A Sign of Things to Come

There’s a buzz in Cincinnati that’s been building for more than a decade. That’s when Nordstrom first talked about coming to the area. Now, the city is preparing to welcome a new Nordstrom department store in two weeks and the retailer’s discount format, Nordstom Rack, in November.

Am I dreaming?

Any retail opening is good news these days. And Nordstrom’s opening is Cincinnati is having a ripple effect. New businesses are springing up at Kenwood Towne Centre, the 21-year-old mall where Nordstrom is busy putting the final touches on its new store. During the summer, at the opening of Ilori at Kenwood, an executive from parent company Luxottica said Nordstrom’s new store definitely influenced the Cincinnati-based eyewear retailer in bringing its high-end sunglasses concept to the mall. He even went on to hint that other high-end brands were on the way. (Pinch me!)
 

And it’s not just the retail community, but shoppers, as well, who are anticipating the retailer’s debut. Certainly, consumers have shown they’re not dying to part with their money these days. So what’s the attraction? Besides the enviable shoe department, I’m sure it’s Nordstrom’s reputation for style and customer service that’s got people excited.

 My hope is that Nordstrom’s arrival prompts other area retailers to return to those basic tenets of good service, selection and extra amenities, like in-store dining. How many stores have I walked into recently – and then walked out of, empty-handed – without one salesperson having muttered so much as a “hey”? I know staff sizes have been cut, the majority is working more for less – but still, don’t expect me to shop in a place that seems not to care whether I’m there or not.

Nordstrom’s been putting its best foot forward for more than 108 years. As it prepares to open its doors to another new community, I hope local retailers are taking note.

VMSD’s Kristin Godsey and Anne DiNardo will get a sneak peek of the store this week. Look for coverage of the store on VMSD.com and in a future issue of VMSD.