Real growth for a brand doesn't just come out of nowhere. Even with a high-quality product that's both functional and inherently desirable, you can still find yourself under the radar and small after decades in the market. So how did a 100-year-old+ sneaker company like New Balance suddenly pierce through the noise and become one of the most relevant and talked-about athletic footwear brands today?

In part, through massive pro-athlete endorsements across every major sport; like Major League Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, NBA power forward Kawhi Leonard, tennis star Coco Gauff and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, just to name a few. In the past several years New Balance has exploded in cultural credibility, as both an exceptional athletic shoe and as everyday fashion-forward streetwear. Underneath it all? A focused, relentless strategy to build global momentum without losing the soul of the brand.

At the helm of this transformation is our guest for this episode, Joe Preston, President and CEO of New Balance.

You'll also hear from our Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Men's and Active Footwear for Nordstrom Garrett Bean, who breaks down this moment for New Balance from a retail partnership perspective: what's selling, why it's working, and where it's all headed.

And for a little extra color, we'll stop in at our current summer-long New Balance activation at The Corner, which is our rotating pop-up shop on 57th and Broadway at our flagship store in New York City.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 88. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

Every spring, on the first Monday in May, an incredible transformation takes place on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The streets overflow with cars and people. A staircase becomes a red carpet. And a museum becomes a full-on party, filled with a select few of the biggest names in pop culture and the fashion industry. Spectators all around the world stop for this one moment all asking the very same question: “Did you see what they were wearing?”

The Met Gala is fashion at full volume. A place where ideas come to life in silk, sequins, and sometimes… steel. At its core, it’s a fundraiser; but it’s also a veritable stage performance, a runway, and a virtual cone of silence for each attendee that mostly follow a strict no phone policy. The secrecy around what goes on inside, and the exclusive, hand-picked guest selection process are the fuel to this most envied of annual fashion events. Luckily for us, as friends of Anna Wintour — who’s been organizing the event since 1995 — Nordstrom often gets the highly coveted invite. And luckily for you, this year, we’ve decided to bring the Nordy Pod along with us.

Joining us at the Met this year is someone who’s become a fairly regular voice on the podcast, and who is certainly a well-seasoned, longtime Met Gala attendee: our VP, Fashion Director at Nordstrom, Rickie De Sole.

Also along for the ride is a super talented and up-and-coming fashion designer by the name of Rachel Scott of Diotima, who was just last year awarded the CFDA Fashion Award for American Womenswear Designer. We’ve recently started carrying her brand at Nordstrom, and she actually designed the dress that Rickie’s wearing to the Met.

We’ll also learn more about the theme for this year’s gala, which is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” from our Men's Fashion Director at Nordstrom, Jian Deleon.

Join us for fashion’s most spellbinding night. A high-octane collision of creativity, celebrity, and fashion. Who’s in attendance? Who’s best dressed? Who stole the show? We’ll answer these questions, and more, as the Nordy Pod goes to the Met.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 87. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

In the retail world, we often throw around the term "disruptor" when we’re talking about a promising new brand that breaks through the busy marketplace and challenges the status quo; or even leads the charge in a broader cultural movement. But in some cases, that story isn't about something new at all, but something enduring. Something that's been there all along, waiting for the world to catch up. Birkenstock is one such brand.

For the majority of their roughly 250-year lifespan, Birkenstock—one of the oldest footwear brands in the world—has been slowly simmering in the background. They built a modestly successful business around the revolutionary innovation and the thoughtful evolution of their signature contoured footbeds, and over time their undeniable comfort and noticeable orthopedic benefits earned them an incredibly loyal yet hyper-niche following. Then, something remarkable happened. In 2012, at a Celine runway show, designer Phoebe Philo—known really in the fashion world for redefining modern luxury—walked out wearing a pair of fur-lined sandals that looked remarkably like Birkenstocks. It wasn't a marketing campaign. It wasn't a collaboration. It was just one woman, making a choice. And the world noticed.

To help us better understand the incredible growth of this brand in the last decade plus, and the very tangible touchstone for its continued success, we're going to hear from David Kahan, President and General Manager of the Americas for Birkenstock.

After that we'll take a closer look at Nordstrom's unique partnership with Birkenstock from one of our very own: Women's Footwear Buyer Randa Farran.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 86. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

There's an interesting moment that happens nowadays. You're on your phone, you're scrolling through reels of cat videos and your cousin's baby's first birthday cake smash and then… there it is. A person you've never met, standing in perfect golden-hour light, wearing an outfit that makes you stop and think, "Hey, maybe I could pull that off." Then, before you even realize you're shopping, you've clicked through, checked your size and added it to your cart. It didn't start in a store. You didn't search for a brand or a product. You saw a person. And although you don't know them, you trust them. And that trust has become the new currency in the rapidly expanding business of Influencing.

The social media influencer, once a niche personality with a smartphone and a few followers, has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, reshaping retail and redefining the relationship between brands and their audiences all over the world.

To help us better understand the impact that these content creators are having on our business we'll first chat with our very own Vice President of Marketing for Nordstrom, Marie Langhout-Franklin.

After that we'll explore the broader landscape of influencing and retail with a super-talented entrepreneur by the name of Amber Venz Box, co-founder and President of an incredibly powerful social retailing platform called LTK.

To wrap it all up you'll hear from an actual full-time influencer by the name of Sara Walker.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 85. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

Brands come and go. Trends rise and fall. Customer taste changes. There are a million different variables involved in the success of any one brand, and very few actually stand the test of time. But every once in a while, amid the chaos of the fashion and retail marketplace, something sticks. But how does that happen? Is there a formula? What are the essential pillars, the stepping stones that guarantee longevity beyond a brand's initial buzz?

In this episode we'll uncover the core principles of long-term success with one such brand that consistently defies expectations and remains one of Nordstrom's top-five brands year after year. You've heard the name. You've seen the boot. It's UGG.

Join us for a chat with Stefano Caroti, President and CEO of Deckers, the company that owns UGG and several other successful footwear brands that we carry.

After that, stick around to hear more about our unique partnership with Deckers from Anna Kaplan, our Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Women's and Kids' Footwear.

Appearing on fashion icons and influencers alike, in the halls of every single high school across the U.S., UGG can be found around the globe, on men and women of all ages. Deckers has a special thing going on and we're super happy to be a part of it.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 84. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

A piece of jewelry isn't just an accessory, it's a marker in time, a monument to the most important moments in our lives: an anniversary, a graduation, a birthday, a bachelorette party. So, what does it take to build a brand that people don't just buy from, but that they connect with? The kind of brand that brings people together.

Today we'll explore the answer to that question and more with our guest, CEO and co-founder of the British luxury jewelry brand by the same name, Monica Vinader. We'll dive deep into the history of Monica's brand and her incredible breakthroughs in the craft of jewelry making from several different unique perspectives—the brand, the partnership and the sales floor—to uncover the secret to Monica's irresistible products and the source of the intense emotional connection the brand has with our customers.

Since launching in 2008, Monica has built from scratch an internationally recognized label with a laser focus on bringing more accessibility to high-quality materials, contemporary design and sustainable craftsmanship. But how do you take an idea like that and turn it into something real? Monica shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, how she works to keep the brand values strong and what the future holds for this rapidly expanding business.

After that, we'll hear from our Divisional Merchandise Manager for main floor accessories at Nordstrom, Denise Junell, to learn more about the incredible value of Monica's brand in our stores and the unique partnership that’s made us so successful together.

And to round it all out we'll get a floor-level perspective on the brand from one of our very own salespeople, Christiane Buck, who's a DSA—or Designated Sales Associate—for Monica Vinader at our store in the Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda, Maryland.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 83. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

Join Pete as he rides around the streets of Milan in a van with the Vice President of the Nordstrom fashion office, Rickie De Sole, Executive Vice President, General Merchandise Manager for Apparel and Designer, Sam Lobban, Senior Vice President of Designer and Brand Partnerships, Brian Roberts, and Pete’s cousin and Chief Merchandising Officer, Jamie Nordstrom. Get the ground-level experience of this highly anticipated fashion event, learn about the latest trends, changes in the business and hear some of our team’s biggest takeaways from this season in Milan.

Also, as part of our trip to Milan, Pete will be dropping by to chat with one of our most important brand partners, Gildo Zegna, CEO and third-generation leader of the Italian luxury menswear brand ZEGNA.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 82. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

Wait a minute—Nordstrom? The high-end fashion department store that sells apparel and accessories from brands like Gucci and Prada and Louis Vuitton? They sell baby gear?! The answer is yes—and on top of making you feel great about the comfort and safety of your newborn baby, we're going to make sure you look good too. Listen in as Pete talks with Brad Bickley, global president of the luxury baby gear brand Nuna, who managed to slap a baby-on-board sticker to our store window and made Nuna one of Nordstrom's top-selling brands.

After Pete's conversation with Brad, stick around to hear more about the challenges and benefits of carrying this characteristically complex category from our divisional merchandise manager for kids at Nordstrom, Rachel Eichen. Expectant parents, you're going to love this episode. And I guarantee you're going to love Nuna.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 81. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

The wildfires in Southern California have devastated communities. Nordstrom has been proud to serve the Los Angeles region for decades and we believe we have a responsibility to support our people, our customers and our community as they recover from this tragedy. In this episode, we're going to explore our company's values and the important work our team is doing to help a community in need.

Our host, Pete Nordstrom, talks with a few Nordstrom leaders—Michelle Korb, regional manager of Southern California, and store managers Mari Lagunas and Lucy Minasian—who all displayed incredible poise and empathy during this crisis as they led support efforts for our team members and customers. A loyal Nordstrom customer named Kristin Mauck describes Nordstrom as a safe haven for her sister in the darkest moment of her life. You'll also hear the devastating account of Pete's good friend Sam Jones, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades fire.

We're proud of the compassion of our store teams who've donated their time and money to help each other and our community, and we as a company are committed to contributing to the ongoing relief efforts. We've partnered with organizations like the American Red Cross and the Good+ Foundation to raise money for shelter, food and supplies and we're also matching our employees' donations dollar for dollar. We've been amazed to see employees from across the country chip in to support—it shows that our team has a commitment to service that extends far beyond the walls of our buildings.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 80.

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

In this episode we're going to be giving you a front row seat at Retail’s Big Show, which is an annual conference held in New York City hosted by the National Retail Federation, or NRF. This gathering of around 40,000 retail industry professionals, vendors and leaders is one of the largest events of its kind in the world and creates space for like-minded businessmen and women to network, share ideas and explore new and exciting emerging technologies. At this year's event Pete had the great opportunity to sit down on stage with his good friend Joshua Schulman, who recently accepted a new position as CEO of the iconic 169-year-old British luxury fashion brand Burberry. Joshua has had an insanely impressive career leading some of the world's most prestigious fashion brands, holding roles like CEO of Michael Kors, CEO and President of Coach, President of Bergdorf Goodman and the Neiman Marcus Group, CEO of Jimmy Choo, EVP at Saint Laurent and Worldwide Director at Gucci. In their conversation, Pete and Joshua dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of luxury retail, the power of brand heritage and how Burberry is navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing market. Joshua's insights into innovation, customer experience and the future of luxury are both inspiring and thought-provoking. Fledgling and seasoned retailers alike would do well to pay close attention to the unique perspective of this industry giant.

Also, stay tuned after our featured conversation with Joshua for a window into Pete's fun-filled travel adventure that nearly rendered him sans socks and absent from the NRF conference.

Thanks for tuning in to episode 79. We hope you enjoy it!

Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to [email protected] to be a part of the conversation! And be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.