Site for Sore Eyes

Nordstrom has launched an online beauty site initially offering such brands as Lancome, Calvin Klein, Paula Dorf, Tony & Tina, Clarins, Biotherm, Kneipp, Osmotics and Urban Decay. Over the next year, the Seattle-based retailer says it will add more cosmetics and fragrance lines, including the addition of various M.A.C. collections and Estee Lauder brands. Integrated events and promotions will also appear both in stores and online. The site is www.nordstrombeauty.com.

“Our goal is to make sure our customers have online access to everything that is currently available in our stores,” said Dale Crichton, executive vp and corporate merchandise manager for cosmetics.”

“The beauty section of the website is designed similarly to the rest of the [Nordstrom] site so it is easy and convenient for customers to quickly find the beauty item they desire,” said Julie Bornstein, general manager of the Internet, Nordstrom.com.

Nordstrom customers accustomed to seeking help from the more than 4000 “beauty experts” in Nordstrom stores will be able to chat online with a similar team of experts. Customers can talk with the Nordstrom Beauty Experts via “live help,” e-mail or at 800-7-BEAUTY. Most of the orders will be fulfilled from 11 Nordstrom stores that currently serve the Nordstrom Beauty hotline, but some will be shipped from the Nordstrom.com fulfillment center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.