 1997. Prior to joining us, Mr. Campbell served in a number of financial positions with restaurant and retail companies based on the West Coast.

Linda Toschi Finn was named Executive Vice President Marketing in September 2000. She was promoted to Vice President and Marketing Director for the Full-line Store Group in October 1999. Ms. Finn has been responsible for the development of the Company’s marketing strategies since February 1998 when she was named Vice President of Sales Promotion. Prior to that, she held various management positions with the Company in the areas of corporate advertising and sales promotion.

Kevin T. Knight has been an Executive Vice President of Nordstrom, Inc. since September 2000, and also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nordstrom fsb, President of Nordstrom Credit, Inc., and, as of February 2000, President of Nordstrom Credit Group. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Nordstrom, Inc. and President of Nordstrom fsb (formerly Nordstrom National Credit Bank), President of Nordstrom Credit, Inc., and General Manager of the credit business unit since April 1998. Prior to joining us, he was Senior Vice President of Retailer Financial Services, a unit of General Electric Capital Corporation, since 1995. Prior to that, he held various positions with General Electric since 1977.

Michael G. Koppel was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in May 2001. Prior to that he served as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer from August 1999 to May 2001. Prior to joining us, Mr. Koppel served as Chief Operating Officer of CML Group, a specialty retail holding company. From 1997 through 1998, he was Chief Financial Officer of Lids Corporation, a mall based specialty retailer, and from 1984 through 1997 he held a number of financial positions with the May Department Stores, most recently as Vice President-Controller of its Filenes division.

Llynn (Len) A. Kuntz was named Executive Vice President and Washington/Alaska Regional Manager in November 2001. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Northwest General Manager of the Full-line Store Group from February 2001 to November 2001, as Vice President and Director of the Full-line Store Strategy Group from May 1999 to February 2001, as Vice President and East Coast Regional Manager from February 1998 to May 1999, and as General Manager of the Northeast Region from 1995 to February 1998.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)

David L. Mackie was named Vice President Real Estate and Corporate Secretary in December 2002. Prior to that, he served as Vice President Real Estate and Legal Affairs from February 2002 to November 2002, as Vice President Real Estate from April 1994 to January 2002, as Corporate Manager of Legal, Tax and Real Estate from February 1985 to March 1994, and as Corporate Tax Manager from September 1983 to January 1985.

Robert J. Middlemas was named Executive Vice President and Central States Regional Manager in November 2001. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Central States General Manager from November 1997 to November 2001, and as Vice President and Central States General Manager from 1993 to November 1997.

Blake W. Nordstrom was named President of the Company in August 2000. From February 2000 until his appointment as President, he served as Executive Vice President and President of Nordstrom Rack. Prior to that, he served as Co-President responsible for credit, community relations, operations, shoes and Nordstrom Rack business units since June 1995 and as Vice President and General Manager Washington/Alaska since 1991.

Bruce A. Nordstrom was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in August 2000. He has served as a Director of the Company since 1966, and served as Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1971 until 1995. Mr. Nordstrom is the grandson of our founder and, with his cousins John N. Nordstrom and James F. Nordstrom and his former brother-in-law John A. McMillan, he assumed leadership of the Company from the second generation in 1968.

Erik B. Nordstrom was named Executive Vice President Full-line Stores in August 2000. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Northwest General Manager since February 2000, as Co-President responsible for Nordstrom Product Group since June 1995 and as Store/Regional Manager — Minnesota since 1992.

Peter E. Nordstrom was named Executive Vice President and President of Full-line Stores in September 2000. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Director of Full-line Store Merchandise Strategy for children’s apparel, cosmetics, junior apparel, lingerie, hosiery, men’s apparel and women’s active wear since February 2000, as Co-President responsible for sales promotion, human resources, and diversity affairs since June 1995, and as Regional Manager of the Orange County area since 1991.

James R. O’Neal was named Executive Vice President and President of Nordstrom Product Group in December 2001. From August 2000 until December 2001 he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the East Coast. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Southwest General Manager since November 1997, as Vice President — Northern California since February 1997, as General Manager Northern California from 1995 to 1997, and as City Regional Manager from 1993 to 1995.

R. Michael Richardson was named Vice President and Chief Information Officer in February 2001. Prior to that, he served as Chief Information Officer since September 2000. From April 2000 to September 2000 Mr. Richardson was not employed by the Company. Prior to his departure from us, he served as Division Vice President of Enterprise Development and Architecture since October 1998, and as IT Development Manager of the Nordstrom Product Group since October 1997. Mr. Richardson has also served as IT Development Manager for various corporate departments since 1992.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant (continued)

K.C. (Karen) Shaffer was named Executive Vice President and Nordstrom Rack Northwest Regional Manager in December 2001. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President and Nordstrom Rack General Merchandise Manager from February 2001 to December 2001, as Division Vice President and Nordstrom Rack Northwest Regional Manager from April 1999 to February 2001, and as Nordstrom Rack Northwest Regional Manager from June 1998 to April 1999. Prior to that, Ms. Shaffer held various management positions with the Company at the department, store and regional levels.

Joel T. Stinson was named Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer in September 2000. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Operations since May 1995 and as Corporate Operations Manager since 1993. Mr. Stinson is retiring from the Company on May 15, 2003.

Delena M. Sunday was named Executive Vice President Human Resources and Diversity Affairs in November 2002. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President of Diversity Affairs from September 2000 to November 2002, Vice President of Diversity Affairs from February 1998 to September 2000, and Director of Diversity Affairs from 1996 to February 1998. Prior to that, Ms. Sunday held various management positions with the Company at the store and regional levels.

Geevy S.K. Thomas was named Executive Vice President and South Regional Manager in November 2001. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager of Full-line Stores from February 2001 to November 2001, as Executive Vice President of Full-line Stores and Director of Merchandising Strategy from February 2000 to February 2001, as Vice President and Director of Merchandising Strategy from May 1999 to February 2000, as Vice President and Regional Manager of Orange County and Los Angeles from February 1998 to May 1999, and as General Manager of Los Angeles from February 1997 to February 1998. Prior to February 1997, Mr. Thomas held various general, regional and store management positions with us.

The officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors following each year’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Item 2. Properties.

The following table summarizes the number of retail stores owned or operated by us, and the percentage of total store area represented by each listed category at January 31, 2003:

                 
    Number of   % of total store
    stores   square footage
   
 
Owned stores
    29       25 %
Leased stores
    97       32  
Owned on leased land
    38       41  
Partly owned & partly leased
    2       2  
 
   
     
 
 
    166       100 %
 
   
     
 

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Item 2. Properties. (continued)

We also operate 6 merchandise distribution centers located throughout the U.S., which are utilized by the Retail Stores segment, all of which are owned. The Catalog/Internet segment utilizes one fulfillment center, which is owned on leased land. Our administrative offices in Seattle, Washington are a combination of leased and owned space. We lease the office building in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area that serves as the principal offices of Nordstrom fsb and Nordstrom Credit, Inc.

Certain other information required under this item is included in the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Note 13: Land, Buildings and Equipment in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 16: Leases in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Retail Store Facilities

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

The information required under this item is included in the following section of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Note 23: Contingent Liabilites in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

    None

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

Our Common Stock, without par value, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JWN.” The approximate number of holders of Common Stock as of March 17, 2003 was 75,717.

Certain other information required under this item with respect to stock prices and dividends is included in the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
    Note 17: Stock-based Compensation in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement
 
    Note 24: Selected Quarterly Data (unaudited) in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis
 
    Note 2: Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 3: Acquisition in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 20: Restructurings, Impairments, and Other One-Time Charges in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 21: Nordstrom.com in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Eleven-Year Statistical Summary

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

The information required under this item is included in the following section of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. In seeking to minimize risk, we manage exposure through our regular operating and financing activities. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and are not party to any leveraged financial instruments.

Interest rate exposure is managed through our mix of fixed and variable rate borrowings. Short-term borrowing and investing activities generally bear interest at variable rates, but because they have maturities of three months or less, we believe that the risk of material loss is low, and that the carrying amount approximated fair value.

In addition, we have outstanding at January 31, 2003 a $250 million 5.625% fixed-rate debt converted to variable rate through the use of an interest rate swap. Subsequent to January 31, 2003, we sold the interest rate swap and received cash of $2.3 million, which will be recognized as interest income evenly over the remaining life of the related debt.

In the third quarter of 2002, we sold the interest rate swap that converted our $300 million, 8.95% fixed-rate debt to variable rate. We received cash of $4.9 million, which will be recognized as interest income evenly over the remaining life of the related debt.

The table below presents information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, which consist of debt obligations and interest rate swaps for the year ended January 31, 2003. For debt obligations, the table presents principal amounts, at book value, by maturity date, and related weighted average interest rates. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted average interest rates by expected (contractual) maturity dates. Notional amounts are the predetermined dollar principal on which the exchanged interest payments are based.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

                                                                     
                                                                Fair value
                                                        Total at   of liabilities
Dollars in                                                   January 31,   January 31,
thousands   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   Thereafter   2003   2003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
Fixed
$ 5,545     $ 5,032     $ 403,554     $ 303,958     $ 4,045     $ 625,237     $ 1,347,371     $ 1,443,000  
 
Avg. int. rate
    6.1 %     6.6 %     8.4 %     4.9 %     8.4 %     6.6 %     6.7 %        
 
Interest rate swap Fixed to variable
                                $ 250,000     $ 250,000     $ 3,000  
   
Avg. pay rate
                                  3.3 %     3.3 %        
   
Avg. receive rate
                                  5.6 %     5.6 %        

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The majority of our revenue, expense and capital expenditures are transacted in United States dollars. However, we periodically enter into foreign currency purchase orders for apparel and shoes denominated in Euros. We use forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency prices. There were no forward contracts outstanding as of January 31, 2003. The use of derivatives is limited to only those financial instruments that have been authorized by our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

In addition, the functional currency of Faconnable, S.A.S. of Nice, France is the Euro. Assets and liabilities of Faconnable are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the end of the period. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at an average exchange rate during the period. Foreign currency gains and losses from the translation of Faconnable’s balance sheet and income statement are included in other comprehensive earnings. Foreign currency gains or losses from certain intercompany loans are recorded in service charge income and other, net.

We considered the potential impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates and we believe that such a change would not have a material impact on our cash flows of financial instruments that are sensitive to foreign currency exchange risk. The model measured the change in cash flows arising from the 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates, and covered long-term debt denominated in Euros.

Certain other information required under this item is included in the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 7: Investment in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 14: Notes Payable in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 15: Long-Term Debt in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 16: Leases in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Note 22: Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report:

    Consolidated Statements of Earnings
 
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
    Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    Independent Auditors’ Report

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

    None

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The information required under this item with respect to our Directors and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is included in the following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year:

    Election of Directors
 
    Compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 1934

The information required under this item with respect to our Executive Officers is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1 of this report under “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required under this item is included in the following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year:

    Compensation of Executive Officers in the Year Ended January 31, 2003
 
    Compensation and Stock Option Committee Report on the Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2003
 
    Stock Price Performance
 
    Compensation of Directors

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

The information required under this item is included in the following section of our Proxy Statement for our 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year: