All Nordstrom stores in Canada will officially close this week as the company winds down operations across the country.
According to the retailer's website, June 13 will be customer's "last day to shop," although some stores may close earlier depending on inventory levels. The department store chain is currently offering discounts of up to 80% as part of its massive liquidation sale.
Nordstrom.ca, the company's e-commerce platform, ceased operations on March 2, the same day it was announced that the retailer was winding down its Canadian operations, closing all 13 stores, and laying off its roughly 2,500 employees.
At the time, the retailer operated six Nordstrom stores and seven discount Nordstrom Rack locations.
According to court documents, the liquidation sale at Nordstrom Rack stores concluded on May 14, and the stores have been turned over to their respective landlords. Nordstrom stores will be turned over to their landlords in early July.
In late March, Nordstrom entered into a Consulting Services Agreement with Jones Lang Lasalle Real Estate Services (JLL) in an effort to transfer its leases. JLL contacted or was contacted by approximately 195 interested parties, of which 26 executed a non-disclosure agreement. As of May 24, third-party retailers are in talks to take over the leases for four of the Nordstrom Rack stores.
No retailers submitted an Expression of Interest for the Nordstrom Rack stores at One Bloor Street East Store in Toronto, the South Edmonton Common, or the Willowbrook Shopping Centre in Langley. As such, Nordstrom has issued a notice to disclaim the leases and related agreements for the stores.
According to the documents, the company continues to advance the lease transaction process with respect to Nordstrom stores.
Nordstrom's decision to cease operations in Canada will allow the US-based retailer to streamline its operations and focus on profits.
"We entered Canada in 2014 with a plan to build and sustain a long-term business there. Despite our best efforts, we do not see a realistic path to profitability for the Canadian business," Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom said in March.
"This decision will simplify our structure, intensify focus on our growth and profitability goals, and position us to create greater value for our shareholders."
