Nordstrom are now making preparations to reopen stores, however lots of changes are to be made, such as: fewer fitting rooms, no beauty makeovers, plexiglass dividers at checkouts and a limited number of customers allowed in a store.
“Our stores won’t open all at once,” Erik Nordstrom, CEO, and Peter Nordstrom, president, said in a blog on the company’s website. We’re going to take a phased approach. “It really can’t be said enough – your health, and the health of our employees, is our priority. And every decision we make is through that lens. We want to be sure the approach we’re taking to reopen our stores is thoughtful, and that we’re creating a store environment that’s safe for everyone.”
In addition, Nordstrom is temporarily limiting the number of people allowed inside its stores at one time, and some locations may have revised hours or temporarily closed entrances. Designated employees, or “store ambassadors,” will be positioned at store entrances to answer questions, make sure customers maintain enough distance from each other and manage the number of customers entering the store. They will also give masks to customers who need them.
Here are some other changes in store for Nordstrom customers.
• Returns will be made only at specific locations in the store. Merchandise that’s been tried on or returned will be put on hold for a period of time before it goes back on the sales floor.
• Plexiglass partitions will be installed at checkout areas, with the area sanitized after every customer interaction.
• In-store styling services will be provided through contactless consultations, including style and fit expertise. Virtual styling appointments will also be offered.
• Some fitting rooms will be closed in order to maintain social distance and rooms will be cleaned between each use.
The retailer said it is also increasing store cleaning and sanitization — paying extra attention to high-traffic touchpoints like checkout counters and shopping carts — multiple times a day. It is making hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes more easily accessible for customers and employees.
Along with training employees about environmental cleaning and sanitation, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, Nordstrom said it conducting employee health screening, including temperature checks before every shift.
Nordstrom is also working toward having payments be contactless — cards only.
