Nordstrom’s Retail Hubs Show Brick-And-Mortar Experience Has Much to Offer, Even Without Any Inventory

That the retail space has been fighting for survival in the past decade is no surprise. The closing of the iconic Toys R Us earlier this year surprised many, but not everyone in the industry. There are forward-thinking retailers experimenting their way toward not only surviving this dark age of brick-and-mortar retail but even thriving.

One of the major trends shaking up the industry right now is a shift away from treating retail space as a beautified warehouse. With the onset of e-commerce and omnichannel engagement, having a large amount of inventory on display can lead to bloat and wasted opportunity. Few companies have been as consistently experimental as Nordstrom, but their recent development is earning serious respect.

“Nordstrom Local” stores have popped up in multiple Los Angeles locations. These “service hubs” feature, rather than focus on, inventory. Service is the star and Nordstrom plans for it to reshape the retail experience. A lush interior keeps customers comfortable while they take advantage of an in-house seamstress, consult with a stylist, or just stop out back to conveniently grab their online order. So far, Nordstrom has been ranked the nation’s favorite premium retailer for the sixth year in a row.[1]

Nordstrom executives insist that their success is in their willingness to try, discard poor results, and keep trying. They are not alone. IKEA saw an opportunity to shore up its biggest customer complaint: home assembly. The acquisition of site/app TaskRabbit to get safe, easy help is a prime example of how this industry is bouncing back by staying nimble.[2] Amazon is impossible to ignore in this discussion, being the driving force behind much of this retail disruption. The giant’s constant evolution and experimentation raised eyebrows for years, peaking with last year’s purchase of Whole Foods. As the old model crumbles, Amazon’s progressive and interest in experimentation is finally creeping into the larger retail industry.

Retail—even brick and mortar retail—is far from dead. The rules of the game have just changed. In the next few years, pay close attention to the brands that hustle, experiment, and let failure be their guide.[3] A box of product on the corner has been defunct for years, and though it’s finally starting to show, it’s far from a death sentence.

[1] https://www.fastcompany.com/90180401/exclusive-nordstom-expands-its-innovative-inventory-free-service-hubs

[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tompopomaronis/2018/03/28/these-7-brands-are-adapting-in-a-highly-chaotic-retail-environment-and-winning/#7482fbcc518a

[3] https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/how-3-leading-retailers-adapting-changing-consumer-behaviors/

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Marketplace Inclusion
How TEKsystems Uses Marketplace Inclusion to Drive Equitable AI Adoption
July 16, 2025

As organizations race to integrate AI into every corner of business, an equally urgent conversation is emerging: How do we ensure this adoption doesn’t widen existing equity gaps? AI is both a disruptive force and an opportunity engine, as recent data shows that AI adoption among HR professionals jumped to 72 percent in 2025, up…

Read More
storytelling
The Secret to Brand Loyalty: Why Storytelling Is the Best Way to Be Heard in a Crowded Market
July 16, 2025

In today’s fast-evolving digital marketplace, attention is scarce, and trust even more so. In an era of remote work, AI-driven marketing, and constant digital noise, storytelling has emerged as one of the most powerful tools to cut through the clutter. In fact, research shows that people who used storytelling techniques to remember information recalled seven…

Read More
hospitality career development
Leaders Driving Hospitality Career Development Must Embrace Tech, Inclusion, and Risk
July 16, 2025

The hospitality industry is under mounting pressure to modernize to meet guest expectations for seamless, tech-driven experiences and also develop leaders who can drive that transformation. According to Rackspace Technology, only 28% of travel and hospitality companies qualify as “AI leaders”— those aligning strategy, compliance, and training with real-world deployment. Another 28% remain in…

Read More
HR compliance
Seeing What Others Miss: The Art of Problem Solving in HR Compliance
July 16, 2025

In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Andrea Kilburn, the HR EEO and Affirmative Action Compliance Manager at EssilorLuxottica. Andrea has built her career on problem-solving, advocacy, and the power of precise thinking. Andrea shares her unique path from mortgage underwriting to HR compliance, and…

Read More