Historical Essay: Nordstrom IncA household name, Nordstroms is known all over the world, but their empire is primarily located in America. A sophisticated department store, this well-known chain was established over a century ago in a small shoe store. Over the years, this business was passed down from generation to generation and evolved into the modern and fashionable company we know today. John W. Nordstrom was just a sixteen-year-old Swedish immigrant when he arrived in Minnesota in 1887, with only five dollars. in his name and not a word of English. In 1899, he moved to Seattle, where he opened a shoe store with a shoemaker named Carl Wallin, whom he had met in Alaska, and the store opened in 1901. The two young men had no idea of the industry they were about to build. Business picks up quickly. In 1905, the business continued to grow, and in 1923 the partners opened a second store. But in 1928, John Nordstrom decided to retire at age 57, passing his share to his two sons. By the following year, his partner Wallin had also retired and sold his share to the next generation of Nordstrom. In 1930, without Wallin, the next generation decided to change the name of the shoe store to Nordstroms. The company from which John Nordstrom retired was much larger than it was the year it was founded in 1901. The next generation of Nordstroms recognized their responsibility. To expand their father's success, in 1929 they doubled the size of their Seattle store. In the 1930s, the stores enjoyed success during the Great Depression, but faced a new threat during World War II, when leather rationing prohibited American consumers from purchasing more than three pairs of shoes per month. year. In the postwar decades, the Nordstrom brothers were considered innovative in many areas, but Nordstrom had stayed away from significant investments in systems technology until the mid-1990s. In 1995, a new system information system was installed, as well as a new personnel processing, payroll and benefits system. In late 1998, the company launched its online store at nordstrom.com. Nordstrom shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in June 1999. Simple Swede John Nordstrom was just another immigrant with a dream, and he had no idea of ​​the empire what his modest little shoe store would one day become. More than a hundred years after he and Wallin went into business, Nordstroms is one of the largest department stores in the world and continues to grow every day. Over the years, this company was passed down from generation to generation and became the modern and fashionable company we know today..