Nordstrom's Strong Finish

Nordstrom Inc. (Seattle) has reported a 74 percent increase in fourth quarter earnings for the period ending Jan. 31, 2004.

Quarterly sales increased 12 percent over a year earlier and same-store sales were up 8.5 percent.

For the full year 2003, net earnings were up 50.5 percent, sales were up 8.6 percent and same-store sales increased 4.3 percent.

During the year, the retailer opened four full-line stores and two Nordstrom Rack stores, increasing gross square footage approximately 4 percent.

For its first quarter of 2004, Nordstrom is forecasting same-store sales increases of 4-6 percent.