A New Way to Shop: Nordstrom Reinvents Anniversary Sale 2020

Posted on August 04, 2020, 6:54 pm
8 mins

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A new era of doing business has been ushered in with the onset of Covid-19, and retailers are addressing this with innovative ways to reach their customer base. As Nordstrom reopens its stores and begins its biggest sale of the year, The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, it has been reinventing the process of shopping this major sale as it reconnects with its loyal customers.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, traditionally held in July, is one of the most highly anticipated annual shopping events. It offers a look at Fall 2020, and the chance to purchase new pieces on sale. These are not items brought in specifically for the sale or last season’s trends, but part of the Nordstrom new fall stock that go to full price once the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2020 Goes Through August

With social distancing rules in place, the retailer moved the date of Anniversary Sale form July to an Early Access online preview of all sale items. That began on July 24, but the sale goes fully public on August 19. During the preview, customers can save their favorites to a “Wish List”, allowing faster check out faster when it’s time to shop. This preview experience will replace the Nordstrom Anniversary print catalog this year.

Nordy Club card members with Icon, Ambassador or Influencer status will get even more time to shop Early Access. The higher your status, the earlier you shop. This is on top of the six days of Early Access all cardmembers get to shop before the sale opens to the public.

While everyone can preview, the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open for shopping to non Nordy Club members August 19-30. You can also shop the sale at the stores during normal business hours on those sale dates. Perks for Nordy Club members include a complimentary cup of brewed coffee from any Nordstrom restaurant or Ebar while they shop the Anniversary Sale.

Daily Deals: A New Addition To the Anniversary Sale

Beginning August 19-30, Nordstrom will release exclusive ‘Daily Deals’ each day of the public Anniversary Sale. These discounts extend up to fifty-percent off on select items from brands, including Herschel, AllSaints, Steve Madden, Spanx and Madewell.

The Nordstrom Anniversay Sale 2020 has brands for women like Frame Denim, Good American, Madewell, Topshop, Nike, Veronica Beard, L’Agence, Vince, Free People, Avec Les Filles and more, many of them with items under $100. For men, there is Nike, Adidas, Vince, RVCA, AG Jeans, and Paige, with plenty of wallet-friendly price points.

It’s 2020, of course, so the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will also feature an expanded assortment of loungewear, activewear and cozy home items. Whatever it takes to accommodate stay-at-home and work at home life during the pandemic.

This week, VS Editor Sarah Caples and I had the opportunity to preview the sale, and it was so great to be back in the flagship store. With safety measures in place throughout the store, we perused each department. Here are a few of our favorites.

Fall 2020 Accessory Updates

 

 

Clare V. Midi Leopard Print Leather Crossbody Bag, $249.90

 

Accessories are always a strong point at Nordstrom, and the 2020 Anniversary Sale is a greatchance to find an update to wardrobe essentials. We are loving the leather leopard print line from handbag maker Clare V., including the Midi Crossbody, pictured above, and the Simple Suede Tote, both in camel or green print. The COACH Trail Leather Crossbody is an archival 1994 style reinvented for today, and looks like a vintage vanity bag.

We are officially in the dog days of summer, so update those sunnies. A pair of Fendi 55mm Gradient Cat Eye Sunglasses showcases the Italian logo with chic style. And the gorgeous Missoni Extra Long Metallic Wool Blend Scarf in their classic zigzag might be a chic addition to wearing a mask this fall.

Gifts To Yourself And Others And Your Home

 

diptyque Limited Edition Travel Size Candle Set, $85.

 

For a little self-care, customers will find hundreds of beauty, grooming and wellness exclusives from brands like La Mer, Le Labo, Kiehl’s, Jack Black, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Tom Ford, and Beautybio. The beauty department also has a variety of gift set and exclusive sets for giving and for trying new product lines. We love the diptyque Set of 5 Travel Size Limited Edition Scented Candles and this fabulous Tom Ford Eye Color Quad & Mini Lip Color Set.

Bonus: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2020 has scheduled virtual beauty events every day, August 19–30. Resident beauty experts will team up with leaders across the industry, and you can tune in.

 

Smeg 50s Retro Style Two-Slice Toaster, $171.90

 

In home, there was lots to love from Anthropologie, The White Company, S’well, Serene House, Rachel Parcell, Deny Designs and Smeg, including this Smeg 50s Retro Toaster in fabulous rose gold. (There also is matching electric teapot.)

2020 Fall Coat Favorites

 

There is no better time than the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to grab a cozy coat or jacket for autumn. Avec Les Filles makes chic statement coats that are stylish and at a great price point. We couldn’t decide, but the Plaid Double Face Coat and the Houndstooth Coat are two standouts.

We were also smitten with the Roller Rabbit sleepwear, with its super soft cotton and cheeky prints for work days at home that don’t require ZOOM meetings. Vince pieces stood out this year, especially their butter soft Leather Zip Leggings. Rebecca Taylor’s Tie Waist Faux Leather Jumpsuit in a deep navy is a unique and beautiful way to stand out.

Shop Local At The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2020

As many of you know, Nordstrom, initially a shoe store, was founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin in Seattle in 1901. John Nordstrom handed down the shoe store to his three sons, and over time it has grown from a local Seattle business to the largest independent store in the nation.

Now more than ever it is important for us to support the businesses, large and small, that have been part of the fabric of our city for many years. We are helping to ensure that they will continue to thrive.

Images courtesy of Nordstrom.

 

Lisa Cole is the fashion and style writer for Vanguard Seattle, and her work includes covering fashion news and events, runway shows and boutiques. She has her own fashion and lifestyle blog, www.westfultonstreet.com, and is a member of Independent Fashion Bloggers and Fashion Group International.