Nordstrom may be readying to open its stores, but that doesn’t mean it’s giving up contactless curbside services.
The retailer shared its plans to resume selling in its stores after shutting its doors in March to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As expected, it’s making a number of a changes in order to promote social distancing and better protect associates and customers.
As part of this, it’s also permanently closing 16 full-line stores.
“The past several months have been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced, and we’re working hard to evolve so we can continue to show up in a meaningful way for you, our employees and communities,” Pete and Erik Nordstrom wrote on the company’s website. “Part of that has meant serving you in new ways, whether that’s online or through some of our contactless curbside services like order pickup and returns. We want to continue to bring you the service and convenience you need, even if it may look a little different than it has in the past.”
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Stores will re-open in phases — once they’re permitted by state and local governments, and once they’re equipped with the new safety measures.
“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,” they wrote.
Among the changes, Nordstrom will limit the number of customers and associates in its stores; ramp up its cleaning and sanitation; provide face masks for both employees and customers; and alter its hours of operations.
It’s also conducting employee health screenings and modifying fitting rooms. High-touch services and customer events will be paused or adapted; its Anniversary Sale, for example, will move from July into August.