Nordstrom Eyes Federated Units

SEATTLE-Vacancies as a result of the Federated-May merger could lead to expansion opportunities for Nordstrom department stores, the locally based chain’s executives said during the quarterly conference call. Federated Department Stores officials announced last month that they would close 68 units as a result of their $11-billion acquisition of May Department Stores.

“There are stores on their list that are of interest to us, and we are pleased to finally have tangible details to work with,” said Blake Nordstrom, the company’s president. Nordstrom did not specify how many units the retailer is eyeing, but said the vacancies could provide an opportunity for the company to enter new markets. Nordstrom has taken over space in five of the 32 Lord & Taylor stores that May executives said in 2003 they would close or sell.