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Bruce Nordstrom, Former Retail Chair, Has Died

Nordstrom was instrumental in the Seattle department store chain’s expansion and 1971 initial public offering.
An old man wearing a black suit jacket, white shirt, blue tie and round glasses smiles at the camera.
Former Nordstrom chair Bruce Nordstrom has died at age 90. (Shutterstock)
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Bruce Nordstrom, part of the third generation of family leadership that took stewardship of the Nordstrom chain of department stores in the 1960s, died on Saturday, according to local press.

The Seattle Times reported a statement from his sons Pete and Erik Nordstrom saying, “Our dad will be remembered not only for his significant contributions to Nordstrom but also for his unwavering dedication to his family and friends.”

The two serve as president and chief executive officer of the retailer respectively. “His passion, integrity and tireless work ethic served as an inspiration to everyone around him. But perhaps his greatest achievement was being an amazing father, husband and grandfather.”

Nordstrom was instrumental in the company’s expansion and its 1971 initial public offering.His son and former company co-president Blake W. Nordstrom, died in 2019, aged 58.

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Buyout Firm Sycamore Vies to Take Nordstrom Private, Sources Say

Nordstrom shares rose 6 percent on the news, giving the company a market value of about $3.3 billion.

About the author
Daniela Morosini
Daniela Morosini

Daniela Morosini is Senior Beauty Correspondent and Special Projects Editor at The Business of Beauty at BoF. She covers the global beauty industry, with an interest in how companies go to market and overcome hurdles.

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