Erik Nordstrom
Chief executive of Nordstrom
Erik Nordstrom is the chief executive of Nordstrom, the Seattle based fashion department store group founded by his family in 1901. Sole chief executive since 2020, he led the 2025 transaction in which the Nordstrom family and Mexico's El Puerto de Liverpool took the company private.
| Role | Chief executive, Nordstrom |
|---|---|
| Sole chief executive since | March 2020 |
| Co president | May 2015 to 2019 |
| Ownership | Nordstrom family 50.1%, El Puerto de Liverpool 49.9% (since May 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
Who is Erik Nordstrom?
Erik Nordstrom is an American retail executive and a member of the family behind Nordstrom, one of the leading fashion department store groups in the United States. The company operates Nordstrom department stores and the off price chain Nordstrom Rack, together with its online businesses.
Career
Before taking the top job, Erik Nordstrom served as executive vice president and president of Nordstrom.com, giving him direct responsibility for the company's online business. In May 2015 he became co president alongside his brothers Blake and Peter, sharing leadership of the company. He has been sole chief executive since March 2020, having taken charge as the pandemic forced the temporary closure of stores across the United States.
On 23 December 2024 Nordstrom announced an agreement under which the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, the Mexican department store operator, would take the company private in a transaction valued at about 6.25 billion dollars. The family holds a 50.1 per cent controlling stake and Liverpool 49.9 per cent. The deal was completed on 20 May 2025 and the shares were removed from the New York Stock Exchange. Erik Nordstrom remained chief executive and described the day as "an exciting new chapter for the business".
Influence on the fashion business
Nordstrom is an important wholesale partner for many designer, contemporary and premium brands in North America. Under Erik Nordstrom's leadership the company has focused on:
- Combining full price department stores with the Nordstrom Rack off price format
- Integrating stores and online so customers can shop across channels
- Expanding Nordstrom Rack, which continued to open new stores in 2026
- Brand partnerships, such as a 2026 collaboration with the toy brand FAO Schwarz
Erik Nordstrom and technology
As the former head of Nordstrom.com, Erik Nordstrom has a background in digital retail, and the company has long been regarded as an early mover among US department stores in linking online and store shopping.
Why it matters
Nordstrom remains one of the most influential department store buyers in the United States, and its move into private ownership with a partner from Mexico is a notable example of consolidation and cross border investment in fashion retail. As the company marks 125 years in 2026, Erik Nordstrom leads it through a new phase away from the public markets.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Erik Nordstrom?
Erik Nordstrom is the chief executive of Nordstrom, the US fashion department store group founded by his family in 1901. He has been sole chief executive since 2020 and previously ran Nordstrom.com.
Is Nordstrom still a public company?
No. In May 2025 the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool completed a transaction valued at about 6.25 billion dollars that took the company private and removed its shares from the New York Stock Exchange.