-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Dq3dw1zxCWxM3MAj/ZXymH39yryEdV/2BlKECQHMq/qvcC36AGwM0pYEiZsKuTWw koOQT5I8FDRQcKAN386LKA== 0000072333-97-000007.txt : 19970401 0000072333-97-000007.hdr.sgml : 19970401 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000072333-97-000007 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19970131 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970331 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORDSTROM INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000072333 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651] IRS NUMBER: 910515058 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 0131 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-06074 FILM NUMBER: 97570387 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1501 FIFTH AVE CITY: SEATTLE STATE: WA ZIP: 98101 BUSINESS PHONE: 2066282111 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1321 SECOND AVENUE CITY: SEATTLE STATE: WA ZIP: 98101 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORDSTROM BEST INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19730611 10-K 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended January 31, 1997 / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _______ to _______ Commission file number 0-6074 Nordstrom, Inc. ______________________________________________________ (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Washington 91-0515058 _______________________________ __________________ (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 1501 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101 ______________________________________________________ (Address of principal executive office) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 206-628-2111 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, without par value ____________________________________ (Title of class) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES /X/ NO / / Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. /X/ 1 of 14 On March 17, 1997, 78,682,335 shares of common stock were outstanding, and the aggregate market value of those shares (based upon the closing price as reported by NASDAQ) held by non-affiliates was approximately $1.9 billion. Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of Nordstrom, Inc. 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders (Parts I, II and IV) Portions of Proxy Statement for 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III) 2 of 14 PART I Item 1. Business. - ------------------ Nordstrom, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the State of Washington in 1946 as successor to a retail shoe business started in 1901. As of January 31, 1997, the Company operates 62 large specialty stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, selling a wide selection of apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children. The Company also operates nineteen stores under the name "Nordstrom Rack" and one clearance store which serve as outlets for clearance merchandise from the Company's large specialty stores. The Racks also purchase merchandise directly from manufacturers. The Racks are located in California, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The Company also operates a men's specialty boutique in New York under the name "Faconnable", and leased shoe departments in twelve department stores in Hawaii and Guam. The licenses for the leased shoe departments have been terminated effective November 17, 1997. In addition, the Company operates a Direct Sales Division which commenced operations in January 1994 with the mailing of its first catalog. In August 1997, the Company will open a large specialty store in Long Island, New York and two more large specialty stores in West Hartford, Connecticut and Cleveland, Ohio in September 1997. In February 1997, the Company opened two new Rack stores in Southern California, which replaced existing Rack locations. The Company will open two new Racks in Bellevue, Washington, in May 1997 and in Hempstead, New York, in September 1997. The Company also plans to open a men's and women's Faconnable boutique in Beverly Hills, California in September to complete its planned new store opening schedule for 1997. In 1998, three new large specialty stores are planned to open in Atlanta, Georgia, Overland Park, Kansas, and Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1998, the Company also plans to open a new flagship store in downtown Seattle, Washington, and to remodel a store in San Diego, California. The Company regularly employs on a full or part-time basis an average of approximately 39,600 employees. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, the number increased to approximately 46,000 employees in July for the Company's anniversary sale, and in December for the Christmas selling season. The Company's business is highly competitive. Its stores compete with other national, regional and local retail establishments within its operating areas which carry similar lines of merchandise, including department stores, specialty stores, boutiques and mail order businesses. The Company believes the principal methods of competing in its industry include customer service, value, fashion, advertising, store location and depth of selection. Certain other information required under Item 1 is contained within the following sections of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Message to Our Shareholders Management Discussion and Analysis Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 12 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Retail Store Facilities 3 of 14 Executive Officers of the Registrant - ------------------------------------
Officer Name Age Title Since Family Relationship - -------------------- --- ------------------ ------- ------------------- Jammie Baugh 43 Executive Vice 1990 None President Gail A. Cottle 45 Executive Vice 1985 None President John A. Goesling 51 Executive Vice 1980 None President and Treasurer Jack F. Irving 52 Executive Vice 1980 None President Blake W. Nordstrom 36 Co-President 1991 Brother of Erik B. and Peter E. Nordstrom Erik B. Nordstrom 33 Co-President 1995 Brother of Blake W. and Peter E. Nordstrom J. Daniel Nordstrom 34 Co-President 1995 Brother of William E. Nordstrom and cousin of James A. Nordstrom James A. Nordstrom 35 Co-President 1991 Cousin of J. Daniel and William E. Nordstrom Peter E. Nordstrom 34 Co-President 1995 Brother of Blake W. and Erik B. Nordstrom William E. Nordstrom 33 Co-President 1995 Brother of J. Daniel Nordstrom and cousin of James A. Nordstrom John C. Walgamott 51 President of 1991 None Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank John J. Whitacre 44 Chairman of the 1989 None Board of Directors All of the above people that have not been officers for the past five years have been full-time employees of the Company during that period. The officers are re-elected annually by the Board of Directors following each year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each officer is elected for a term of one year and until a successor is elected and qualifies.
4 of 14 Item 2. Properties. - -------------------- The following table summarizes at January 31, 1997 the number of stores owned or operated by the Company and the percentage of total store area represented by each listed category:
Number of % of total store stores square footage --------- ---------------- Owned Stores 21 25% Leased Stores 30 19 Owned on leased land 29 51 Partly owned & partly leased 3 5 --------- ---------------- 83 100% ========= ================
The Company also operates seven merchandise distribution centers, five of which are owned and two of which are leased. The Company leases its principal offices in Seattle, Washington, and owns an office building in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area which serves as the principal offices of Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank. Certain other information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Note 6 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Retail Store Facilities Item 3. Legal Proceedings. - --------------------------- The Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation in the ordinary course of business. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. - ------------------------------------------------------------- None 5 of 14 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Company's Common Stock, without par value, is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "NOBE." The approximate number of holders of Common Stock as of March 17, 1997 was 74,000. Certain other information required under this item with respect to stock prices and dividends is included in the following sections of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Financial Highlights Stock Trading Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Note 8 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 13 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 6. Selected Financial Data. - --------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Ten-Year Statistical Summary Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Management Discussion and Analysis Note 5 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. - ----------------------------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Consolidated Statements of Earnings Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ None 6 of 14 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item with respect to the Company's Directors and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Election of Directors Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 The information required under this item with respect to the Company's Executive Officers is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1 of this report under "Executive Officers of the Registrant". Item 11. Executive Compensation. - -------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Compensation of Executive Officers in the Year Ended January 31, 1997 Compensation and Stock Option Committee Report on Fiscal Year 1996 Executive Compensation Stock Price Performance Compensation of Directors Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The information required under this item is included in the following section of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which section is incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. - -------------------------------------------------------- The information required under this item is included in the following sections of the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which sections are incorporated by reference herein and will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year: Election of Directors Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 7 of 14 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a)1. Financial Statements -------------------- The following consolidated financial information and statements of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the Independent Auditors' Report are incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report: Consolidated Statements of Earnings Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report (a)2. Financial Statement Schedules ----------------------------- Page ---- Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule 13 II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 14 Other schedules for which provision is made in Regulation S-X are not required, are inapplicable, or the information is included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders as incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 13.1 of this report. (a)3. Exhibits -------- (3.1) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant are hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1989, Exhibit A. (3.2) By-laws of the Registrant, as amended, are filed herein as an Exhibit. (4.1) The Indenture between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant) and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as successor trustee, dated November 15, 1984, the First Supplement thereto dated January 15, 1988, the Second Supplement thereto dated June 1, 1989 and the Third Supplement thereto dated October 19, 1990 are hereby incorporated by reference from Registration No. 33-3765, Exhibit 4.2; Registration No. 33-19743, Exhibit 4.2; Registration No. 33-29193, Exhibit 4.3; and the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the year ended January 31, 1991, Exhibit 4.2, respectively. Securities authorized under each of any other long-term debt instruments of the Company or its subsidiaries do not exceed 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company will furnish a copy of any such long- term debt instrument or agreement to the Commission upon request. 8 of 14 (a)3. Exhibits (continued) -------------------- (4.2) Trustee Resignation of Wells Fargo Bank (Colorado), N.A., (as successor to First Interstate Bank of Denver, N.A.), dated March 20, 1997 is filed herein as an Exhibit. (4.3) Trustee Acceptance of Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., dated March 20, 1997 is filed herein as an Exhibit. (10.1) Operating Agreement dated August 30, 1991 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1, as amended. (10.2) Merchant Agreement dated August 30, 1991 between Registrant and Nordstrom National Credit Bank is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1. (10.3) The 1987 Nordstrom Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1987 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (10.4) The Nordstrom Supplemental Retirement Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1993, Exhibit 10.3. (10.5) The 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1994, Exhibit 10.4. (10.6) Investment Agreement dated October 8, 1984 between the Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 10, Exhibit 10.1. (10.7) Operating Agreement for VISA Accounts and Receivables dated May 1, 1994 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank is hereby incorporated by reference from Registration No. 33-55905, Exhibit 10.1. (10.8) Agreement to terminate the Operating Agreement for VISA Accounts and Receivables dated May 1, 1994 between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank, dated August 14, 1996 is hereby incorporated by reference from the Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.1. (10.9) Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.1. 9 of 14 (a)3. Exhibits (continued) -------------------- (10.10) Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee, is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.2. (10.11) Transfer and Administration Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Enterprise Funding Corporation and Nationsbank, N.A. is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.3. (10.12) Receivables Purchase Agreement dated August 14, 1996 between Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. is filed herein as an Exhibit. (10.13) The Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan is hereby incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (13.1) The Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders is filed herein as an Exhibit. (21.1) List of the Registrant's Subsidiaries is filed herein as an Exhibit. (23.1) Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule is on page 13 of this report. (27.1) Financial Data Schedule is filed herein as an Exhibit. All other exhibits are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the required information is included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders. 10 of 14 (b) Reports on Form 8-K ------------------- No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the period for which this report is filed. Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. NORDSTROM, INC. (Registrant) Date March 31, 1997 by /s/ John A. Goesling -------------- ------------------------------------------ John A. Goesling Executive Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. Principal Accounting and Principal Executive Officer: Financial Officer: /s/ John A. Goesling /s/ John J. Whitacre - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- John A. Goesling John J. Whitacre Executive Vice President Chairman and Director and Treasurer 11 of 14 Directors: /s/ Philip M. Condit /s/ Bruce A. Nordstrom - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- Philip M. Condit Bruce A. Nordstrom Director Director /s/ D. Wayne Gittinger /s/ John N. Nordstrom - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- D. Wayne Gittinger John N. Nordstrom Director Director /s/ Raymond A. Johnson /s/ Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- Raymond A. Johnson Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. Director Director /s/ Charles A. Lynch /s/ William D. Ruckelshaus - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- Charles A. Lynch William D. Ruckelshaus Director Director /s/ Ann D. McLaughlin /s/ Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan - ------------------------------- -------------------------------- Ann D. McLaughlin Elizabeth Crownhart Vaughan Director Director /s/ John A. McMillan /s/ John J. Whitacre - ------------------------------- --------------------------------- John A. McMillan John J. Whitacre Director Chairman of the Board of Directors Date March 31, 1997 ___________________________ 12 of 14 Exhibit 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT AND REPORT ON SCHEDULE Shareholders and Board of Directors Nordstrom, Inc. We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 33-18321 and 33-28882 of Nordstrom, Inc. on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 10, 1997 appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended January 31, 1997. We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1997, and have issued our report thereon dated March 10, 1997; such financial statements and report are included in your 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14(a)2. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. Deloitte & Touche LLP March 31, 1997 Seattle, Washington 13 of 14 NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Dollars in thousands)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Additions Deductions ---------- ---------- Account Balance at Charged to write-offs Balance beginning costs and net of at end of Description of period expenses recoveries period - ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended: January 31, 1995 $23,145 $20,219 $20,406 $22,958 January 31, 1996 $22,958 $39,589 $33,154 $29,393 January 31, 1997 $29,393 $51,352 $53,952 $26,793
14 of 14 NORDSTROM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Exhibit Index
Exhibit Method of Filing - ------- ---------------- 3.1 Articles of Incorporation Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1989, Exhibit A 3.2 By-laws, as amended Filed herewith electronically 4.1 Indenture between Nordstrom Credit, Incorporated by reference Inc. and Norwest Bank Colorado, from Registration N.A., as successor trustee, No. 33-3765, Exhibit 4.2; dated November 15, 1984, the First Registration No. 33-19743, Supplement thereto dated January 15, Exhibit 4.2; Registration 1988, the Second Supplement thereto No. 33-29193, Exhibit 4.3; dated June 1, 1989 and the Third and the Nordstrom Credit, Supplement thereto dated October 19, Inc. Annual Report on Form 1990 10-K (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the year ended January 31, 1991, Exhibit 4.2, respectively 4.2 Trustee Resignation of Wells Fargo Filed herewith electronically Bank (Colorado), N.A., dated March 20, 1997 4.3 Trustee Acceptance of Norwest Bank Filed herewith electronically Colorado, N.A., dated March 20, 1997 10.1 Operating Agreement dated August 30, 1991 Incorporated by reference between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and from the Nordstrom Credit, Nordstrom National Credit Bank Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (SEC File No. 0-12994) for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1, as amended. 10.2 Merchant Agreement dated August 30, 1991 Incorporated by reference between Registrant and Nordstrom from the Registrant's National Credit Bank Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1991, Exhibit 10.1 10.3 1987 Nordstrom Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1987 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 10.4 Nordstrom Supplemental Retirement Plan Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1993, Exhibit 10.3. Exhibit Index (continued) - ------------------------- 10.5 1993 Non-Employee Director Stock Incorporated by reference Incentive Plan from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1994, Exhibit 10.4. 10.6 Investment Agreement dated October 8, Incorporated by reference 1984 between the Registrant and from the Nordstrom Credit, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Inc. Form 10, Exhibit 10.1. 10.7 Operating Agreement for VISA Accounts Incorporated by reference and Receivables dated May 1, 1994 from Registration No. 33- between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and 55905, Exhibit 10.1. Nordstrom National Credit Bank 10.8 Agreement to terminate the Operating Incorporated by reference Agreement for VISA Accounts and from the Nordstrom Credit, Receivables dated May 1, 1994 Inc. Quarterly Report on between Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter and Nordstrom National Credit ended October 31, 1996, Bank, dated August 14, 1996 Exhibit 10.1 10.9 Master Pooling and Servicing Incorporated by reference Agreement dated August 14, 1996 from the Registrant's between Nordstrom National Credit Quarterly Report on Form Bank and Norwest Bank Colorado, 10-Q for the quarter ended N.A., as trustee October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.1. 10.10 Series 1996-A Supplement to Master Incorporated by reference Pooling and Servicing Agreement from the Registrant's dated August 14, 1996 between Quarterly Report on Form Nordstrom National Credit Bank, 10-Q for the quarter ended Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Norwest October 31, 1996, Exhibit Bank Colorado, N.A., as trustee 10.2. 10.11 Transfer and Administration Agreement Incorporated by reference dated August 14, 1996 between from the Registrant's Nordstrom National Credit Bank, Quarterly Report on Form Enterprise Funding Corporation and 10-Q for the quarter ended Nationsbank, N.A. October 31, 1996, Exhibit 10.3. 10.12 Receivables Purchase Agreement Filed herewith electronically dated August 14, 1996 between Registrant and Nordstrom Credit, Inc. 10.13 1997 Nordstrom Stock Option Plan Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 13.1 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders Filed herewith electronically 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant Filed herewith electronically Exhibit Index (continued) - ------------------------- 23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent and Report on Schedule Filed herewith electronically 27.1 Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith electronically
EX-3 2 BYLAWS OF NORDSTROM, INC. (Amended and Restated as of March 19, 1997) ARTICLE I Offices The principal office of the corporation in the state of Washington shall be located in the city of Seattle. The corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the state of Washington, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the corporation may require from time to time. The registered office of the corporation required by the Washington Business Corporation Act to be maintained in the state of Washington may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office in the state of Washington and the address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by officers designated by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE II Shareholders Section 1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the third Tuesday in the month of May each year, at the hour of 11:00 a.m., unless the Board of Directors shall have designated a different hour and day in the month of May to hold said meeting. The meeting shall be for the purpose of electing directors and the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday in the state of Washington and if the Board of Directors has not designated some other day in the month of May for such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the same hour and place on the next succeeding business day not a holiday. The failure to hold an annual meeting at the time stated in these Bylaws does not affect the validity of any corporate action. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated herein or by the Board of Directors for any annual meeting of the shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, at any time by the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors, by the President (or any Co-President), or by the Board of Directors and shall be called by the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors or the President (or any Co-President) at the request of holders of not less than 10% of all outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote on any issue proposed to be considered at the meeting. Only business within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice may be conducted at a special shareholder's meeting. Section 3. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the state of Washington, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of the corporation. If no such designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the principal offices of the corporation in the state of Washington. Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of annual or special meetings of shareholders stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the Secretary, or persons authorized to call the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting, unless otherwise prescribed by statute. Section 5. Waiver of Notice. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting may be waived in writing (either before or after such meeting) and will be waived by any shareholder by attendance of the shareholder in person or by proxy, unless the shareholder at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting. Any shareholder waiving notice of a meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of the meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given. Section 6. Record Date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders, or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for any such determination of shareholders, such date to be not more than seventy (70) days and, in the case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of shareholders is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the day before the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders. When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this Section, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date, which it must do if the meeting is adjourned more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date fixed for the original meeting. Section 7. Voting Lists. After fixing a record date for a shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the names of all shareholders on the record date who are entitled to notice of the shareholders' meeting. The list shall show the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. A shareholder, shareholder's agent, or a shareholder's attorney may inspect the shareholder list, at the shareholder's expense, beginning ten days prior to the shareholders' meeting and continuing 2 through the meeting, at the corporation's principal office or at a place identified in the meeting notice in the city where the meeting will be held during regular business hours. The shareholder list shall be kept open for inspection at the time and place of such meeting or any adjournment. Section 8. Quorum and Adjourned Meetings. Unless the Articles of Incorporation or applicable law provide otherwise, a majority of the outstanding shares of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. Once a share is represented at a meeting, other than to object to holding the meeting or transacting business, it is deemed to be present for the remainder of the meeting and any adjournment thereof unless a new record date is set or is required to be set for the adjourned meeting. A majority of the shares represented at a meeting, even if less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At a reconvened meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Business may continue to be conducted at a duly organized meeting and at any adjournment of such meeting (unless a new record date is or must be set for the adjourned meeting), notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shares from either meeting to leave less than a quorum. Section 9. Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by the shareholder's duly authorized attorney in fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Section 10. Voting of Shares. Every shareholder of record shall have the right at every shareholders' meeting to one vote for every share standing in the shareholder's name on the books of the corporation. If a quorum exists, action on a matter, other than election of directors, is approved by the shareholders if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless the Articles of Incorporation or applicable law require a greater number of affirmative votes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares of the corporation may not be voted if they are owned, directly or indirectly, by another corporation and the corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of shares of the other corporation entitled to vote for directors of the other corporation. Section 11. Acceptance of Votes. If the name signed on a vote, consent, waiver or proxy appointment does not correspond to the name of a shareholder of the corporation, the corporation may accept the vote, consent, waiver or proxy appointment and give effect to it as the act of the shareholder if: (i) the shareholder is an entity and the name signed purports to be that of an officer, partner or agent of the entity; (ii) the name signed purports to be that of an administrator, executor, guardian or conservator representing the shareholder; (iii) the name signed purports to be that of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy of the shareholder; (iv) the name signed purports to be that of a pledgee, beneficial owner or attorney-in-fact of the shareholder; or (v) two or more persons are the shareholder as co-tenants or fiduciaries and 3 the name signed purports to be the name of at least one of the co-owners and the person signing appears to be acting on behalf of all co-owners. ARTICLE III Board of Directors Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors. Section 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The number of directors of the corporation shall be twelve (12). Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successors shall have been elected and qualified. Directors need not be residents of the state of Washington or shareholders of the corporation. Section 3. Regular Meeting. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after and at the same place as, the annual meeting of shareholders. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place and on such day and hour as shall from time to time be fixed by the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors, the President (or any Co-President) or the Board of Directors. No other notice of regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be necessary. Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors, the President (or any Co-President) or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, either within or without the state of Washington, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. Section 5. Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least two days previously thereto by either oral or written notice. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the number of directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Section 7. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. 4 Section 8. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. A vacancy on the Board of Directors created by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election by the Board of Directors for a term of the office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders. Section 9. Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors, each director may be paid his expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and at each meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors and may be paid a stated salary as director, a fixed sum for attendance at each such meeting, or both. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Section 10. Presumption of Assent. A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting, or unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the Secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. ARTICLE IV Special Measures Applying to Both Shareholder and Director Meetings Section 1. Actions by Written Consent. Any corporate action required or permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or the laws under which the corporation is formed, to be voted upon or approved at a duly called meeting of the directors, committee of directors, or shareholders may be accomplished without a meeting if one or more unanimous written consents of the respective directors or shareholders, setting forth the actions so taken, shall be signed, either before or after the action taken, by all the directors, committee members or shareholders, as the case may be. Action taken by unanimous written consent of the directors or a committee of the Board of Directors is effective when the last director or committee member signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a later effective date. Action taken by unanimous written consent of the shareholders is effective when all consents have been delivered to the corporation, unless the consent specifies a later effective date. Section 2. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, members of a committee of directors, or shareholders may participate in their respective meetings by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating 5 in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Section 3. Written or Oral Notice. Oral notice may be communicated in person, or by telephone, wire or wireless equipment, which does not transmit a facsimile of the notice. Oral notice is effective when communicated. Written notice may be transmitted by mail, private carrier, or personal delivery; telegraph or teletype; or telephone, wire or wireless equipment which transmits a facsimile of the notice. Written notice to a shareholder is effective when mailed, if mailed with first class postage prepaid and correctly addressed to the shareholder's address shown in the corporation's current record of shareholders. In all other instances, written notice is effective on the earliest of the following: (a) when dispatched to the person's address, telephone number, or other number appearing on the records of the corporation by telegraph, teletype or facsimile equipment; (b) when received; (c) five days after deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed with first class postage, prepaid and correctly addressed; or (d) on the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee. In addition, notice may be given in any manner not inconsistent with the foregoing provisions and applicable law. ARTICLE V Officers Section 1. Number. The offices and officers of the corporation shall be as designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Such offices may include a Chairman or two or more Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, a President or two or more Co-Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Controller. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the same persons. Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of shareholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. Each officer shall hold office until a successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until the officer's death or resignation, or the officer has been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Section 3. Removal. Any officer or agent may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment, the best interests of the corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights. Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term. 6 Section 5. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors, shall preside at meetings of shareholders and directors and, together with the President and Co-Presidents, shall have general supervision and control over the business and affairs of the corporation. The Chairman or a Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors may sign any and all documents, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, leases, or other instruments in the ordinary course of business with or without the signature of a second corporate officer, may sign certificates for shares of the corporation with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the corporation and may sign any documents which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general may perform all duties which are normally incident to the office of Chairman of the Board of Directors or President and such other duties, authority and responsibilities as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Section 6. President. The President or Co-Presidents, together with the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, shall have general supervision and control over the business and affairs of the corporation subject to the authority of the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors appoint two or more Co-Presidents, the Co-Presidents shall, without further action or appointment by the Board of Directors, occupy the Office of the President, the members of which shall each have the authority and duties as set forth in this Section. The President or a Co-President may sign any and all documents, mortgages, bonds, contracts, leases, or other instruments in the ordinary course of business with or without the signature of a second corporate officer, may sign certificates for shares of the corporation with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the corporation and may sign any documents which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties, authority and responsibilities as may be prescribed by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors from time to time. Section 7. The Vice President. In the absence of the President and all Co-Presidents, or in the event of their death, inability or refusal to act, the Executive Vice President, if one is designated and otherwise the Vice Presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election, shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President may sign, with the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of the corporation; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Vice President by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of 7 the Board of Directors, President or any Co-President, or by the Board of Directors. Section 8. The Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and see that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all documents and the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such shareholders; (e) sign with the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, President or a Co- President, or with a Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation, or contracts, deeds or mortgages the issuance or execution of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation subject to the authority delegated to a transfer agent or registrar if appointed; and (g) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Secretary by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, President or any Co- President, or by the Board of Directors. Section 9. The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; (b) receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever and deposit all such monies in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of these Bylaws; and (c) in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Treasurer by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, President or any Co- President, or by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. Section 10. Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. The Assistant Secretaries, when authorized by the Board of Directors, may sign with the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, President or a Co- President, or with a Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation or contracts, deeds or mortgages, the issuance or execution of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, President or any Co-President, or by the Board of Directors. Section 11. The Controller. The Controller shall report to the 8 Treasurer and shall supervise and be responsible for daily operations of the Financial Department, accounts and account books of the corporation, all in the ordinary course of business. The Controller shall also perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Treasurer, by the Chairman or Co-Chairmen of the Board of Directors, by the President or any Co- President, or by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE VI Executive Committee Section 1. Appointment. The Board of Directors by resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board, may designate two or more of its members to constitute an Executive Committee. The designation of such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, of any responsibility imposed by law. Section 2. Authority. The Executive Committee, when the Board of Directors is not in session, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the Board of Directors except to the extent, if any, that such authority shall be limited by the resolution appointing the Executive Committee and except also that the Executive Committee shall not have the authority of the Board of Directors in reference to amending the Articles of Incorporation, adopting a plan of merger or consolidation, recommending to the shareholders the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the corporation otherwise than in the usual and regular course of its business, recommending to the shareholders voluntary dissolution of the corporation or a revocation thereof, amending the Bylaws of the corporation or any other action prohibited by applicable law. Section 3. Tenure and Qualifications. Each member of the Executive Committee shall hold office until the next regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors following his designation and until his successor is designated as a member of the Executive Committee and is elected and qualified. Section 4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Executive Committee may be held without notice at such times and places as the Executive Committee may fix from time to time by resolution. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by any member thereof upon not less than one day's notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, which notice may be written or oral. Any member of the Executive Committee may waive notice of any meeting and no notice of any meeting need be given to any member thereof who attends in person. The notice of a meeting of the Executive Committee need not state the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting. Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting thereof and action of the Executive Committee must be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. 9 Section 6. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board of Directors. Section 7. Resignations and Removal. Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed at any time with or without cause by resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board of Directors. Any member of the Executive Committee may resign from the Executive Committee at any time by giving written notice to the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors, the President (or any Co-President), or to the Secretary, of the corporation and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Section 8. Procedure. The Executive Committee shall elect a Chairman of the Executive Committee or two or more Co-Chairmen of the Executive Committee from its members and may fix its own rules of procedure which shall not be inconsistent with these Bylaws. It shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors for its information at the meeting thereof held next after the proceedings shall have been taken. ARTICLE VII Contracts, Loans, Checks and Deposits Section 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Section 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Section 3. Checks. Drafts. etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Section 4. Deposits. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select. ARTICLE VIII Certificates for Shares and Their Transfer Section 1. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of the corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman (or any Co- 10 Chairman) of the Board of Directors, the President (or any Co-President) or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimiles if the certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, or registered by a registrar, other than the corporation itself or one of its employees. If any officer who signed a certificate, either manually or in facsimile, no longer holds such office when the certificate is issued, the certificate is nevertheless valid. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name and address of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the corporation. All certificates surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed or mutilated certificate a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the corporation as the Board of Directors may prescribe. Section 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the corporation, or with its transfer agent, if any, and on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the corporation shall be deemed by the corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes. ARTICLE IX Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of February and end on the thirty-first day of January in each year. ARTICLE X Dividends The Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare and the corporation may pay dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its articles of incorporation. ARTICLE XI Corporate Seal The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the state of incorporation and the words, "Corporate Seal." 11 ARTICLE XII Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others Section 1. Right to Indemnification. Each person (including a person's personal representative) who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or by or in the right of the corporation, or otherwise (hereinafter a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he or she (or a person of whom he or she is a personal representative) is or was a director or officer of the corporation or, being or having been such a director or officer, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or in any other relationship or capacity whatsoever, of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan or trust or other trust, enterprise or other private or governmental entity, agency, board, commission, body or other unit whatsoever (hereinafter an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official capacity as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or in any other relationship or capacity whatsoever, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Washington Business Corporation Act, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment does not prohibit the corporation from providing broader indemnification rights than prior to the amendment), against all expenses, liabilities and losses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees, judgments, claims, fines, ERISA and other excise and other taxes and penalties and other adverse effects and amounts paid in settlement), reasonably incurred or suffered by the indemnitee; provided, however, that no such indemnity shall indemnify any person from or on account of acts or omissions of such person finally adjudged to be intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or from or on account of conduct of a director finally adjudged to be in violation of RCW 23B.08.310, or from or on account of any transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that such person personally received a benefit in money, property, or services to which the person was not legally entitled; and further provided, however, that except as provided in Section 2 of this Article with respect to suits relating to rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify any indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation. The right to indemnification granted in this Article is a contract right and includes the right to payment by, and the right to receive reimbursement from, the corporation of all expenses as they are incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advance of expenses"); provided, however, that an advance of expenses received by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee unless 12 required by the Board of Directors) shall be made only upon (i) receipt by the corporation of a written undertaking (hereinafter an "undertaking") by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay advances of expenses if and to the extent it shall ultimately be determined by order of a court having jurisdiction (which determination shall become final upon expiration of all rights to appeal), hereinafter a "final adjudication", that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article, and (ii) receipt by the corporation of written affirmation by the indemnitee of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct applicable (if any) under the Washington Business Corporation Act necessary for indemnification by the corporation under this Article. Section 2. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If any claim for indemnification under Section 1 of this Article is not paid in full by the corporation within sixty days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advance of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If the indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in any suit in which the corporation seeks to recover an advance of expenses, the corporation shall also pay to the indemnitee all the indemnitee's expenses in connection with such suit. The indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification under this Article upon the corporation's receipt of indemnitee's written claim (and in any suits relating to rights to indemnification where the required undertaking and affirmation have been received by the corporation) and thereafter the corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or shareholders) to have made a determination prior to other commencement of such suit that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or shareholders) that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, shall be a defense to the suit or create a presumption that the indemnitee is not so entitled. It shall be a defense to a claim for an amount of indemnification under this Article (other than a claim for advances of expenses prior to final disposition of a proceeding where the required undertaking and affirmation have been received by the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct applicable (if any) under the Washington Business Corporation Act to entitle the claimant to the amount claimed, but the corporation shall have the burden of proving such defense. If requested by the indemnitee, determination of the right to indemnity and amount of indemnity shall be made by final adjudication (as defined above) and such final adjudication shall supersede any determination made in accordance with RCW 23B.08.550. Section 3. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification (including, but not limited to, payment, reimbursement and advances of expenses) granted in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other powers or obligations of the corporation or of any other rights which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the common law, the corporation's 13 Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Notwithstanding any amendment to or repeal of this Article, any indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification in accordance with the provisions hereof with respect to any acts or omissions of such indemnitee occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. Section 4. Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person (including a person's personal representative) who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or who is or was a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent, or in any other relationship or capacity whatsoever, of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan or trust or other trust, enterprise or other private or governmental entity, agency, board, commission, body or other unit whatsoever, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss is now or hereafter granted to the corporation under the Washington Business Corporation Act. The corporation may enter into contracts granting indemnity, to any such person whether or not in furtherance of the provisions of this Article and may create trust funds, grant security interests and use other means (including, without limitation, letters of credit) to secure and ensure the payment of indemnification amounts. Section 5. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification and pay expenses in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding to employees and agent of the corporation with the same scope and effect as the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the corporation or pursuant to rights granted under, or provided by, the Washington Business Corporation Act or otherwise. Section 6. Separability of Provisions. If any provision or provisions of this Article shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article (including without limitation, all portions of any sections of this Article containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If an indemnitee is entitled to indemnification by the corporation for some or a portion of expenses, liabilities or losses, but not for the total amount thereof, the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify the indemnitee for the portion of such expenses, liabilities and losses to which the indemnitee is entitled. Section 8. Successors and Assigns. All obligations of the corporation 14 to indemnify any indemnitee: (i) shall be binding upon all successors and assigns of the corporation (including any transferee of all or substantially all of its assets and any successor by merger or otherwise by operation of law), (ii) shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the spouse, heirs, personal representatives and estate of the indemnitee, and (iii) shall continue as to any indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent (or other relationship or capacity). ARTICLE XIII Books and Records Section 1. Books of Accounts, Minutes and Share Register. The corporation shall keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its shareholders and Board of Directors, a record of all actions taken by the shareholders or Board of Directors without a meeting and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the Board of Directors exercising the authority of the Board of Directors on behalf of the corporation. The corporation shall maintain appropriate accounting records. The corporation or its agent shall maintain a record of its shareholders, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all shareholders, in alphabetical order showing the number and class of shares held by each. The corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at its principal office: the Articles or Restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments currently in effect; the Bylaws or Restated Bylaws and all amendments currently in effect; the minutes of all shareholders' meetings and records of all actions taken by shareholders without a meeting, for the past three years; its financial statements for the past three years, including balance sheets showing in reasonable detail the financial condition of the corporation as of the close of each fiscal year and an income statement showing the results of its operations during each fiscal year prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles or, if not, prepared on a basis explained therein; all written communications to shareholders generally within the past three years; a list of the names and business addresses of its current directors and officers; and its most recent annual report delivered to the Secretary of State of the State of Washington. Section 2. Copies of Resolutions. Any person dealing with the corporation may rely upon a copy of any of the records of the proceedings, resolutions, or votes of the Board of Directors or shareholders, when certified by the Chairman (or any Co-Chairman) of the Board of Directors, President (or any Co-President) or Secretary. ARTICLE XIV Amendment of Bylaws These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. 15 EX-4 3 TRUSTEE RESIGNATION TO: Nordstrom Credit, Inc. In connection with the appointment of Norwest Bank Colorado, National Association as successor trustee under the indenture (defined below), Wells Fargo Bank (Colorado), N.A. (the "Resigning Trustee"), hereby resigns as trustee under that certain indenture by and between the Company and the Resigning Trustee dated as of November 15, 1984 as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 15, 1988, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1989 and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 19, 1990 (as supplemented, the "Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (the "Securities") to be issued in one or more series under such Indenture. The Resigning Trustee acknowledges that $311,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of debt securities are outstanding under the Indenture. The resignation is provided pursuant to Section 610(b) of the Indenture, and shall be applicable with respect to all series of Securities heretofore issued under the Indenture. DATED: March 20, 1997 WELLS FARGO BANK (COLORADO), N.A. BY /s/ Richard J. Sullivan ------------------------ Richard J. Sullivan, III Vice President EX-4 4 TRUSTEE ACCEPTANCE TO: Wells Fargo Bank (Colorado), N.A. Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Norwest Bank Colorado, National Association (the "Successor Trustee"), hereby acknowledges and accepts its appointment by Nordstrom Credit, Inc. (The "Company") as successor trustee under that certain indenture by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank (Colorado), N.A., as successor trustee (the "Resigning Trustee"), dated as of November 15, 1984, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 15, 1988, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1989, and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 19, 1990 (as supplemented, the "Indenture"), providing for the issuance from time to time of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (the "Securities") to be issued in one or more series under such Indenture. This acceptance is given pursuant to Section 611 of the Indenture, and shall be applicable with respect to all series of Securities heretofore issued under the Indenture. Dated: March 20, 1997 NORWEST BANK COLORADO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION BY:/s/ Cheryl J. Hanson ---------------------------- Cheryl J. Hanson, Vice President The Company hereby confirms Norwest Bank Colorado, National Association is vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the Resigning Trustee under the Indenture. Dated: March 20, 1997 NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. BY:/s/ John C. Walgamott ----------------------------- John C. Walgamott, President EX-10 5 RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT This Receivables Purchase Agreement is executed by and between Nordstrom, Inc., a Washington corporation ("Nordstrom") and Nordstrom Credit, Inc., a Colorado corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Nordstrom ("Credit"). WHEREAS Credit is the owner and holder of certain amounts owing, from time to time, by a person or persons, including any guarantor thereof, under certain VISA accounts (I) owned by Nordstrom National Credit Bank as of July 31, 1996, other than VISA accounts which are 30 days or more delinquent on a contractual basis as of July 31, 1996, or (ii) originated y Nordstrom National Credit Bank during the period from the close of business on July 31, 1996 to the close of business on August 14, 1996, including in each case without limitation, amounts owing for the purchase of merchandise and services, periodic finance charges, cash advances and cash advance fees, access checks, annual cardholder fees, credit insurance premiums, late fees, overlimit fees, return check fees and all other fees and charges, and all monies due or to become due with respect to any of the foregoing and all proceeds (including "proceeds" as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC") of the State of Colorado) thereof, the aggregate amount of which as of July 31, 1996 was $208,462,983 (the "Receivables"); and WHEREAS Nordstrom desire to purchase from Credit, and Credit desires to sell to Nordstrom, the Receivables; NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows: 1. Credit hereby sells, transfers, assigns and conveys to Nordstrom all of Credit's right, title and interest in and to the Receivables, and Nordstrom hereby purchases all of such right, title and interest in and to the Receivables for a purchase price of $208,462,983; and 2. Credit agrees to do and perform, from time to time, any and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments required or reasonably requested by Nordstrom more fully to effect the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a financing statement relating to the transfer of the Receivables pursuant to this Agreement under the provisions of the UCC of the State of Colorado and any other applicable state and any financing statements or continuation statements relating to the Receivables requested by Nordstrom for filing under the provisions of the UCC of the State of Colorado or any other applicable state. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without reference to its conflict of law provisions, and the obligations, rights and remedies of the parties hereunder shall be determined in accordance with such laws. DATED this 14th day of August, 1996. NORDSTROM, INC., a Washington corporation By /s/ John A. Goesling ------------------------------ John A. Goesling, Executive Vice President NORDSTROM CREDIT, INC. a Colorado corporation By /s/ John A. Goesling ------------------------------ John A. Goesling, Executive Vice President EX-13 6 EXHIBIT 13.1 PORTIONS OF THE 1996 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Dollars in thousands except per share amounts
Fiscal Year 1996 Fiscal Year 1995 % Change -------------------------------------------------- Net sales $4,453,063 $4,113,517 +8.3 Earnings before income taxes 243,505 272,312 -10.6 Net earnings 147,505 165,112 -10.7 Net earnings per share 1.82 2.02 -9.9 Cash dividends paid per share .500 .500 0.0
STOCK TRADING
Fiscal Year 1996 Fiscal Year 1995 ----------------------------------------------- High Low High Low First Quarter 50 7/8 39 1/4 45 1/4 36 1/4 Second Quarter 52 7/8 39 1/4 44 3/4 35 Third Quarter 42 3/8 35 1/2 43 36 5/8 Fourth Quarter 44 35 7/16 43 3/8 37
Nordstrom, Inc. common stock is traded over-the-counter and quoted daily in leading financial publications. NASDAQ Symbol -- Nobe. Graph - Net Sales The vertical bar graph compares net sales for the past ten years. Beginning with the oldest fiscal year on the left, net sales (dollars are in millions) were as follows: 1987-$1,920; 1988-$2,328; 1989-$2,671; 1990-$2,894; 1991-$3,180; 1992-$3,422; 1993-$3,590; 1994-$3,894; 1995-$4,114; and 1996- $4,453. Graph - Net Earnings The vertical bar graph compares net earnings for the past ten years. Beginning with the oldest fiscal year on the left, net earnings (dollars in millions) were as follows: 1987-$92.7; 1988-$123.3; 1989-$114.9; 1990-$115.8 1991-$135.8; 1992-$136.6; 1993-$140.4; 1994-$203.0; 1995-$165.1; and 1996- $147.5. Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 3 MESSAGE TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS The past year has been full of ambitious change and exciting growth for Nordstrom. We opened new stores in Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, and Denver, each generating strong sales volume. Nordstrom achieved an 8.3 percent sales volume increase to a record $4.5 billion, although net income declined 10.7 percent to $147.5 million. While we did see a modest increase in sales, it came primarily from store expansion. Needless to say, we are disappointed with lower net income. A strategic reorganization of some of our women's apparel divisions brought higher-than-average markdowns that, combined with other factors including a disappointing holiday season, contributed to lower earnings. While we may have underestimated the downward impact that the merchandise reorganization would have on our financial results, we believe our women's apparel areas are now better positioned for future growth. In addition to our new full-line Nordstrom stores, the Rack Division opened its second Midwest location in Northbrook Court on the North Shore of Chicago. This brings our total number of full-line stores to 62 and Rack/clearance stores to 20. The additional 1,041,000 square feet brings the company total to 11,754,000. The Direct Sales Catalog Division continues to grow at a brisk pace. Operating performance was dramatically improved over the previous year. Additionally, we broke ground on a state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The center will not only better serve our mail order customers, but will allow room for further growth. We intend to have the first catalog filled and delivered through this facility in late summer 1997. This year, even more opportunity awaits us with new stores opening in Cleveland, Long Island and Hartford-significant markets for us. In 1998 and beyond, we are preparing to add stores in existing regions and expand into other excellent new markets. Some of these include Atlanta, Georgia; Overland Park, Kansas; Scottsdale, Arizona; Honolulu, Hawaii; Providence, Rhode Island; and a new flagship store in downtown Seattle, Washington. With continued store expansion and a focused effort to improve results at existing stores, our goal is to increase earnings and build value for our shareholders. As we look to the future, we do so with confidence. Our strength has always been -- and continues to be -- not just the quality of our merchandise, but the quality of our people. John Whitacre Page 4 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The following discussion and analysis gives a detailed review of the past three years, in addition to information on future commitments and trends. Some of the information in this annual report, including anticipated store openings, planned capital expenditures and trends in company operations are forward looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to predict fashion trends, consumer apparel buying patterns, the Company's ability to control costs and expenses, trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs, employee relations, adverse weather conditions and other hazards of nature such as earthquakes and floods, the Company's ability to continue its expansion plans, and the impact of competitive market factors. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the basic consolidated financial statements and the Ten-Year Statistical Summary. Sales Sales have increased to record levels in each of the past three years. The percentage change by year is as follows:
Fiscal Year 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales in comparable stores (open at least fourteen months) 0.6% (0.7%) 4.4% Sales in new stores 7.0% 5.2% 3.3% Direct sales catalog 0.7% 1.1% 0.8% ----- ---- ---- Total percentage increase 8.3% 5.6% 8.5% ===== ==== ====
After a healthy gain in comparable store sales in 1994, sales in comparable stores have changed only slightly in the last two years. In 1995, the Company experienced declining demand for apparel in general, as well as sales decreases at several stores in the Company's Chicago and New Jersey markets resulting from new store openings in those markets. In mid-1996, the Company changed the merchandise mix in most of its women's apparel departments in response to changing customer profiles and vendor product offerings. While management believes these changes will better position our women's apparel departments for future growth, they resulted in sales decreases in many of the departments. These decreases offset increases in other areas of business. In addition, in the fourth quarter, portions of the Company's holiday merchandising strategy were not executed as well as planned. The Company is continuing to evaluate its merchandise mix to meet customers' changing needs and increase sales. Sales in new stores includes sales from stores open less than fifteen months. The Company has continued to expand its store base over the past several years with new store openings. These new stores are generally not as productive as the Company's average store because customer base and traffic patterns are developed over time. As a result, sales growth from these new stores does not match the increase in average square footage over the past several years. The direct sales catalog division, which started in 1994, continues to grow rapidly with sales of $103 million in 1996. Although the Company's average price point has increased over the past several years, this has been due to changes in the merchandise mix. There has been little, if any, inflation in overall merchandise prices during the past several years. Page 10 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Graph - Percentage of 1996 Sales by Merchandise Category The pie chart depicts each merchandise category and its percent of total sales. Clockwise: Shoes - 20%; Men's Apparel and Furnishings - 18%; Women's Accessories - 20%; Children's Apparel and Accessories - 4%; Women's Apparel - 35%; and Other - 3%. The caption below the graph reads, "Sales by major merchandise category have changed only slightly over the past several years." Costs and Expenses As a result of increased sales, the total amount of costs and expenses has increased in each year. As a percentage of sales, total costs and expenses were 91.4% in 1994, 93.4% in 1995, and 94.5% for 1996. Unless otherwise indicated, the changes discussed below are stated as a percentage of sales as shown on page 14. Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs fluctuate as a percentage of sales primarily because of changes in the cost of sales component. With changes in merchandise styles and selections, cost of sales, and therefore the merchandise gross margin, can fluctuate up and down from year to year. During 1994, the merchandise margin improved dramatically because of higher than anticipated sales increases and implementation of part of the Company's new inventory management system. Nearly all categories of merchandise had higher margins, but women's apparel showed the greatest improvement following the low level in 1993. In 1995, the merchandise gross margin decreased because excess inventory levels led to higher markdowns as sales did not meet expectations. Merchandise margins decreased again in 1996 due to higher markdowns which resulted from the merchandise changes in the Company's women's apparel departments discussed earlier, a lower markup, and sales that were below expectations. Buying costs increased both in 1994 and 1995 as the Company spent more to develop its own merchandise brands and to develop and implement a new inventory management system. Occupancy costs increased in 1995 and 1996 as a result of new store openings and remodeling of older stores. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in both 1995 and 1996 for several reasons. In 1995, expenses in comparable stores continued to increase while sales declined. In addition, bad debts increased as a result of the growth of the Company's VISA credit card program, and the direct sales catalog division continued to incur high operating costs. In 1996, selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily because of higher bad debts. Rising consumer debt levels have led to higher charge-offs on the Company's credit card balances, particularly from personal bankruptcies. Improvements in the operating costs of the direct sales catalog division were offset by rising expenses in stores. During 1994, interest expense decreased as more interest was capitalized on projects under construction. Interest expense increased in 1995 because of higher borrowings to finance the Company's customer accounts receivable balances. In 1995, other income increased primarily due to an increase in service charge income because of higher levels of customer accounts receivable outstanding during the year. Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 11 MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Liquidity and Capital Resources Net cash used in investing activities exceeded net cash provided by operating activities in 1994 and 1995 as the Company increased its spending on new store construction and its investment in customer accounts receivable. In 1996, net cash provided exceeded net cash used as the growth of credit card receivables slowed dramatically. The Company believes that operating working capital (net working capital less short-term investments plus notes payable and the current portion of long-term debt) is a more appropriate measure of the Company's on-going working capital requirements than net working capital because it eliminates the effect of changes in the levels of short-term investments and borrowings. These levels can vary each year depending on financing activities. The Company's operating working capital has fluctuated as shown below:
Fiscal Year 1996 1995 1994 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating working capital (in thousands) $939,204 $1,068,923 $843,924 Percentage change from prior year (12.1%) 26.7% 13.3% Net sales/average operating working capital 4.4 4.3 4.9
In 1994, customer accounts receivable increased because the Company commenced its own Visa credit card program. The increase in customer accounts receivable along with higher merchandise inventories caused operating working capital to increase. In 1995, the Company increased its investment in customer accounts receivable through continued promotion of its Visa card program and by reducing the minimum payment on its proprietary credit card. This caused operating working capital to increase at a significantly greater rate than sales. During 1996, the Company's proprietary credit card balances did not increase because of continuing competition from third-party cards. The Company also reduced its efforts to promote its VISA credit card because of concerns about rising charge-offs. In addition, in 1996 the Company securitized its VISA credit card portfolio, as described more fully in Notes 5 and 12 to the accompanying financial statements. These factors together resulted in a decrease in operating working capital for the year. Graph - Investing and Operating Cash Flows The vertical bar graph compares cash provided by operating activities and cash used in investing activities for each year, for the past ten years. Dollars are in millions.
Cash used Cash provided in investing by operating Year activities activities - ---- ------------ ------------- 1987 $128.3 $ 87.7 1988 $153.4 $ 46.0 1989 $168.7 $122.2 1990 $200.7 $148.1 1991 $147.2 $154.0 1992 $ 71.9 $235.6 1993 $132.7 $262.1 1994 $246.9 $231.8 1995 $254.0 $121.9 1996 $206.1 $248.9
Page 12 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued) The Company has spent approximately $730 million during the last three years to add new stores and facilities and to improve existing stores and facilities. Over 2.4 million square feet of selling space has been added during this time period, representing an increase of 27%. Most of the new stores have been constructed by the Company on land that it owns or leases under long-term agreements, thus providing a strong basis for future operations. The Company plans to spend approximately $900 million on capital projects during the next three years, with approximately $250 million allocated to the refurbishment of existing stores. Although the Company has made commitments for stores to be opening in 1997 and beyond, it is possible that some stores may not be opened as scheduled because of environmental and land use regulations and the difficulties encountered by shopping center developers in securing financing. Management believes that the Company's current financial strength provides the resources necessary to maintain its existing stores and the flexibility to take advantage of new store opportunities. In view of the decrease in the Company's debt to capital ratio that occurred over time, the Board of Directors approved $100 million common stock repurchase programs in each of May 1995, November 1996 and February 1997. Through the end of 1996, the Company spent $121 million to repurchase 3,138,375 outstanding shares of its common stock under these programs. Management expects to complete the second program, and depending upon the price of the Company's shares and operating results, begin the third program in 1997. The anticipated growth of the Company's operations will require some external capital in the next three years. Nordstrom Credit, Inc. anticipates filing a shelf registration statement to register up to $250 million in debt securities in the first quarter of 1997. Management believes, however, that the expansion of the Company's operations over the next several years will not increase its debt to capital percentage. Management and the Board of Directors will continue to evaluate the prospects for future share repurchases. Graph - Square Footage by Market Area at end of 1996 The pie chart shows the percent of total square feet in each region and also gives the number of square feet for that region. Clockwise: Washington, 11.8%, 1,383,000; Other, 1.2%, 145,000; Midwest, 12.5%, 1,472,000; Oregon, 7.0%, 823,000; Utah/Colorado, 5.1%, 602,000; Southern California, 22.9%, 2,688,000; Northern California, 15.1%, 1,772,000; Capital, 12.6%, 1,481,000; Southwest, 2.1%, 249,000; and Northeast, 9.7%, 1,139,000. Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 13 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Dollars in thousands except per share amounts % of % of Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 sales 1995 sales - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Sales $4,453,063 100.0 $4,113,517 100.0 $3,894,478 100.0 ---------------------------------------- Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 3,082,037 69.2 2,806,250 68.2 2,599,553 66.7 Selling, general and administrative 1,217,590 27.3 1,120,790 27.2 1,023,347 26.3 Interest, net 39,400 .9 39,295 1.0 30,664 .8 Service charge income and other, net (129,469) (2.9) (125,130) (3.0) (94,644) (2.4) ---------------------------------------------------------- Total Costs and Expenses 4,209,558 94.5 3,841,205 93.4 3,558,920 91.4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Earnings before income taxes 243,505 5.5 272,312 6.6 335,558 8.6 Income taxes 96,000 2.2 107,200 2.6 132,600 3.4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Net Earnings $ 147,505 3.3 $ 165,112 4.0 $ 202,958 5.2 ========================================================== Net Earnings per share $1.82 $2.02 $2.47 ========================================================== Cash dividends paid per share $.50 $.50 $.385 ========================================================== The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 14 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Dollars in thousands January 31, 1997 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,284 $ 24,517 Accounts receivable, net 714,589 893,927 Merchandise inventories 719,919 626,303 Prepaid income taxes and other 69,607 68,029 ----------------------------------- Total Current Assets 1,532,399 1,612,776 Property, buildings and equipment, net 1,152,454 1,103,298 Other assets 17,654 16,545 ----------------------------------- Total Assets $2,702,507 $2,732,619 =================================== Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Notes payable $ 163,770 $ 232,501 Accounts payable 310,430 277,584 Accrued salaries, wages, and taxes 192,750 185,540 Accrued expenses 56,080 47,834 Accrued income taxes 13,045 14,644 Current portion of long-term debt 51,302 74,210 ----------------------------------- Total Current Liabilities 787,377 832,313 Long-term debt 329,330 365,733 Deferred lease credits and other deferred items 112,608 111,601 Shareholders' Equity 1,473,192 1,422,972 ----------------------------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $2,702,507 $2,732,619 =================================== The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 15 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Dollars in thousands except per share amounts Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock Authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 79,634,977, 81,113,144 and 82,244,098 shares Balance at beginning of year $ 168,440 $ 163,334 $ 157,374 Issuance of common stock 14,958 5,106 5,960 -------------------------------------- Balance at end of year 183,398 168,440 163,334 -------------------------------------- Retained Earnings Balance at beginning of year 1,254,532 1,180,466 1,009,130 Net earnings 147,505 165,112 202,958 Cash dividends paid ($.50, $.50, and $.385 per share) (40,472) (41,001) (31,622) Purchase and retirement of common stock (71,771) (50,045) - -------------------------------------- Balance at end of year 1,289,794 1,254,532 1,180,466 -------------------------------------- Total Shareholders' Equity $1,473,192 $1,422,972 $1,343,800 ====================================== The accompany Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Page 16 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Dollars in thousands Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Activities Net earnings $147,505 $165,112 $202,958 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 156,122 134,347 110,789 Change in: Accounts receivable, net (7,262) (218,036) (89,450) Merchandise inventories (93,616) 1,627 (42,328) Prepaid income taxes and other (1,578) (6,634) (9,746) Accounts payable 32,846 4,500 9,029 Accrued salaries, wages, and taxes 7,210 (4,961) 33,554 Accrued expenses 8,246 6,844 4,996 Income tax liabilities (12,216) (12,621) (4,518) Deferred lease credits 11,624 51,756 16,558 ---------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 248,881 121,934 231,842 ---------------------------------------- Investing Activities Additions to property, buildings and equipment, net (204,278) (252,876) (248,608) Other, net (1,838) (1,103) 1,660 ---------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (206,116) (253,979) (246,948) ---------------------------------------- Financing Activities Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization 186,660 - - (Decrease) increase in notes payable (68,731) 145,113 47,051 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 57,729 140,859 49,656 Principal payments on long-term debt (117,311) (75,967) (114,664) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 14,958 5,106 5,960 Cash dividends paid (40,472) (41,001) (31,622) Purchase and retirement of common stock (71,771) (50,045) - ---------------------------------------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (38,998) 124,065 (43,619) ---------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,767 (7,980) (58,725) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 24,517 32,497 91,222 ---------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 28,284 $ 24,517 $ 32,497 ======================================== The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 17` NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Dollars in thousands except per share amounts NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company: Nordstrom, Inc. is a fashion specialty retailer offering a wide selection of high quality apparel, shoes and accessories for women, men and children, principally through 62 large specialty stores and 20 clearance stores. All of the Company's stores are located in the United States, with approximately 40% of its retail square footage located in the state of California. The Company purchases a significant percentage of its merchandise from foreign countries, principally from the Far East. Any event causing a disruption in imports from the Far East could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations. In connection with the purchase of foreign merchandise, the Company has outstanding letters of credit totaling $55,183 at January 31, 1997. Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Merchandise Inventories: Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market, using the retail method. Property, Buildings and Equipment: Straight-line and accelerated methods are applied in the calculation of depreciation and amortization. Lives used for calculating depreciation and amortization rates for the principal asset classifications are as follows: buildings, 10 to 40 years; store fixtures and equipment, three to 15 years; leasehold improvements, life of lease or applicable shorter period. Store Preopening Costs: Store opening and preopening costs are charged to expense when incurred. Capitalization of Interest: The interest carrying costs of facilities being constructed are capitalized during their construction period based on the Company's weighted average borrowing rate. Earnings per Share: Earnings per share are computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Average shares outstanding were 80,848,984, 81,919,625, and 82,144,079 in 1996, 1995 and 1994. Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all short-term investments with a maturity at date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Customer Accounts Receivable: In accordance with trade practices, installments maturing in more than one year or deferred payment accounts receivable are included in current assets. Cash Management: The Company's cash management system provides for the reimbursement of all major bank disbursement accounts on a daily basis. Accounts payable at January 31, 1997 and 1996 include $14,414 and $16,760 of checks drawn in excess of cash balances not yet presented for payment. Deferred Lease Credits: Deferred lease credits are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the applicable lease. Derivatives: The Company limits its use of derivative financial instruments to the management of well-defined foreign currency and interest rate risks. The effect of these activities is not material to the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company has no off-balance sheet credit risk, and the fair value of derivative financial instruments at January 31, 1997 and 1996 is not material. Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The carrying amount of cash equivalents and notes payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt, estimated using quoted market prices of the same or similar issues with the same remaining maturity, is approximately $374,000 and $478,000 at January 31, 1997 and 1996. Page 18 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 2: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company provides a profit sharing plan for employees. The plan is fully funded by the Company and is non-contributory except for employee contributions made under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under this provision of the plan, the Company provides matching contributions up to a stipulated percentage of employee contributions. The Company contribution is established each year by the Board of Directors and totaled $36,000, $40,000, and $44,000 in 1996, 1995, and 1994. NOTE 3: INTEREST EXPENSE The components of interest expense are as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nordstrom, Inc. Short-term debt $ 432 $ 69 $ 69 Long-term debt 4,247 8,635 10,780 Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Short-term debt 12,703 10,184 5,085 Long -term debt 28,236 27,788 23,161 ----------------------------------- Total interest incurred 45,618 46,676 39,095 Less: Interest income (1,395) (2,204) (2,416) Capitalized interest (4,823) (5,177) (6,015) ----------------------------------- Interest, net $39,400 $39,295 $30,664 ===================================
NOTE 4: INCOME TAXES Income taxes consist of the following:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current income taxes: Federal $ 88,414 $ 94,855 $118,558 State and local 18,150 19,649 23,986 ------------------------------------ Total current income taxes 106,564 114,504 142,544 ------------------------------------ Deferred income taxes: Current (1,471) (3,339) (10,113) Non-current (9,093) (3,965) 169 ------------------------------------ Total deferred income taxes (10,564) (7,304) (9,944) ------------------------------------ Total income taxes $ 96,000 $107,200 $132,600 ====================================
A reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate with the effective tax rate is as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory rate 35.00% 35.00% 35.00% State and local income taxes, net of Federal income taxes 4.32 4.39 4.39 Other, net 0.10 (0.03) 0.11 --------------------------------- Effective tax rate 39.42% 39.36% 39.50% ==================================
Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expenses for tax and financial statement reporting as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax basis depreciation ($ 6,018) ($2,620) $ 521 Accrued expenses (3,084) (4,833) (4,416) Other (1,462) 149 (6,049) ----------------------------------- Total deferred income taxes ($10,564) ($7,304) ($9,944) ===================================
These items comprise substantially all of the deferred tax asset and liability balances. Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 19 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 5: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The components of accounts receivable are as follows:
January 31, 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Customers $719,916 $903,496 Other 21,466 19,824 Allowance for doubtful accounts (26,793) (29,393) ---------------------- Accounts receivable, net $714,589 $893,927 ======================
Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is concentrated in the geographic regions in which the Company operates stores. At January 31, 1997 and 1996, approximately 43% and 50% of the Company's receivables were concentrated in California. Concentration of the remaining receivables is considered to be limited due to their geographical dispersion. Bad debt expense totaled $51,352, $39,589 and $20,219 in 1996, 1995, and 1994. On August 15, 1996, the Company transferred substantially all of its VISA credit card receivables (approximately $203,000) to a trust in exchange for certificates representing undivided interests in the trust. A Class A certificate with a market value of $186,600 was sold to a third party, and a Class B certificate, which is subordinated to the Class A certificate, was retained by the Company. The Company owns the remaining undivided interests in the trust not represented by the Class A and Class B certificates (the "Seller's Interest"). These transactions had no significant impact on the Company's earnings in 1996 Cash flows generated from the receivables in the trust are, to the extent allocable to the investors, applied to the payment of interest on the Class A and Class B certificates, absorption of credit losses, and payment of servicing fees to the Company, which will continue to service the receivables for the trust. Excess cash flows revert to the Company. The Company's investment in the Class B certificate and the Seller's Interest totals $32,516 at January 31, 1997, and is included in customer accounts receivable. Pursuant to the terms of operative documents of the trust, in certain events the Company may be required to fund certain amounts pursuant to a recourse obligation for credit losses. Based on current cash flow projections, the Company does not believe any additional funding will be required. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125, which is effective for transfers of financial assets beginning in 1997, will not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations. NOTE 6: PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT Property, buildings and equipment consist of the following (at cost):
January 31, 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land and land improvements $ 50,542 $ 42,814 Buildings 450,227 448,596 Leasehold improvements 740,802 642,295 Store fixtures and equipment 746,152 672,887 ------------------------ $1,987,723 $1,806,592 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (944,470) (838,812) ------------------------ 1,043,253 967,780 Construction in progress 109,201 135,518 ------------------------ Property, buildings and equipment, net $1,152,454 $1,103,298 ========================
At January 31, 1997, the Company has contractual commitments of approximately $84,738 for construction of new stores. At January 31, 1997, the net book value of property located in California is approximately $320,000. The Company does not carry earthquake insurance in California because of its high cost. Page 20 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 7: NOTES PAYABLE A summary of notes payable is as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average daily short-term borrowings $242,033 $173,343 $106,092 Maximum amount outstanding 345,738 303,072 209,605 Weighted average interest rate: During the year 5.4% 5.9% 4.9% At year-end 5.3% 5.5% 6.0%
At January 31, 1997, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. has an unsecured line of credit with a group of commercial banks totaling $300,000 which is available as liquidity support for short-term debt, and expires in June 2001. Nordstrom Credit, Inc. pays commitment fees for the line in lieu of compensating balance requirements. NOTE 8: LONG-TERM DEBT A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
January 31, 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior notes, 8.875%, due 1998 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 Medium-term notes, Nordstrom Credit, Inc., 6.875%-9.6%, due 1997-2001 211,000 226,000 Notes payable, Nordstrom Credit, Inc., 6.7%, due 2005 100,000 100,000 Sinking fund debentures, Nordstrom Credit, Inc., 9.375% - 43,100 Other 19,632 20,843 ---------------------- Total long-term debt 380,632 439,943 Less current portion (51,302) (74,210) ---------------------- Total due beyond one year $329,330 $365,733 ======================
The senior note agreements contain restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict dividends to shareholders to a formula amount. At January 31, 1997, approximately $774,391 of retained earnings is not restricted. Aggregate principal payments on long-term debt are as follows: 1997-$51,302; 1998-$101,433; 1999-$59,326; 2000-$43,273; and 2001-$11,529. NOTE 9: LEASES The Company leases land, buildings and equipment under noncancelable lease agreements with expiration dates ranging from 1997 to 2080. Certain of the leases include renewal provisions at the Company's option. Most of the leases provide for additional rentals based upon specific percentages of sales and require the Company to pay for certain other costs. Future minimum lease payments as of January 31, 1997 are as follows: 1997-$30,782; 1998-$30,103; 1999-$29,654; 2000-$28,303; 2001-$27,061; and thereafter-$205,756. The following is a schedule of rent expense:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum rent: Store locations $15,468 $15,864 $16,022 Office, warehouses and equipment 17,815 17,309 18,336 Contingent rent: Store location percentage rent 13,673 13,741 14,078 Common area costs, taxes and other 9,504 9,831 9,032 ----------------------------------- Total rent expense $56,460 $56,745 $57,468 ===================================
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 21 NOTE 10: STOCK OPTIONS The Company provides a non-qualified stock option plan for certain key employees. Options are issued at market value at the date of grant and become exercisable over a four-year period. The number of shares reserved for future stock option grants is 301,917 at January 31, 1997. The Company has elected to follow the measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, under which no recognition of expense is required in accounting for its stock options. If the Company had elected to follow the measurement provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123") in accounting for its stock options, compensation expense would be recognized based on the fair value of the options at the date of grant. To estimate compensation expense which would be recognized under SFAS 123, the Company used the modified Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for options granted in 1996 and 1995, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 6.4% and 5.5%; expected volatility factors of .33 and .34; and expected dividend yield of 1% and expected life of 7 for both years. If SFAS 123 were used to account for the Company's stock option plan, the pro forma effect on net earnings and earnings per share would be as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------- Pro forma net earnings $145,603 $164,078 Pro forma net earnings per average share of common stock outstanding $1.80 $2.00
The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma disclosure are not indicative of future amounts as awards prior to 1995 are not included, and additional awards in future years are anticipated. A summary of stock option activity follows:
Weighted- Average Exercise Shares Price - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding, February 1, 1994 1,732,464 $31 Granted 345,770 46 Exercised (182,662) 27 Forfeited (17,322) 34 -------------------------------- Outstanding, January 31, 1995 1,878,250 35 Granted 419,080 41 Exercised (154,366) 28 Forfeited (41,625) 39 -------------------------------- Outstanding, January 31, 1996 2,101,339 36 Granted 372,122 46 Exercised (429,419) 31 Forfeited (184,289) 40 -------------------------------- Outstanding, January 31, 1997 1,859,753 $39 ================================
Weighted- Average Exercise Shares Price - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exercisable, January 31, 1995 964,023 $31 Exercisable, January 31, 1996 1,139,638 33 Exercisable, January 31, 1997 995,372 36
At January 31, 1997, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding is 7 years, with an exercise price of $22 to $51. Of the 1,859,753 stock options outstanding at January 31, 1997, 802,388 were below the quoted market price of the Company's stock of $37 and are exercisable over the next 7 years. Page 22 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 11: SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplementary cash flow information includes the following:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash paid during the year for: Interest (net of capitalized interest) $ 43,356 $ 42,248 $ 34,520 Income taxes 106,982 121,212 146,590
NOTE 12: CREDIT CARD AND FINANCING SUBSIDIARIES Nordstrom National Credit Bank (the "Bank"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issues a credit card for use in Company stores, and in 1994 introduced a VISA card. Nordstrom Credit, Inc., also a wholly owned subsidiary, finances all receivables generated through the use of the proprietary credit card, and until August 15, 1996, the VISA card. On August 15, 1996, substantially all of the outstanding VISA receivables were transferred to a trust in connection with a securitization of the receivables. As a result of this transaction, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. no longer purchases and finances receivables generated through the use of the Bank's VISA card, and the Bank securitizes all new VISA receivables through the trust. Net VISA receivables totaled $204,736 at January 31, 1996. Condensed combined financial information of these subsidiaries is as follows:
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service charge income $128,240 $122,973 $92,591 Other income 17,823 14,799 12,525 ------------------------------------ Total revenue $146,063 $137,772 $105,116 ==================================== Net earnings $ 31,518 $ 23,835 $ 23,019 ====================================
January 31, 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,374 $ 23,190 Accounts receivable, net 693,124 873,893 Other assets 7,846 8,126 ---------------------- Total assets $725,344 $905,209 ====================== Liabilities and investment of Nordstrom, Inc.: Notes payable: Nordstrom, Inc. $ 54,000 $ 86,000 Other 163,770 232,501 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 65,576 14,988 Long-term debt 311,000 369,100 Investment of Nordstrom, Inc. 130,998 202,620 ---------------------- Total liabilities and investment of Nordstrom, Inc. $725,344 $905,209 ======================
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 23 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 13: SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Year ended January 31, 1997 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net sales $905,962 $1,241,464 $984,440 $1,321,197 $4,453,063 Gross profit 288,850 379,576 319,062 383,538 1,371,026 Earnings before income taxes 42,897 74,081 55,736 70,791 243,505 Net earnings 25,897 44,781 34,036 42,791 147,505 Earnings per share .32 .55 .42 .53 1.82 Dividends per share .125 .125 .125 .125 .50 Year ended January 31, 1996 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net sales $815,598 $1,149,239 $906,848 $1,241,832 $4,113,517 Gross profit 261,864 369,455 294,564 381,384 1,307,267 Earnings before income taxes 45,677 89,065 48,542 89,028 272,312 Net earnings 27,677 53,865 29,442 54,128 165,112 Earnings per share .34 .65 .36 .67 2.02 Dividends per share .125 .125 .125 .125 .50
Page 24 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORTS REPORT OF MANAGEMENT The accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the other financial information presented in this Annual Report have been prepared by management. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts that are based upon our best estimates and judgments. Management is responsible for the consolidated financial statements, as well as the other financial information in this Annual Report. The Company maintains an effective system of internal accounting control. We believe that this system provides reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in accordance with management authorization, and that they are appropriately recorded, in order to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to adequately safeguard, verify and maintain accountability of assets. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on the recognition that the cost of a system of internal control should not exceed the benefits derived. The consolidated financial statements and related notes have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public accountants. The accompanying auditors' report expresses an independent professional opinion on the fairness of presentation of management's financial statements. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of the outside directors, and is responsible for recommending the independent certified public accounting firm to be retained for the coming year, subject to shareholder approval. The Audit Committee meets periodically with the independent auditors, as well as with management and internal auditors, to review accounting, auditing, internal accounting controls and financial reporting matters. The independent auditors and the internal auditors also meet privately with the Audit Committee. John A. Goesling Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Deloitte & Touche LLP Seattle, Washington; March 10, 1997 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 25 TEN YEAR STATISTICAL SUMMARY Dollars in thousands except square footage and per share amounts
Year ended January 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Position Customer accounts receivable, net $ 693,123 $ 874,103 $ 655,715 $ 565,151 $ 584,379 $ 585,490 Merchandise inventories 719,919 626,303 627,930 585,602 536,739 506,632 Current assets 1,532,399 1,612,776 1,397,713 1,314,914 1,219,844 1,177,638 Current liabilities 787,377 832,313 690,454 627,485 511,196 553,903 Working capital 745,022 780,463 707,259 687,429 708,648 623,735 Working capital ratio 1.95 1.94 2.02 2.10 2.39 2.13 Property, buildings and equipment, net 1,152,454 1,103,298 984,195 845,596 824,142 856,404 Long-term debt 380,632 439,943 373,910 438,574 481,945 511,000 Debt/capital ratio 26.98 32.09 25.56 29.11 33.09 40.74 Shareholders' Equity 1,473,192 1,422,972 1,343,800 1,166,504 1,052,031 939,231 Shares outstanding 79,634,977 81,113,144 82,244,098 82,059,128 81,974,797 81,844,227 Book value per share 18.50 17.54 16.34 14.22 12.83 11.48 Total assets 2,702,507 2,732,619 2,396,783 2,177,481 2,053,170 2,041,875 Operations Net sales 4,453,063 4,113,517 3,894,478 3,589,938 3,421,979 3,179,820 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 3,082,037 2,806,250 2,599,553 2,469,304 2,339,107 2,169,437 Selling, general and administrative 1,217,590 1,120,790 1,023,347 940,579 902,083 831,505 Interest, net 39,400 39,295 30,664 37,646 44,810 49,106 Service charge income and other, net (129,469) (125,130) (94,644) (88,509) (86,140) (87,443) Total costs and expenses 4,209,558 3,841,205 3,558,920 3,359,020 3,199,860 2,962,605 Earnings before income taxes 243,505 272,312 335,558 230,918 222,119 217,215 Income taxes 96,000 107,200 132,600 90,500 85,500 81,400 Net earnings 147,505 165,112 202,958 140,418 136,619 135,815 Earnings per share 1.82 2.02 2.47 1.71 1.67 1.66 Dividends per share .50 .50 .385 .34 .32 .31 Net earnings as a percent of net sales 3.31% 4.01% 5.21% 3.91% 3.99% 4.27% Return on average shareholders' equity 10.19% 11.94% 16.17% 12.66% 13.72% 15.38% Sales per square foot for Company-operated stores 377 382 395 383 381 388 Stores and Facilities Company-operated stores 83 78 76 74 72 68 Total square footage 11,754,000 10,713,000 9,998,000 9,282,000 9,224,000 8,590,000
Page 26 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries TEN YEAR STATISTICAL SUMMARY (CONTINUED) Dollars in thousands except square footage and per share amounts
Year ended January 31, 1991 1990 1989 1988 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Position Customer accounts receivable, net $ 558,573 $ 519,656 $ 465,929 $ 391,387 Merchandise inventories 448,344 419,976 403,795 312,696 Current assets 1,090,379 1,011,148 913,986 730,182 Current liabilities 551,835 489,888 448,165 394,699 Working capital 538,544 521,260 465,821 335,483 Working capital ratio 1.98 2.06 2.04 1.85 Property, buildings and equipment, net 806,191 691,937 594,038 502,661 Long-term debt 489,172 468,412 389,216 260,343 Debt/capital ratio 43.59 43.78 43.12 39.57 Shareholders' Equity 826,410 733,250 639,941 533,209 Shares outstanding 81,737,910 81,584,710 81,465,027 81,371,106 Book value per share 10.11 8.99 7.86 6.55 Total assets 1,902,589 1,707,420 1,511,703 1,234,267 Operations Net sales 2,893,904 2,671,114 2,327,946 1,920,231 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy 2,000,250 1,829,383 1,563,832 1,300,720 Selling, general and administrative 747,770 669,159 582,973 477,488 Interest, net 52,228 49,121 39,977 32,952 Service charge income and other, net (84,660) (55,958) (57,268) (53,662) Total costs and expenses 2,715,588 2,491,705 2,129,514 1,757,498 Earnings before income taxes 178,316 179,409 198,432 162,733 Income taxes 62,500 64,500 75,100 70,000 Net earnings 115,816 114,909 123,332 92,733 Earnings per share 1.42 1.41 1.51 1.13 Dividends per share .30 .28 .22 .18 Net earnings as a percent of net sales 4.00% 4.30% 5.30% 4.83% Return on average shareholders' equity 14.85% 16.74% 21.03% 18.84% Sales per square foot for Company-operated stores 391 398 380 349 Stores and Facilities Company-operated stores 63 59 58 56 Total square footage 7,655,000 6,898,000 6,374,000 5,527,000
Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries Page 27 RETAIL STORE FACILITIES The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each of the stores operated by the Company. The Company also operates leased shoe departments in 12 department stores in Hawaii and Guam. In addition, the Company operates seven distribution centers and leases other space for administrative functions.
Present Present Year opened total store Year opened total store Location or acquired area/sq. ft. Location or acquired area/sq. ft. - ------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON GROUP NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GROUP Downtown Seattle(1) 1963 245,000 Hillsdale Shopping Center 1982 149,000 Northgate Mall 1965 122,000 Broadway Plaza 1984 193,000 Tacoma Mall 1966 134,000 Stanford Shopping Center 1984 187,000 Bellevue Square 1967 285,000 The Village at Corte Madera 1985 116,000 Southcenter Mall 1968 170,000 Valley Fair 1987 165,000 Yakima 1972 44,000 280 Metro Center Rack 1987 31,000 Spokane 1974 121,000 Stonestown Galleria 1988 174,000 Alderwood Mall 1979 127,000 Downtown San Francisco 1988 350,000 Alderwood Rack 1985 25,000 Arden Fair 1989 190,000 Downtown Seattle Rack 1987 42,000 Stoneridge Mall 1990 173,000 Bellis Fair Rack 1990 20,000 Marina Square Rack 1990 44,000 SuperMall Rack 1995 48,000 UTAH GROUP OREGON GROUP Crossroads Plaza 1980 140,000 Lloyd Center 1963 150,000 Fashion Place Mall 1981 110,000 Downtown Portland 1966 174,000 Ogden City Mall 1982 76,000 Washington Square 1974 189,000 Sugarhouse Center Rack 1991 31,000 Vancouver Mall 1977 71,000 Park Meadows 1996 245,000 Salem Centre 1980 71,000 Clackamas Town Center 1981 121,000 CAPITAL GROUP Clackamas Rack 1983 28,000 Tysons Corner Center 1988 253,000 Downtown Portland Rack 1986 19,000 The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City 1989 241,000 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GROUP Potomac Mills Rack 1990 46,000 South Coast Plaza 1978 235,000 Montgomery Mall 1991 225,000 Brea Mall 1979 195,000 City Place Rack 1992 37,000 Los Cerritos Center 1981 122,000 Towson Town Center 1992 205,000 Fashion Valley Mall 1981 156,000 Towson Rack 1992 31,000 Glendale Galleria 1983 147,000 Franklin Mills Factory Santa Ana Rack 1983 22,000 Direct 1993 43,000 Topanga Plaza 1984 154,000 Annapolis Mall 1994 162,000 University Towne Centre 1984 130,000 King of Prussia 1996 238,000 Woodland Hills Rack 1984 48,000 The Galleria at South Bay 1985 161,000 NORTHEAST GROUP Westside Pavilion 1985 150,000 Garden State Plaza 1990 282,000 Horton Plaza 1985 151,000 Menlo Park Mall 1991 266,000 Mission Valley Rack 1985 27,000 Freehold Raceway Mall 1992 174,000 Montclair Plaza 1986 134,000 Faconnable 1993 10,000 North County Fair 1986 156,000 The Westchester 1995 219,000 MainPlace Mall 1987 169,000 The Mall at Short Hills 1995 188,000 Chino Town Square Rack 1987 30,000 Paseo Nuevo 1990 186,000 MIDWEST GROUP The Galleria at Tyler 1991 164,000 Oakbrook Center 1991 249,000 Santa Anita 1994 151,000 Mall of America 1992 240,000 Woodfield Rack 1994 45,000 ALASKA GROUP Old Orchard 1994 209,000 Anchorage 1975 97,000 Woodfield Shopping Center 1995 215,000 Circle Centre Mall 1995 216,000 SOUTHWEST GROUP Somerset Collection North 1996 258,000 Dallas Galleria 1996 249,000 Villiage Square Rack 1996 40,000 CLEARANCE STORES Arizona 48,000 (1) Excludes approximately 23,000 square feet of corporate and administrative offices.
Page 30 Nordstrom, Inc. and Subsidiaries NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Appendix
Graph Page - -------------------------------------------- Net Sales 3 Net Earnings 3 Percentage of 1996 Sales by Merchandise Category 11 Investing and Operating Cash Flows 12 Square Footage by Market Area at end of 1996 13
EX-21 7 EXHIBIT 21.1 NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Name of Subsidiary State of Incorporation - ------------------ ---------------------- Nordstrom Credit, Inc. Colorado Nordstrom National Credit Bank Colorado
EX-27 8
5 1,000 12-MOS JAN-31-1997 JAN-31-1997 28,284 0 741,382 26,793 719,919 1,532,399 2,096,924 944,470 2,702,507 787,377 329,330 0 0 183,398 1,289,794 2,702,507 4,453,063 4,453,063 3,082,037 4,209,558 0 51,352 39,400 243,505 96,000 0 0 0 0 147,505 1.82 1.82
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