Nordstrom is investing something like $100 million in nationwide store remodels, which is most evident right now in the Downtown Seattle and Bellevue Square stores. Both are among the top Nordstrom stores in the nation (and I bet that if not for the other 4 stores in the greater Seattle area, they'd be #1 and #2). But which one is better? A comparison:
- Nordstrom Seattle has a vastly expanded sunglass shop, while Bellevue's is (at least for now) still in a nook where the concierge used to be.
- Seattle has Chanel RTW and accessories shops, both of which are being renovated. Bellevue has neither.
- Both Bellevue and Seattle have Gucci accessories shops, and when Bellevue finishes renovations, both will have Gucci RTW shops.
- Bellevue is also adding a Dolce & Gabbana shop, which Seattle recently added.
- Bellevue is adding the nation's first (and currently only) Prada shop, whereas Seattle isn't adding Prada, likely because of the current proximity of Prada RTW at both Mario's and Barneys, both within a block (see related post here).
- Bellevue is getting Miu Miu, which only the South Coast Plaza Nordstrom is also getting.
- Seattle is (re)adding an Yves Saint Laurent shop, which Bellevue is not.
- Bellevue is getting Marchesa, whereas Seattle is adding Givenchy. This, more than anything, speaks about the type of designer customer to which each store is catering.
- David Yurman is getting space at Bellevue, whereas Yurman is still part of the Fine Jewelry department in Seattle.
- Seattle has had trunk shows for Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Chanel in recent months.
- Seattle's Salon Shoes department carries a wider variety of brands, including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Giuseppe Zanotti, Chanel, Prada, Miu Miu, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and more. Bellevue has more basic brands, like Burberry and Gucci, with a smattering of more progressive brands, like Dries Van Noten.
- Additional brands Bellevue has carried that Seattle has not: Narciso Rodriguez, Roberto Cavalli, Burbery Prorsum.
- Additional brands Seattle has carried that Bellevue has not: Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney, Sophia Kokosalaki, Zac Posen, Blumarine, and Chloe.
While not a comprehensive list, the main point is that there's a ton of stuff for any designer-obsessed Seattle shopper at either of these locations. I can't wait to see how the stores look when they're done.
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