NordstromDiscounts, sales and what to buy

Nordstrom is an upper-tier department store: designer and premium clothing and shoe brands, and a large beauty and fragrance department. Prices are higher than at Macy's, but there are brands and sets you won't find in the mass market. Most often people buy premium beauty, perfume and gift sets here. Don't confuse it with Nordstrom Rack, a separate off-price chain from the same company with its own rules.

• Beauty and fragrance: Chanel, Dior, Tom Ford, La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, MAC, NARS, Clinique, Guerlain, Hourglass, Kiehl's, Laneige, Olaplex hair care.
• Clothing, shoes and bags: Ralph Lauren, Boss, Max Mara, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Coach, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, sportswear and casual (Alo Yoga, SKIMS, Patagonia, The North Face, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, UGG, Birkenstock).
• The larger stores have boutiques from Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Burberry and other luxury houses.
• Private labels: Zella (sportswear), Nordstrom, BP., Treasure & Bond.
• There is also children's clothing and shoes, accessories, sunglasses and home decor.

There are about 90 full-size Nordstrom department stores in the US, mostly in big cities. Holiday Estée Lauder sets at a big discount show up here too - how that works is explained in the section "How to buy Lancôme and Estée Lauder for less".

• The main event of the year is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, usually from the second half of July to early August. What's on sale isn't old leftover stock but the new fall-winter collection; after the sale, prices go back up. In 2026 it ran July 18 - August 9 for everyone.
• Nordstrom card holders get access to the Anniversary Sale a few days earlier, by Nordy Club tier: in 2026, Icon from July 14, Ambassador from the 15th, Influencer from the 16th.
• Twice a year there is a Half-Yearly Sale, which marks down the current season: roughly late May - June and late December - January.