Nordstrom Explores Manhattan Sites

NEW YORK CITY-Luxury department-store chain Nordstrom is looking at sites here to open its first Manhattan unit. The company has hired real-estate services firm Madison Retail Group to assist in finding a space.

The closest stores the chain has to New York City are two in suburban New Jersey, at Garden State Plaza, in Paramus, and the Mall at Short Hills (NJ). The retailer, which operates 98 department stores, is opening three units this year, in Denver; Natick, MA; and Novi, MI.

“Nordstrom would shake up the city,” says Howard Davidowitz, chairman of New York City-based retail consulting and investment firm Davidowitz & Associates. Entering the city would likely have some impact on the Manhattan stores he calls the “big five:” Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys New York.