: Unlike traditional corporate hierarchies, Nordstrom uses an "inverted pyramid" management structure. In this model, customers and sales-floor employees sit at the top, while executive leadership remains at the bottom to provide support and resources.

The Legacy of Nordstrom: A Century of Service and Style Introduction

Founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin, the company began as , a single shoe store in Seattle. It took decades of gradual expansion—including a pivotal move into women's apparel in 1963 and men’s and children’s wear in 1966—before it officially became "Nordstrom" in 1971. By 1973, it was recognized as the largest fashion specialty store on the West Coast, eventually expanding nationally to the East Coast and internationally into Canada. The Nordstrom Way: Culture and Customer Service