Nordstrom Rack sets opening date for Ann Arbor store
Nordstrom Rack is publicizing an opening date for its first Ann Arbor location.
The Nordstrom Rack storefront is nearing completion in Arborland Mall.
Angela Smith for AnnArbor.com
Nordstrom Rack will sell “on-trend merchandise from Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com at 50 to 60 percent off original Nordstrom prices,” according to the company’s website.
The store will occupy 30,000 square feet of retail space in Arborland Mall. The location has been vacant for over three years, and was mostly recently home to Circuit City. It’s situated on the west end of Arborland, between Famous Footwear and Petco.
Shoppers have recently seen other new retail options open in the same shopping strip of Arborland Mall. Five Below and Ulta Beauty both opened in the last year. Old Navy also was remodeled and downsized, which has created space for an additional retailer to join the corridor.
Nordstrom will operate seven stores in Michigan after Ann Arbor and another Nordstrom Rack opens in April in Orion Township. Two other Nordstrom Racks in Michigan are in Troy and Grand Rapids, while Nordstrom stores are at Twelve Oaks, Somerset and Partridge Creek. Orion Township and Ann Arbor are among 8 cities to see new locations opening nationwide this spring.
Nordstrom sales reports show an increase in sales over the past two monthly reports. And excitement about the new spring store openings is building, according to national retail watchers.
But the Seattle based company is getting some negative press about a new cell phone tracking program that it is piloting in its 17 stores nationwide wide.
The system, which is designed to monitor the store’s foot traffic, counts and monitors shoppers by way of their smartphones’ WiFi signals. Opponents say that the system creates a slippery slope for privacy issues because the system can collect additional data about the shoppers and their phones.
Angela Smith is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com, where she covers retail news from across Washtenaw County.
Comments
15crown00
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
sounds like another middle class hangout to me?NOT!!!!!!!
TheDiagSquirrel
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 10:04 p.m.
Why would Nordstroms track customers through the wi-fi on their phones? I don't believe the "improving customer service" argument one bit. If you want to find out about customers' shopping habits, then read your transaction receipts, it's that simple.
Ann English
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:04 a.m.
Suppose a shopper spends a long time in one area, chooses something to buy, and fifteen minutes later decides not to buy it, and leaves the store without buying anything? If it is looked upon as suspicious, the customer will be lost for future sales.
A2K
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.
Glad I have a old-skool phone without a data plan *shrugs* Still, I'm looking forward to shopping at NR...even if it's a nightmare pulling in/out of that dreadful mall.
Ann English
Tue, Feb 19, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
What if our cellphones are not smartphones? Will this be a store for smartphone owners only? I can believe it since the Costco opening last year will only allow Costco members buy gas there, and ONLY with cards, no cash.
Paul
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.
Sounds good to me, regular Nordstrom stores are just too expensive
music to my ear
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 3:18 p.m.
they are set to open, and I am set to shop. (till I drop that is)
tdw
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
Craig....I was thinking about asking this question but you just sealed the deal Ok...Is Nordstrom's mostly a chick store ? Sorry to sound like a male chauvinist pig ( I'm not denying it, I just don't want to sound like one ) It's one of my sister inlaw's favorite stores , Craigs wife likes it and it seems that the comments thus far are made by women.
A2JetSet
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
Good stuff for all at NR. My boyfriend recently got a nice tuxedo there for under $200. Designer shoes for $50.
DBH
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 6:03 p.m.
They appear to have quite a lot of mens merchandise. From the link (at the very beginning of the article), see http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/men?origin=topnav&cm_sp=Top%20Navigation-_-Men-_-Men
Solitude
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
Well, getting good-quality stuff at a discount is considered a "female" trait by some, but the Rack has a large men's department, including Big and Tall. If you're a dude who'd be interested in a $200+ pair of high-end dress slacks for $40 or $50, for example, then you'd like the Rack. The Rack is kind of like a Nordstrom version of TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Similar discounts, generally higher-end stuff. They also have shoes, kids' stuff, etc.
BernieP
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
I've never been to the "Nordstrom Rack" but Nordstrom is a department store where they strive to differentiate themselves through outstanding Customer Service. Shop there are see if you notice a difference.
Dog Guy
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
Will Nordstrom's new cell phone tracking program detain shoppers at the door for several minutes before they can get in like annarbor.com's commercial espionage malware (ad crowd control, etc.)?
cindy1
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
Also, I wonder what other stores have the big brother watching policy?
cindy1
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
My first thoughts after reading this are mixed. I want to see what they have for sale and I also want to boycott Nordstrom because of the outrageous "big brother watching" aspect of the shopping experience.
simone66
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
I will be a regular shopper at Nordstrom Rack.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
say hi to my wife.
A2comments
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
You should always turn your WiFi OFF when you leave home and not turn it on unless you're trying to use a WiFi network. NEVER automatically connect to a public WiFi network. Besides privacy concerns, it will save battery.
LA
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 12:33 p.m.
does it only track if you're using your phone or can it scan you just walking in?
Lizzy Alfs
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 12:26 p.m.
I'm looking forward to checking this out. I went to the Nordstrom Rack in Chicago and there was one down the street from where I grew up.
A2Hallie
Wed, Mar 6, 2013 : 9:34 a.m.
The one in Rochester, MI is definitely worth going to.