Nordstrom has long been a local favorite in Portland. I now live across the country but seek it out everywhere I go because I can depend on the excellent service and generally cutting-edge stock. Nordstrom's women departments carry a lot of fashionable boutique brands but the store can offer service and return guarantees that boutiques cannot. The downtown store now boasts gucci, chanel, and dolce and gabbana boutiques, but will never be as cold and stark as Saks. I used to think i would look like everyone else if I always shopped there- not true. Also not true is the above poster's comment about employee retention. While turnover may happen, I know many people that have worked there for years (though some seasonally) and many employees are extremely devoted to the company, which also means they believe in what they're selling.
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