Big Data: Nordstrom’s Innovation and Investment for the Future | Center For Digital Strategies (2024)

Big Data: Nordstrom’s Innovation and Investment for the Future | Center For Digital Strategies (1)

As Tech@Tuck fast approaches, we’ve been thinking about the different ways that big data impacts our panelists. In considering one of our visitors, Alexis Hoopes T’06 from Nordstrom, we are excited to learn more about how the company uses the data from its integrated online and store inventory systems as well as from its Fashion Rewards Program to customize shopping experiences.

Nordstrom has been a breakthrough leader in the retail space when it comes to enhancing the online shopping experience. As one the first big retailers to adopt a full-scale online channel for its customers, Nordstrom continues to innovate on its e-commerce platform to provide the best customer experience. In addition to an enhanced iPad app, Nordstrom recently updated its website, integrating not only online inventory but also in-store inventory to provide its aspiring customers with multiple options to leisurely shop. Nordstrom has taken a huge step forward in integrating the online inventory with in-store inventory, a step that few competitors have been able to follow – it shows customers in real time where a product is available and when they can expect to receive. Utilizing this real-time data service for customers has proven to increase same-store sales for Nordstrom and beaten the department store average.

But Nordstrom’s isn’t stopping there. Announced by Nordstrom’s chief financial officer on the 2011 year-end earnings call, Nordstrom is doubling down on the web, announcing $1 billion investment in its e-commerce channel over the next five years. Nordstrom has invested in partnering with JMP software to understand product and brand relationships for their customers. The idea is to figure out how to promote the right products and brands to the right customers – with goal of making customers happier but also to maximize revenue during the process. Nordstrom’s can use the analytical data from the JMP software to figure out which segments of customers are more like to buy brand Y after buying brand X – the idea is that Nordstrom can make better promotion and merchandising decisions while making it easier for customers to find exactly what they want.
At the 2012 Shop.org Summit, Jamie Nordstrom, President of Nordstrom Direct, gave the keynote speech on what makes Nordstrom so successful. Nordstrom emphasized the focus on customer service and part of that customer service is personalization. Nordstrom acknowledged that five years ago using personal data to advise customers about what they might like seemed “creepy,” but now Nordstrom believes customers have shown they want a more personalized experience. Nordstrom advises that possessing knowledge about a customer will play an increasingly large role in building loyalty with her, similar to the likes of how an iTunes or Netflix builds loyalty by providing relevant recommendations.

How does Nordstrom collect that customer data? Nordstrom has a widely popular Fashion Rewards Program that allows shoppers great benefits such as free alterations and early access to anniversary sales. In order to gain these perks, a shopper must have a Nordstrom credit card or a Nordstrom Visa card that tracks the shoppers spend and rewards points. Nordstrom has upped the ante in 2012 by adding even more benefits to shoppers by lowering status thresholds and offering cash back on purchases in an effort to grow its customer base. What we’re interested to see is how Nordstrom will use this shopper information moving forward to provide even more tailored shopping experiences for its customers.

To Nordstrom, building loyalty isn’t only about miles, points and discounts; it’s about giving people something personalized and relevant that they value – that is what Nordstrom banks on for what’s going to make customers consistently loyal to its brand in the future.


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Big Data: Nordstrom’s Innovation and Investment for the Future | Center For Digital Strategies (2024)

FAQs

How does Nordstrom use big data? ›

Nordstrom's can use the analytical data from the JMP software to figure out which segments of customers are more like to buy brand Y after buying brand X – the idea is that Nordstrom can make better promotion and merchandising decisions while making it easier for customers to find exactly what they want.

How will big data be used in the future? ›

In the future, big data analytics will increasingly focus on data freshness with the ultimate goal of real-time analysis, enabling better-informed decisions and increased competitiveness.

How does Nordstrom use technology? ›

Nordstrom makes use of a personal information system dubbed Personal Book. Personal Book, once a paper book in the store, is now a digital directory of all past Nordstrom customers, their personal information and their personal shopping history.

How is Nordstrom innovative? ›

Nordstrom's innovative approach to data helps the store understand its customers and create personalized experiences. Its personal book software is integrated into the point-of-sale system to provide real-time shopper information. Each online customer has a profile with their style preferences and purchase history.

Why Nordstrom's digital strategy works? ›

Because Nordstrom.com and the Nordstrom app are integrated with the inventory management system, customers can find what they want in one place and have it delivered from somewhere else to a third place.

How does big data help digital marketing? ›

Big data plays a key role in digital marketing as it helps the marketers and the business determine their business' insights. It gives all the required information regarding their highs and lows, including customers' behavior towards their business.

Why is big data important for the future? ›

Companies use big data in their systems to improve operations, provide better customer service, create personalized marketing campaigns and take other actions that, ultimately, can increase revenue and profits.

How can we benefit from big data? ›

A few properties of big data are volume, variety, velocity, and variability. A few benefits of big data include better decision-making, improved customer service, and improved operational efficiency.

What are the strategies of Nordstrom? ›

Nordstrom's customer strategy is centered on three strategic pillars: providing a compelling product offering, delivering outstanding services and experiences and leveraging the strength of the Nordstrom brand.

What is closer to you Nordstrom strategy? ›

Nordstrom had named this campaign CLOSER TO YOU, and it became the heart of our story: in division there is the opportunity to grow closer, and in uncertainty there is still space for levity, for boldness, for love. This campaign was shot during COVID-19, and was highlighting Nordstrom's response to the pandemic.

What are the key success factors for Nordstrom? ›

Best in class customer service. A key differentiator between Nordstrom and other retailers is its customer service. Nordstrom empowers its employees to use their best judgement in all situations. Employees are also given the flexibility to determine the best way to solve a customer's problem.

What is the future of Nordstrom? ›

Nordstrom expects its revenue to grow more than 25% in 2021, with digital claiming approximately 50% of total sales. The upscale department store retailer released its fiscal 2021 outlook and new “Closer to You” long-term growth strategy at its annual investors day.

How does Nordstrom use technology to improve its customer service? ›

You will get personalized advertisem*nts depending on your purchase history! Nordstrom uses various social media channels, such as Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter to connect with their customers. By engaging with these social apps, they understand customer preferences and the pulse of the fashion industry.

What software does Nordstrom use? ›

Nordstrom is switching to a new cloud-based point-of-sale system run by technology-solutions provider Infor. Infor Rhythm for Commerce will give the specialty retail chain tools to maintain accuracy across the company's many locations and to manage information more efficiently in a cross-channel environment.

What is an effective digital strategy? ›

A digital strategy is a high-level plan that implements new digital initiatives and technologies to achieve more efficient business processes. A digital strategy roadmap helps companies digitally innovate and unlock new opportunities to create competitive advantages, grow revenue, and create value.

What are the benefits of digital strategy? ›

Benefits of creating a digital strategy
  • Enhanced data collection. ...
  • Improved asset management. ...
  • More effective use of resources. ...
  • Increased brand recognition. ...
  • Determine the purposes of the strategy. ...
  • Define your brand. ...
  • Identify customer channels. ...
  • Create a content strategy.
Nov 21, 2022

What makes a successful digital strategy? ›

Simply put, a digital strategy helps you plan the application of tech to working practices to improve overall capabilities. A good digital strategy focusses on the tech you need to improve performance, streamline processes, and perform myriad other changes to better achieve your mission.

What is big data in digital? ›

The definition of big data is data that contains greater variety, arriving in increasing volumes and with more velocity. This is also known as the three Vs. Put simply, big data is larger, more complex data sets, especially from new data sources.

How does big data impact digital transformation? ›

Data analytics processes big data to facilitate organizations in extracting useful information from it. Such as information that organizations can then use to create marketing and business decisions while undergoing complete digital transformation.

How does big data impact business strategy? ›

Big data analytics & business strategy

Big data analytics is a powerful tool to help build a business strategy. It brings valuable insights to the existing business and helps make better decisions. Big data can identify problems, optimize processes, predict future trends, and make informed decisions.

What are 3 advantages and disadvantages of big data? ›

If a company uses big data to its advantage, it can be a major boon for them and help them outperform its competitors. Advantages include improved decision making, reduced costs, increased productivity and enhanced customer service. Disadvantages include cybersecurity risks, talent gaps and compliance complications.

What is big data and why is it important? ›

Big data refers to data that is so large, fast or complex that it's difficult or impossible to process using traditional methods. The act of accessing and storing large amounts of information for analytics has been around for a long time.

How can big data add value to business? ›

Business activity of all kinds can be improved by using big data. It helps optimize business processes to generate cost savings, boost productivity and increase customer satisfaction. Hiring and HR management can become more effective.

What is the main point of big data? ›

Big data is the set of technologies created to store, analyse and manage this bulk data, a macro-tool created to identify patterns in the chaos of this explosion in information in order to design smart solutions. Today it is used in areas as diverse as medicine, agriculture, gambling and environmental protection.

What is the most goal of big data? ›

The goal of big data is to increase the speed at which products get to market, to reduce the amount of time and resources required to gain market adoption, target audiences, and to ensure customers remain satisfied.

How does big data help solve problems? ›

Predictive Analysis

With huge amounts of data, you can easily predict trends and your future needs for the business. This sort of knowledge gives you an edge over your peers in this competitive world.

What are the important three ways in big data? ›

These are the 3 V's of big data: volume, velocity and variety.

What Nordstrom will focus on in 2023? ›

For Nordstrom Inc., high on the agenda for 2023 is starting with clean inventories, improving Rack, and elevating the customer experience.

What are Nordstrom goals and objectives? ›

(NYSE: JWN), we exist to help our customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision we make. This heritage of service is the foundation we're building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers.

What is Nordstrom's competitive advantage? ›

In virtually every year of the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, Nordstrom ranked as the consumer fashion retail industry leader in service quality. 2 Applying this customer service knowledge to technology proves to provide retailers such as Nordstrom with a competitive advantage.

What challenges does Nordstrom face? ›

Nordstrom faces competition from traditional department stores, specialty retailers, discount stores, and e-commerce platforms. Increased competition can lead to price wars, reduced profit margins, and a potential loss of market share.

What is the Nordstrom Way summary? ›

The Nordstrom Way is to focus solely and exclusively on doing whatever it takes to create a satisfied customer. The underlying philosophy and culture of the Nordstrom Way is disarmingly simple: Use your own initiative to provide customers with exceptional levels of service.

What are 3 examples of key success factors? ›

Key success factors

Examples would include agility, reliability, diversity and emotional connection with clients. Key success factors are one of three elements a company's management team must articulate as part of its strategic planning process, with the others being its strategic goals and its strategic scope.

What are the strengths of Nordstrom? ›

In conclusion, Nordstrom's primary strengths lie in its customer service and strong brand reputation. The company, however, faces competition from other luxury retailers and e-commerce giants, necessitating innovation and expansion into new markets.

What are the 5 key success factors? ›

The five critical success factors are strategic focus, people, operations, marketing, and finances. How to find success factors? The first step in finding and identifying success factors is understanding the overall objective of a project and the processes required to achieve it.

What is Nordstrom best known for? ›

Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion retailer offering compelling clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and kids. Since 1901, we've been committed to providing our customers with the best possible service—and to improving it every day.

Is Nordstrom a good company to invest in? ›

Stocks receive better grades (higher scores) for having higher scores for the quality subcomponents and worse grades (lower scores) for lower scores for the subcomponents. Nordstrom Inc has a Quality Score of 71, which is Strong.

Who is Nordstrom's target market? ›

Nordstrom's Target Market: Middle to upper class men and women. Customers who are fashion conscious.

How to improve customer satisfaction using digital technology? ›

Ways to improve customer satisfaction in the digital age
  1. Take action on and with customer feedback. ...
  2. Optimize for omnichannel. ...
  3. Measure, measure, measure. ...
  4. Prioritize self-service solutions. ...
  5. Automate wherever you can.
Oct 18, 2022

What are the benefits of digital technologies in customer service? ›

Benefits of digital channels for customer service
  • Increase customer satisfaction levels and employee experiences by reducing customer effort and addressing CX pain points in real-time.
  • Empower agents with the service solutions, automation tools, and data they need to effectively resolve customer inquiries.

What makes Nordstrom unique? ›

It's a favorite retail store because of its great, unique discriminators. Consider its high-touch service, its spacious look and feel, top quality products, and personalized customer service, both on- and offline.

How Nordstrom used design thinking? ›

Nordstrom has used the principles of design thinking to quickly generate solutions that produce human centered design. The design thinking process is also about “making it real fast” and aiming to build an MVP (minimum viable product).

Which type of generic strategy does Nordstrom follow? ›

Nordstrom builds its differentiation strategy around offering designer merchandise and providing exceptional service.

How do retail companies use big data? ›

What is Retail Data Analytics? Retail analytics is the process of using big data to optimize pricing, supply chain movement, and improve customer loyalty. Big data describes a large volume of data that is used to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions.

How is big data used in retail? ›

Put simply, big data analytics is the collection and interpretation of information on a grand scale. Computer algorithms identify patterns and trends in retail data, which can then be used in conjunction with qualitative data on typical human behavior, interactions and experiences.

How do companies use big data? ›

Companies use big data in their systems to improve operations, provide better customer service, create personalized marketing campaigns and take other actions that, ultimately, can increase revenue and profits.

How does Nordstrom measure success? ›

Nordstrom's pillars of success can seem relatively simple: premium pricing, fantastic customer service, and an exceptional shopping experience… But again, as the Nordstrom CEO points out, “Customers will buy more when they're happy.”

What is an example of big data in retail? ›

Big Data Case Study – Predicting Demand

The weather forecast is not just about the weather. It has much more to offer. A weather channel predicts the impact of weather on their viewers' emotions. One such example of Big Data Analytics in retail is the collaboration of Pantene, Walgreens, and The Weather Channel.

What are the benefits of big data in retail industry? ›

4 big data benefits for retail. Big data analysis can predict emerging trends, target the right customer at the right time, decrease marketing costs, and increase the quality of customer service.

What is the importance big data analytics in retail industry? ›

In the retail industry, big data analytics helps companies collect and analyze customer purchase history and preference data, which further helps them attract new customers.

How big data is transforming the retail industry? ›

Big data analytics is transforming the retail industry by enabling retailers to gain valuable insights into their customers, optimize their inventory and supply chain operations, personalize their marketing efforts and customer experiences, and predict sales trends.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of big data in retail? ›

If a company uses big data to its advantage, it can be a major boon for them and help them outperform its competitors. Advantages include improved decision making, reduced costs, increased productivity and enhanced customer service. Disadvantages include cybersecurity risks, talent gaps and compliance complications.

Why big data is very important in a business? ›

Big data analytics helps organizations harness their data and use it to identify new opportunities. That, in turn, leads to smarter business moves, more efficient operations, higher profits and happier customers.

How big data can improve your company? ›

Improved business operations

Business activity of all kinds can be improved by using big data. It helps optimize business processes to generate cost savings, boost productivity and increase customer satisfaction. Hiring and HR management can become more effective.

What is big data in simple words? ›

Put simply, big data is larger, more complex data sets, especially from new data sources. These data sets are so voluminous that traditional data processing software just can't manage them. But these massive volumes of data can be used to address business problems you wouldn't have been able to tackle before.

How big data helps in growth of business? ›

With Big Data, business organizations can use analytics, and figure out the most valuable customers. It can also help businesses create new experiences, services, and products. Read more: What is Big Data and What Are Its Benefits?

What is Nordstrom's strategic vision? ›

Nordstrom Vision Statement

To serve our customers better, to always be relevant in their lives and to form lifelong relationships.

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