IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Nordstrom Inc., the department store chain known for its high-end merchandise and customer service, is reportedly closing its stores in Riverside and Montclair.
The closures, at the Galleria at Tyler and Montclair Place, are two of 16 regular store closings the chain announced recently and are permanent, according to a published report.
An increase in online shopping, along with the COVID-19 pandemic and the havoc it’s wreaked on U.S. retail, were among the reasons the company decided to shut down the properties.
“We’ve been investing in our digital and physical capabilities to keep pace with rapidly changing customer expectations,” said Erik Nordstrom, the company’s chief executive officer, in the business update statement. “The impact of COVID-19 is only accelerating the importance of these capabilities in serving customers. “More than ever, we need to work with flexibility and speed, and bring inventory closer to where customers live and work.”
The statement doesn’t say which stores are being closed. However, a Business Insider report published the locations of all 16 stores, and the list included the Riverside and Montclair locations.
Nordstrom officials could not be reached for comment.
Since March 17, all Nordstrom stores – its regular locations and Nordstrom Rack, its discount outlets – have been closed temporarily because of COVID-19. The Seattle-based chain plans to reopen stores regionally, and in phases, whenever healthcare officials give their approval.
Nordstrom operates 378 stores in 40 states, including 116 full-line stores and 247 Nordstrom Racks in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, according to the statement.
