Financial Performance - In 2024, Nordstrom reported net earnings of 294million,representing2.0593 million or 4.1% of net sales [151]. - Total Company net sales increased by 2.4% to 14.557billion,withNordstromRacksalesrisingby8.05.167 billion, while Nordstrom sales decreased by 0.5% to 9.390billion[162].−ComparablesalesfortheCompanyincreasedby3.65,161 million, up 245millionfrom2023,withgrossprofitasapercentageofnetsalesincreasingto35.5495 million, an increase of 244millionfrom2023,withanEBITmarginof3.41.74 in 2024, up 0.92from2023,primarilyduetohighersales[175].−Netearningsforfiscalyear2024were294 million, significantly higher than 134millionin2023and245 million in 2022, resulting in earnings per share of 1.79[237].SalesandRevenue−Digitalsalesaccountedfor3615,016 million, compared to 14,693millionin2023and15,530 million in 2022 [237]. - Net sales for fiscal year 2024 were 14,557million,anincreasefrom14,219 million in 2023, but a decrease from 15,092millionin2022[321].OperationalImprovements−OperationalimprovementsincludedtheexpansionofRFIDtechnology,enhancinginventoryaccuracyandreducinginventoryshrinkage[155].−TheCompanylaunchedadigitalMarketplaceonNordstrom.cominQ12024,featuringover400sellersandaimingtoscalefurtherin2025[154].−Nordstromopened23newNordstromRackstoresin2024andplanstoopenasimilarnumberin2025,indicatingastronginvestmentstrategy[156].CashFlowandInvestments−Cashandcashequivalentsincreasedto1,035 million as of February 1, 2025, up from 628millionin2023,drivenbychangesinworkingcapital[182].−Netcashprovidedbyoperatingactivitiesincreasedby646 million from 2023 to 2024, reaching 1,267million,primarilyduetochangesinworkingcapitalandhighernetearnings[186].−FreeCashFlowfor2024was747 million, a significant increase from 54millionin2023,reflectingimprovedoperatingcashflows[198].−Capitalexpenditures,netfor2024were506 million, down from 534millionin2023,withtechnologyinvestmentsaccountingfor562,618 million as of February 1, 2025, compared to 2,612millionin2024[240].−ThecompanyhadnooutstandingborrowingsundertheRevolverasofFebruary1,2025,maintainingashort−termborrowingcapacityof771 million [330]. - Adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio was 2.8 as of February 1, 2025, indicating the company's creditworthiness [205]. - Net cash used in financing activities increased by 263millionfrom2023to2024,totaling372 million, primarily due to the retirement of 2.30% senior notes [191]. Mergers and Acquisitions - The pending merger with members of the Nordstrom family and Liverpool is expected to close in the first half of 2025, transitioning Nordstrom to a private company [158]. - Nordstrom, Inc. will merge with Norse Holdings, Inc., with shareholders receiving 24.25pershareincashuponclosing[298].−Themergerissubjecttocertainclosingconditions,includingshareholderapprovalsandregulatoryclearances[300].InventoryandAssets−EndinginventoryasofFebruary1,2025,increasedby112,104 million as of February 1, 2025, compared to 1,888millionin2024[240].−Totalassetsincreasedto8,966 million as of February 1, 2025, from 8,444millioninthepreviousyear[240].−Land,property,andequipmentnetvalueasofFebruary1,2025,was3.039 billion, down from 3.177 billion in 2024 [322]. Expenses and Liabilities - SG&A expenses increased to 5,125 million in 2024, representing 35.2% of net sales, primarily due to higher labor costs and supply chain asset impairment charges [170]. - Total advertising expenses for the fiscal year were 318million,slightlyupfrom313 million in the previous year [264]. - The company recorded a significant increase in accrued salaries, wages, and related benefits, rising to 424millionfrom244 million in the previous year [240]. - Total lease cost, net for fiscal year 2024 was 372million,anincreaseof7.5346 million in 2023 [325]. Accounting Changes - The company changed its accounting method for merchandise inventories from the retail inventory method to the weighted average cost method effective February 4, 2024 [228]. - The cumulative effect of changing the inventory accounting method resulted in a decrease to accumulated deficit of 39million,netoftaxof14 million [280].