Nordstrom to Close Santa Monica, St. Louis Stores

Nordstrom will close its Santa Monica Place store in California on August 26, 2025, and another store in St. Louis, Missouri, as part of a broader strategic shift and amid ongoing challenges in the retail sector. The Santa Monica store, which opened in 2010 and served as a key anchor for the mall, is closing as the area faces high vacancy rates and a decline in shopper traffic, particularly along the Third Street Promenade. Nordstrom will assist affected employees in finding roles at other locations and is focusing on leveraging nearby stores, digital channels, and alternative retail formats like Nordstrom Local. The company recently went private following a $6.25 billion acquisition by the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool. Other major retailers such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, At Home, CVS, and Walgreens have also announced widespread closures or bankruptcies in recent years. These moves highlight ongoing shifts and challenges in the U.S. retail landscape.