Nordstrom has launched a series of campaigns for Black History Month. To highlight its diverse community of staff and consumers, the retailer is engaging with communities and highlighting Black-owned brands, Black food culture and stories among its Black employees. Nordstrom is also increasing monetary contributions to organizations that promote anti-racism.
The campaign builds on Nordstrom’s previously announced commitments to the Black community, which include a series of diversity and inclusion targets to hit by 2025 such as increasing Black and Latinx representation in people-manager roles by at least 50%, having at least 50% of interns and early-career employees come from underrepresented populations, and introducing anti-racism and anti-bias training for those in customer-facing roles.
On the marketplace front, Nordstrom has already committed to selling more than US$500mn worth of product operated by, or designed by Black and Latinx people. In July, Nordstrom signed the 15% Pledge to commit to offering at least 15% of its shelf-space for Black-owned businesses. Nordstrom said it would grow its total purchases from Black-owned or Black-founded brands by 10times by the end of 2030. Throughout February, Nordstrom will share stories behind several Black owned brands such as Harlem Candle Co, Vitae London and King+Lola. Nordstrom has also partnered with Black-owned and founded production agency Invisible Collective to launch a video series highlighting employees’ unique experiences within the Black community. In its in-store restaurants and coffee shops, Nordstrom will feature recipes and treats that celebrate Black food culture. Nordstrom also announced that it will increase its charitable donations to $1mn per year over the next five years to organizations that promote anti-racism, such as civil rights and advocacy organization the National Urban League.