Nordstrom has closed the doors of its downtown San Francisco store. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

One of the flagship retailers in downtown San Francisco has called it quits. Nordstrom closed the doors on its five-story, 312,000-square-foot store Sunday for the last time ever, the latest retailer to capitulate to rising crime and lower foot traffic.

The news wasn’t a surprise. Nordstrom announced it planned to shut down the once-vibrant store in May.

“The dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past several years, impacting customer foot traffic to our stores and our ability to operate successfully,” Jamie Nordstrom, chief stores officer, wrote in a letter to employees at the time.

While Nordstrom was once one of the kings of downtown San Francisco shopping, its final days were anything but glorious. Displays were empty, and areas were sealed off.

The company also shut down its Nordstrom Rack on Market Street last month, walking away from the heart of the city.

Nordstrom joins a growing contingent of retailers abandoning the area. Office Depot, Old Navy, Saks Off 5th, and Anthropologie have shuttered their downtown locations, and a nearby Whole Foods has also left, citing safety concerns.

Nordstrom’s departure has extra ripple effects, though. Westfield, the mall where the closing store is located, announced it would be giving the property back to its lender. That mall has been a fixture on Market Street for over 20 years. Sales at the mall, named San Francisco Centre, came in at $298 million last year, compared with $455 million in 2019, Westfield said when announcing the decision. Foot traffic at the mall was down 42% in that same time period.

“A growing number of retailers and businesses are leaving the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers, and employees, coupled with the fact that these significant issues are preventing an economic recovery of the area,” the mall’s owner said at the time Nordstrom announced the closing.

San Francisco has been in the midst of what some call a “doom spiral,” with office buildings and businesses still empty in the post-pandemic landscape. Crime has reached levels high enough to prompt some downtown pharmacies to lock up shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries. And armed robbers recently hit a Gucci store in broad daylight.

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After a year-long search, struggling retailer Gap Inc. has found a new chief executive officer in Richard Dickson, the president and chief operating officer of toy company Mattel Inc. The owner of such brands as Gap, Old Navy and Athleta praised Dickson’s track record as a “proven transformational brand builder” who it hopes “redefines the future potential” of Gap, whose stock surged as much as 9%. Here’s hoping for Gap’s sake.

What the San Francisco-based retailer failed to mention in its announcement is that Dickson becomes the seventh CEO over the last 20 years to take on the challenge of turning around Gap’s ailing fortunes. In that time, Gap’s shares have fallen 48%, compared with a gain of 356% for the benchmark S&P 500 Index. Such performance over a sustained period of time suggests Gap’s troubles are deeply structural, and it’s fair to ask whether any one person can right this ship.

The post Retailer Hole’s Struggles Are Larger Than Any One CEO appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

There are many ways to track home design trends. One of the best is considering what retailers are seeing specifiers and homeowners purchasing – especially retailers that cater to both professional and consumer clientele across the country, like the Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery chain and its Build with Ferguson website.

Here are five of their latest residential trends showing an increasing focus on wellness, along with what they signify, and related insights from designers who shared their own experiences via professional social media groups and email.

Biophilic Intention

provide a biophilic feast for the occupants.Image courtesy of Signature Hardware at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Biophilia literally translates to love of living elements, and signifies design elements that are inspired by nature and/or incorporate natural materials. The purpose is to provide a nurturing, relaxing space for occupants.

“Think biomimicry: wallpapers, leafy tile designs, art echoing nature, and marble with water-like color and pattern. Play with living finishes on wood and metals and enjoy the beauty of organic shapes,” suggests Seattle-based kitchen designer Paula Kennedy. “Though our natural urge is to connect with nature, we’re indoors 87% of the time,” she adds. “Inviting the outdoors inside becomes vital.”

“One way to do that includes maximizing natural sunlight whenever possible,” notes New York designer Isfira Jensen. “Another way is to select natural materials. Finally, I incorporate indoor plants throughout the home whenever possible.”

Wetroom Bathrooms

accessibility. Image courtesy of Kallista at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

This trend combines tub and shower in a single space — usually the home’s primary bathroom — rather than in a single fixture, like the tract home tub/shower combinations many of us grew up with. The wetroom takes advantage of surfacing materials designed to handle water and slip resistant flooring, as well as maximizing space and potentially adding accessibility with roll-in entry to the shower section of the bathroom.

“Wet bathrooms are becoming increasingly popular in our interior design projects. The traditional notion of separating dry and wet areas in a bathroom is evolving as clients seek more versatile spaces,” notes Alberta, Calgary area designer Michelle Fleischhacker. “The open and most often-barrier free layout of wet bathrooms can help our clients ‘future-proof’ their spaces should they encounter mobility challenges down the road. Without the need to step over a bathtub or into a shower enclosure, entry and movement are more straightforward,” the Canadian professional adds.

“Wet rooms can overcome the constraints of narrow dimensions in bathrooms, providing homeowners with more amenities in the same footprint,” observes Seattle area designer Molly McCabe. She cautions though, for remodeling projects, they “require very careful planning and often engineered stamped permit drawings, also local building code knowledge.”

Eco-mindfulness

sustainability and wellness.Image courtesy of Wolf at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Sustainability is a definite benefit of eco-mindful design, but so is creating healthier home interiors. The EPA says our indoor air can be five times more polluted than the air outdoors. That creates an imperative for designers to choose materials that do not off-gas into a room, (that is releasing chemical gases that can be unsafe and unhealthy for occupants.)

Palm Beach area designer Denise Jadd welcomes this trend. “By embracing this approach, we are prioritizing our clients’ health and wellness at home as we navigate through the selections to choose better materials, and address their health concerns as non-toxic materials eliminate harmful chemicals and fumes that can be detrimental to our respiratory system.”

There’s a challenge for professionals and homeowners alike in sorting through the myriad claims that fall into both ‘green-washing’ and ‘well-washing’ claims. “Covid accelerated our industry to produce healthier products, and consumers are buying based on company core product values to the environment,” observes Denver-based kitchen designer Jan Neiges. “The challenge has been in finding one source that can both sanction these products and provide a directory of companies that adhere to that. We have so many labels; we need one that all the sub-labels can fall under, making it easy for professionals to help clients.”

Multi-sensory Design

create multi-sensory experiences in the shower.Image courtesy of ThermaSol at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

This trend is about appealing to multiple senses, rather than just what can be seen. This can include embracing the tactile with textured surfaces, surrounding a space with soothing sounds (and blocking out exterior noises), filling a room with fragrant flowers and, of course, providing beauty.

Kennedy offers these multi-sensory examples that can be achieved with design elements and planning: “Observing the shifting interplay of light and shadows with the sun’s journey, experiencing the gentle breeze through an open window, listening to the soothing melody of trickling water, and embracing the textures of natural woods, living finish metals, and organic fibers that surround us. These components collectively bridge the gap to nature, providing a grounding, calming, and holistic physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.”

“The essence of a home lies not just in its appearance but in how it feels, sounds, and even smells,” observes Dallas-based interior designer Brad Smith. “I consider factors like acoustics – using soft furnishings to reduce noise pollution, and aromatherapy – recommending scents that relax or energize, based on the function of the room. Touch also plays a part – from smooth countertops in kitchens to plush carpets in bedrooms, each texture evokes a different sensation.”

Technical Support

for home chefs of all levels.Image courtesy of Thermador at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Smart home technology is providing numerous opportunities for making our homes safer, healthier and more functional. These can include indoor air quality monitoring, leak detection, automated window coverings for light control , hands-free faucets for reduced germ spread and much more.

“Technology is transforming the way homeowners live today, offering convenience, efficiency, security, and a higher quality of life,” declares San Francisco Bay area designer Sheeja Nair. “A lot of our projects include smart, motorized window treatments that can be completely automated, or operated with a mobile device or a voice assistant.” Her client favorites include lighted smart mirrors, touchless faucets, and motion-sensing lighting.

“We use smart home lighting system setup to mimic natural lighting patterns to regulate circadian rhythms. This lighting technology helps clients improve sleep quality and mood in a noticeable way,” Jensen shares.

Fleischhacker’s older clientele are also embracing technology, she notes. “From newer technology such as ovens that provide recipe suggestions to simple wi-fi enabled thermostats and safety-centric sensor lighting, technology is changing how our clients experience their homes. We can personalize their spaces with everything from refrigerators that help them manage grocery lists to hands-free faucets and self-cleaning toilets. We find it is a win-win for clients to feel pampered within their own home while family members are comforted by the safety features afforded by technology.”

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here. 

I’m a Wellness Design Consultant and Mayo Clinic Certified Wellness Coach with 18 years in the building, home design and remodeling sphere.

My third book, Wellness by Design, published in September 2020 by Simon & Schuster, won a prestigious Bruss Book Award in 2021.

In addition to writing, I speak on wellness design topics for regional and national conferences, and consult for design industry firms and analysts.

I’m currently hosting twice-monthly Wellness Wednesday rooms on Clubhouse, the first and third week of the month at 4 PM Eastern/1 PM Pacific. You can check the current schedule here.

You can read more of my writings on my website at jamiegold.net.

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Nordstrom Shoppers Caption: Nordstrom is closing both of its downtown San Francisco stores, citing the area’s changed “dynamics,” which has not recovered since the pandemic and is in the crime spotlight. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Image)

By Jordan Valinsky | CNN

Nordstrom is closing both stores in downtown San Francisco, citing the changed “dynamics” of the area, which has not recovered since the pandemic and has been in the crime spotlight.

The two locations are a 312,000-square-foot, five-story Nordstrom department store in the Westfield Shopping Center and a Rack discount store across the street on Market Street. Both locations will close in the summer, with the upscale department store chain telling employees in a memo that it is phasing out the stores’ leases.

RELATED: What’s Really Up With San Francisco’s Crime?

“Decisions like these are never easy, and this one was particularly difficult,” Jamie Nordstrom, Nordstrom’s chief stores officer, wrote in a memo obtained by CNN. “But as many of you are aware, the dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past few years, impacting the flow of customers into our stores and our ability to operate successfully.”

A spokesman for the mall told CNN affiliate KGO-TV that Nordstrom’s closure “underscores the deteriorating situation in downtown San Francisco.”

“A growing number of retailers and businesses are fleeing the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers and employees, and the fact that these significant issues are preventing the area from recovering economically,” the mall said.

Nordstrom’s exit dealt another blow to San Francisco, as several well-known chains in the city have closed. A few weeks ago, a Whole Foods location that opened just a year ago announced it was temporarily closing for safety reasons. San Francisco Standard, an independent news website, has tracked 20 major store closures since 2020, including Anthropologie, Office Depot and CB2.

Incidents of theft in San Francisco have drawn national attention, despite a general decline in crime over the past six years.

Property crimes in San Francisco have garnered national attention through several attention-grabbing videos of thieves in action. Though still well below 2017 levels, the city saw a 23% increase in property crime between 2020 and 2022, with an increase in burglaries and theft leading the way, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Meanwhile, violent crime statistics in San Francisco have remained relatively stable in recent years. Preliminary police data reports 12 homicides in San Francisco this year, up 20% from the same period last year. Overall, there were 56 homicides in San Francisco in 2022, which is the same number of homicides the city recorded in 2021.

In addition to crime, there are several other reasons that may have contributed to the closure of Nordstrom’s locations. First, post-pandemic remote work has led to a drop in foot traffic in major U.S. downtown areas, including San Francisco. Malls are also gaining popularity among shoppers as they increasingly shift their engagement online.

Nordstrom, too, has been struggling with its own problems and recently announced the closure of its Canadian stores. The company is also focusing its efforts on the discount rack unit and recently unveiled a rebrand to attract new buyers.

The CNN Wire & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery company. All rights reserved.

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Another Ross Dress for Less may open in downtown San Francisco, just a block from one of its existing stores at 799 Market St., the San Francisco Business Times first reported.

The new department store would occupy the 40,000-square-foot space at 901 Market Street where Saks Off 5th and Nordstrom Rack are currently located. Permit details SFGATE received from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection show plans are underway for an “interior remodel” of the lower and ground floors of an “existing Ross store,” including the installation of merchandise shelving, Cash desks and equipment rooms.

However, it remains unclear if the Dublin-headquartered discount clothing retailer plans to move from its current Market Street location to this one, or if it plans to open a new store, replacing Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th. The latter isn’t entirely out of the question: As the Business Times pointed out, Jamestown Properties CEO Michael Phillips said the 55,000-square-foot store at 799 Market St. is “one of the top five producers in the entire Ross chain.” and often customers queue outside to enter. (Jamestown sold the property in 2016.) SFGATE attempted to contact Ross representatives but received no response at the time of publication.

However, a spokesman for Saks Off 5th confirmed that the Market Street location will close permanently later this fall, and on Tuesday Nordstrom announced that the leases for its Nordstrom Rack store on Market Street and also for its giant Nordstrom -Store in non-renewable Westfield San Francisco Center.

Ross has one of his longstanding businesses at 5200 Geary Blvd. closed. in January, leaving only three other locations in San Francisco, including the one on Market Street, one on Sloat Boulevard, and one on 16th Street. However, the company announced in a press release in March that it had opened 11 new Ross stores and eight dd’s Discounts stores in the US during February and March — part of the company’s plan to “further develop” its footprint to 2,900 locations. and present around 100 new locations this year.

As of March, Ross Dress for Less had 2,034 stores operating.

This breaking news has been updated.

The post A significant retailer could possibly be increasing its presence in San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

new York
CNN
—

Nordstrom is closing both stores in downtown San Francisco, citing the changed “dynamics” of the area, which has not recovered since the pandemic and has been in the crime spotlight.

The two locations are a 312,000-square-foot, five-story Nordstrom department store at Westfield Mall and a Rack discount store across the street on Market Street. Both locations will close over the summer, with the upscale department store chain telling employees in a memo that they will rent The leases of the shops are expiring.

“Decisions like these are never easy, and this one was particularly difficult,” Jamie Nordstrom, Nordstrom’s chief stores officer, wrote in a memo obtained by CNN. “But as many of you are aware, the dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past few years, impacting the flow of customers into our stores and our ability to operate successfully.”

A spokesman for the mall told CNN affiliate KGO-TV that Nordstrom’s closure “underscores the deteriorating situation in downtown San Francisco.”

“A growing number of retailers and businesses are fleeing the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers and employees, and the fact that these significant issues are preventing the area from recovering economically,” the mall said.

Nordstrom’s exit dealt another blow to San Francisco, as several well-known chains in the city have closed. A few weeks ago, a Whole Foods location that opened just a year ago announced it was temporarily closing for safety reasons. San Francisco Standard, an independent news website, has tracked 20 major store closures since 2020, including Anthropologie, Office Depot and CB2.

Incidents of theft in San Francisco have drawn national attention, despite a general decline in crime over the past six years.

Property crimes in San Francisco have garnered national attention through several attention-grabbing videos of thieves in action. Though still well below 2017 levels, the city saw a 23% increase in property crime between 2020 and 2022, with an increase in burglaries and theft leading the way, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Meanwhile, violent crime statistics in San Francisco have remained relatively stable in recent years. Preliminary police data reports 12 homicides in San Francisco this year, a 20% increase from the same period last year. Overall, there were 56 homicides in San Francisco in 2022, which is the same number of homicides the city recorded in 2021.

In addition to crime, there are several other reasons that may have contributed to the closure of Nordstrom’s locations. First, post-pandemic remote work has led to a drop in foot traffic in major U.S. downtown areas, including San Francisco. Malls are also gaining popularity among shoppers as they increasingly shift their engagement online.

Nordstrom (JWN) has also struggled with its own difficulties and recently announced the closure of its Canadian stores. The company is also focusing its efforts on the discount rack unit and recently unveiled a rebrand to attract new buyers.

The post Nordstrom is the newest retailer to depart San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

PHOENIX, April 5, 2021 / PRNewswire / – PetSmart is pleased to open a new store in. to announce San Francisco, California. located at 2675 Geary Blvd, Suite 150. To celebrate, PetSmart is holding a grand opening event throughout the day Saturday April 10th, where pet parents stop by the store and receive a free, pre-packaged goodie bag of items like a pet bandana, pet toys, and t-shirts while supplies last. *

The new store has an area of ​​22,034 square meters and offers pet parents a comprehensive range of pet products. The store also offers useful services such as pet training, adoption services, Doggie Day Camp, PetsHotel, as well as a self-service dog wash station and full-service grooming salon that houses dogs and cats by academically trained, safety-certified stylists who are committed to keeping pets well look and feel good. **

As a recognized, indispensable retailer, PetSmart is committed to the health and safety of pet owners, their pets and employees, and has implemented social distancing measures in stores and face covers are required. To accommodate pet parents who prefer to shop from home, PetSmart is also offering a contactless roadside pick-up service at this new location, so customers can buy and pick up selected items online without leaving their vehicle.

* All opening giveaways are available while stocks last.
** Services are subject to availability. See shop for details.

About PetSmart
PetSmart LLC is the largest pet retailer providing services and solutions for the lifelong needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets and believe that pets make us better people. Every day, with every connection, the passionate people at PetSmart help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilling lives together. This vision influences everything we do for our customers, how we support our employees and how we give back to our communities.

PetSmart operates approximately 1,650 pet stores in The United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-house PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding houses. The retailer offers a wide range of competitively priced pet foods and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet care, boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and animal adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® from Canada work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best possible chance of finding a forever home.

Through this in-store adoption program and other major events, PetSmart has made more than 9 million adoptions possible, more than any other inpatient organization.

Contact:

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

SOURCE PetSmart

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Pets and pet parents invited to the opening on April 10th

PHOENIX, April 5, 2021 / PRNewswire / – PetSmart is pleased to announce the opening of a new store in San Francisco, California The hotel is located at 2675 Geary Blvd, Suite 150. To celebrate, PetSmart is holding a grand opening event throughout the day Saturday April 10thThis is where pet parents can stop by the store and receive a free, pre-packaged goodie bag filled with items such as a pet headscarf, pet toys, and t-shirts while supplies last. * *

PetSmart (PRNewsfoto / PetSmart)

The new store has an area of ​​22,034 square meters and offers pet parents a full range of pet products. The store also offers useful services such as pet training, adoption services, Doggie Day Camp, PetsHotel, as well as a self-service dog wash station and full-service grooming salon where dogs and cats receive hands-on care from academically trained staff. Safety-certified stylists who are committed to making pets look and feel great. **

As a recognized indispensable retailer, PetSmart is committed to the health and safety of pet parents, their pets and employees and has implemented social distancing measures in stores and face coverings are required. For pet parents who prefer to shop from home, PetSmart also offers a contactless roadside pick-up service at this new location, so customers can buy and pick up selected items online without leaving their vehicle.

* All opening giveaways are available while supplies last.
** Services are subject to availability. Please refer to the store for details.

About PetSmart
PetSmart LLC is the largest retailer of pet living services and solutions. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day, with every connection, the passionate people at PetSmart help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they can live more fulfilling lives together. This vision affects everything we do for our customers, the way we support our employees and the way we give back to our communities.

The story goes on

PetSmart operates approximately 1,650 pet stores in The United States, Canada and Puerto Ricoplus 200+ PetSmart PetsHotel® dog and cat facilities in store. The retailer offers a wide range of pet food and products at competitive prices, as well as services such as dog training, pet care, animal boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and animal adoption.

PetSmart, PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® from Canada Work with nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best possible chance of finding a home forever.

Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 9 million adoptions, more than any other inpatient organization.

Contact:

PetSmart Media Line:
623-587-2177

decision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petsmart-brings-largest-pet-retailer-to-san-francisco-calif-with-new-store-opening-301261296 .html

SOURCE PetSmart

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