How to Sell to Nordstrom: Vendor Requirements Guide

To sell to Nordstrom, you need a buyer commitment, EDI set up by the compliance date Nordstrom assigns, and product that arrives with RFID-encoded tickets and follows the Nordstrom Routing Guide. Nordstrom requires RFID ticketing on a wide range of categories, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and home and gift, across its stores, Nordstrom Rack, and online channels. Brands that set up ticketing, labeling, and routing correctly before the first PO avoid compliance charges and delays at Nordstrom’s distribution centers.

This guide is for apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home brands preparing to sell through Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack. It covers vendor setup, Nordstrom’s requirements, drop-ship, and how ShipCalm’s Nordstrom integration helps brands launch.

How Do You Become a Nordstrom Vendor?

Nordstrom buyers find new brands through market weeks, showrooms, trade shows, and direct outreach. After a buyer commits, vendor setup moves through Nordstrom’s supplier systems.

1. Win a buyer: Present your line to the Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack buyer for your category.
2. Complete vendor setup: Provide company, tax, and contact information and receive a vendor number.
3. Access the supplier site: Nordstrom posts its supplier requirements, routing guide, RFID ticket standards, and product integrity rules on NordstromSupplier.com.
4. Set up EDI: Nordstrom assigns new vendors an EDI compliance date and provides EDI guidelines and testing.
5. Prepare product: Order RFID tickets, set up carton labels, and plan routing before your first shipment.

What Are Nordstrom’s Vendor Requirements?

Nordstrom’s requirements apply across its channels, which include Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom.com, and NordstromRack.com. The main ones:

• RFID ticketing: Since 2022, Nordstrom has required RFID tickets on a wide range of categories, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and home and gift products. The requirement has since expanded to Rack shoes and drop-ship goods. Nordstrom does not supply tags, and it recommends buying pre-encoded RFID tickets from a third-party ticket provider.
• GS1-compliant barcodes: RFID tickets must use GS1-compliant UPC or EAN barcodes, and every ticket needs a barcode.
• EDI: Purchase orders, advance ship notices, and invoices are exchanged by EDI, with drop-ship onboarding handled separately.
• Routing guide: Vendors must use approved carriers and follow the Nordstrom Routing Guide, which also covers freight invoicing and which distribution centers serve each store.
• Carton labels and ASNs: Distribution centers rely on ASNs to match every carton and SKU, so labels must be placed correctly and match the ship notice.
• Product integrity: Nordstrom publishes product safety requirements on the Product Integrity section of its supplier site.

How Does Nordstrom Drop-Ship Work?

Nordstrom.com and NordstromRack.com use drop-ship to offer more products online without holding the inventory. Drop-ship vendors receive orders electronically and ship directly to customers in Nordstrom-approved packaging, with packing slips and tracking that meet Nordstrom’s standards. Drop-ship onboarding is separate from store vendor setup, and RFID ticketing now applies to drop-ship goods as well.

Common Nordstrom Compliance Issues

• Missing or unreadable RFID tickets: Product without compliant tickets can lead to charges.
• ASN mismatches: Cartons that don’t match the ship notice slow receiving at the distribution center.
• Routing errors: Using an unapproved carrier or skipping routing instructions.
• Label placement: Carton labels in the wrong spot or missing required information.
• Late drop-ship orders: Missing ship times or tracking uploads on online orders.

How a 3PL Helps You Launch at Nordstrom

A 3PL that knows department store compliance can apply tickets, build compliant cartons, and handle routing while you manage the buyer relationship. Nordstrom is one of the retailers ShipCalm supports through its retail integrations.

• Ticketing and prep: RFID ticket application, hangers, and floor-ready prep through ShipCalm’s apparel fulfillment team.
• Compliant cartons: Labels and ASNs built from packed carton data so they match every time.
• EDI: Orders, ship notices, and invoices exchanged through providers like SPS Commerce.
• Routing: Shipments booked with approved carriers per the routing guide.
• Drop-ship fulfillment: Fast, tracked parcel shipping from ShipCalm’s Indianapolis and Southern California warehouses, with custom packaging options.

Nordstrom Launch Checklist

1. Get supplier site access and download the routing guide and RFID ticket standards.
2. Order pre-encoded RFID tickets from a third-party ticket provider.
3. Complete EDI testing before your assigned compliance date.
4. Confirm which distribution centers serve your stores.
5. Set up carton labels and ASN generation with your 3PL.
6. Complete drop-ship onboarding if you’ll sell on Nordstrom.com or NordstromRack.com.
7. Review the supplier site regularly for updates.

FAQ

Does Nordstrom require RFID tags?

Yes. Nordstrom requires RFID tickets on a wide range of categories, including apparel, shoes, accessories, and home and gift, across its stores, Rack, and online channels. Suppliers buy the tickets themselves, and Nordstrom recommends pre-encoded tickets from a third-party provider.

Where can I find the Nordstrom Routing Guide?

The Nordstrom Routing Guide is posted on NordstromSupplier.com. It covers approved carriers, distribution center assignments, and freight invoicing.

Can I drop ship for Nordstrom?

Yes. Nordstrom.com and NordstromRack.com run drop-ship programs. Onboarding is handled separately from store vendor setup, and drop-ship goods are now included in Nordstrom’s RFID ticketing requirements.

Are Nordstrom Rack requirements different?

Nordstrom Rack follows Nordstrom’s supplier requirements, including RFID ticketing, with its own buyers, POs, and some channel-specific contacts. Check the supplier site for any Rack-specific instructions.

Conclusion

Selling to Nordstrom takes RFID-ticketed product, EDI on time, and shipments that follow the routing guide to the letter. Brands that set up ticketing and carton compliance before the first PO launch faster and avoid charges as they grow across stores, Rack, and online. Talk to ShipCalm about launching your Nordstrom program.