Nordstrom Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2012 Earnings

Achieves Record Sales and Earnings for the Year

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2013-- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported a 26 percent increase in earnings per diluted share of $1.40 for the fourth quarter ended February 2, 2013 compared to $1.11 per diluted share for the same quarter last year. Net sales in the fourth quarter were $3.6 billion, an increase of 13.5 percent compared with net sales of $3.2 billion during the same period in fiscal 2011. Net earnings of $284 million increased 20 percent compared with net earnings of $236 million for the same quarter last year.

In fiscal year 2012, the Company achieved record sales and earnings while making significant investments to improve the customer experience in store and online. For the third consecutive year, the Company achieved double-digit growth in annual net sales and earnings per diluted share and same-store sales increases in the high single-digit range.

Similar to many other retailers, Nordstrom follows the retail 4-5-4 reporting calendar, which included an extra week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 (the 53rd week). In the 53rd week, the Company had net sales of approximately $162 million, representing an approximate $0.04 increase to earnings per diluted share for both the quarter and fiscal year. The 53rd week is not included in same-store sales calculations.

FOURTH QUARTER SUMMARY

Nordstrom’s fourth quarter performance was consistent with the strong trends the Company experienced throughout the year.

• Total Company same-store sales increased 6.3 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. Nordstrom same-store sales, which consist of the full-line and Direct businesses, increased 6.1 percent. Top-performing merchandise categories included Men’s Apparel, Cosmetics, Kids’ Apparel, and Women’s Apparel.
• Full-line same-store sales increased 2.2 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. The South and Midwest regions were the top-performing geographic areas relative to the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Direct sales surpassed $1 billion dollars this year for the first time in its history, driven by a same-store sales increase of 31 percent in the fourth quarter on top of last year’s increase of 35 percent for the same period. Direct sales growth continues to outpace the overall Company, reflecting ongoing initiatives to improve the customer experience online.
• Nordstrom Rack, which opened fifteen stores in fiscal 2012, continued to demonstrate strong sales growth in the fourth quarter with an increase in net sales of 23 percent. Same-store sales increased 7.1 percent for the Rack, which is its largest fourth quarter increase in the last six years.
• Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, was flat compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. Markdown improvements were offset by higher expenses associated with our enhanced Fashion Rewards program, which generated incremental sales and attracted new members.
• Retail selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, decreased 45 basis points compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to leverage on increased sales, partially offset by increases in fulfillment costs associated with improving the speed of delivery for shipped sales.
• In the Credit segment, overall performance continued to improve with delinquency and write-off rates well below prior-year levels. Given this performance and the underlying economic trends, the reserve for bad debt was reduced by $10 million.
• Earnings before interest and taxes of $498 million increased 20 percent compared to $417 million for the same quarter last year. Earnings before interest and taxes as a percent of net sales was 13.9 percent compared with 13.1 percent for the same quarter last year.
• During the quarter, the Company repurchased 4.2 million of its shares for $219 million. A total of $393 million remains under its existing share repurchase board authorization. The actual number and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to market and economic conditions and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

FULL YEAR RESULTS

• Nordstrom achieved record net sales of $11.8 billion, which represented an increase of 12.1 percent compared with prior year net sales of $10.5 billion. Full year same-store sales increased 7.3 percent, on top of last year’s same-store sales increase of 7.2 percent.
• Earnings per diluted share of $3.56 increased 13.4 percent compared to $3.14 for fiscal year 2011. Net earnings of $735 million increased 7.7 percent compared with net earnings of $683 million for fiscal year 2011.
• Return on invested capital (ROIC) for the 12 months ended February 2, 2013 was 13.9 percent, which increased from 13.3 percent in the prior 12-month period due primarily to the growth in earnings. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the closest GAAP measure is included below.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION UPDATE

In fiscal 2013, the Company’s capital expenditures, net of property incentives, are expected to total between $750 and $790 million, compared with approximately $450 million in fiscal 2012. The majority of the increase is attributable to Rack and full-line store growth, improvements to e-commerce delivery and fulfillment, and the planned Manhattan store development.

Nordstrom has announced plans to open the following stores in fiscal year 2013:

FISCAL YEAR 2013 OUTLOOK

In 2013, Nordstrom plans to continue to invest and build upon the foundation for sustainable growth in sales, earnings and Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”). The 2013 expectations include infrastructure expenses totaling between $20 and $25 million, related to the entry into Canada, in which the first store will open in 2014, and incremental costs from the accelerated Rack store growth.

The Company’s expectations for fiscal 2013, which are shown in comparison to the 53-week fiscal 2012 where applicable, are as follows:

The 53 ^rd week in fiscal 2012 creates a timing shift in the 4-5-4 calendar for fiscal 2013 that is expected to impact comparisons of performance to the prior year. For example, in 2013 the Anniversary Sale will occur in the second quarter, while in fiscal 2012 it overlapped the second and third quarters.

As a result of the 53^rd week timing shift, the Company is providing the following view of quarterly trends, relative to its annual fiscal 2013 expectations:

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company’s senior management will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 results and 2013 outlook at 4:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today. To listen to the live call online and view the speakers’ slides and Performance Summary document, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s corporate website at http://investor.nordstrom.com. An archived webcast with the speakers’ slides and Performance Summary document will be available in the webcasts section for one year. Interested parties may also dial 415-228-4850 (passcode: NORD). A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call by dialing 402-998-1419 (a passcode is not required) until the close of business on February 28, 2013.

ABOUT NORDSTROM

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading fashion specialty retailers. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 240 stores in 31 states, including 117 full-line stores, 119 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques, one treasure&bond store and one clearance store. Nordstrom also serves customers through Nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Additionally, the Company operates in the online private sale marketplace through its subsidiary HauteLook. Nordstrom, Inc.’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Certain statements in this news release contain “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, anticipated financial outlook for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2014, anticipated annual same-store sales rate, anticipated Return on Invested Capital, anticipated store openings, anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2013 and trends in our operations. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual future results may differ materially from historical results or current expectations depending upon factors including, but not limited to: the impact of economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns; our ability to respond to the business environment, fashion trends and consumer preferences, including changing expectations of service and experience in stores and online; effective inventory management; successful execution of our growth strategy, including possible expansion into new markets, technological investments and acquisitions, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from such growth initiatives, and the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations and remodels, all of which may be impacted by the financial health of third parties; our ability to manage the change in our business/financial model as we increase our investment in e-commerce and our online business; our ability to maintain relationships with our employees and to effectively attract, develop and retain our future leaders; successful execution of our multi-channel strategy, including planning, procurement and allocation capabilities; our compliance with applicable banking and related laws and regulations impacting our ability to extend credit to our customers; impact of the current regulatory environment and financial system and health care reforms; the impact of any systems failures, cybersecurity and/or security breaches, including any security breaches that result in the theft, transfer or unauthorized disclosure of customer, employee or company information or our compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations in the event of such an incident; our compliance with employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to us, including the outcome of claims and litigation and resolution of tax matters; compliance with debt covenants and availability and cost of credit; our ability to safeguard our brand and reputation; successful execution of our information technology strategy; our ability to maintain our relationships with vendors; trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs; changes in interest rates; efficient and proper allocation of our capital resources; weather conditions, natural disasters, health hazards or other market disruptions, or the prospects of these events and the impact on consumer spending patterns; disruptions in our supply chain; the geographic locations of our stores; the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing and promotional campaigns; our ability to control costs; and the timing and amounts of share repurchases by the company, if any, or any share issuances by the company, including issuances associated with option exercises or other matters. Our SEC reports, including our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012, our Forms 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended April 28, 2012, July 28, 2012 and October 27, 2012, and our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013, to be filed with the SEC on or about March 18, 2013, contain other information on these and other factors that could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information we may provide. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances.

Source: Nordstrom, Inc.

Nordstrom, Inc.
INVESTOR CONTACT: Rob Campbell, 206-233-6550
MEDIA CONTACT: Colin Johnson, 206-303-3036