Nordstrom keeps making headlines when it comes to Ivanka Trump. Last week, we reported that Nordstrom dropped Ivanka Trump’s products. While the Seattle-based retailer claimed the choice was “based on the brand’s performance,” more has been uncovered that suggests the reason may have been more nuanced than simple sale numbers.
It was recently uncovered that Nordstrom execs sent a memo to employees regarding Trump’s Muslim Ban just a few days before officially taking Ivanka’s products off their website. The note, dated January 31, was written by Nordstrom’s presidents, Peter, Erik, and Blake Nordstrom.
The brothers told the immigration story of Nordstrom’s founder–their relative–and informed their staff that their “unique qualities brings a richness” to the company, also adding that their diverse employees allow the company to better serve their patrons:
“When John W. Nordstrom came to the U.S. as an immigrant, he was given opportunities that allowed him to find a more prosperous and happy life. In so many ways, our humble beginning and the work ethic and gratitude that goes with it helped shape the culture of our company to this day. Over 116 years we have been fortunate to be able to build on the foundation JWN laid for us, thanks to all of you who have chosen to bring your unique experiences and backgrounds to work here at Nordstrom every day. We currently employ more than 76,000 people who comprise different races, ethnicities and genders. We literally have thousands of employees who are first and second generation immigrants. Every one of your unique qualities brings a richness that allows us to better reflect and serve the multi-cultured communities we’re a part of and ultimately makes us a better company. We are a better place with you here, no doubt about it.
It’s important that we reiterate our values to all of you and make it clear that we support each of our employees. We will continue to value diversity, inclusion, respect, and kindness… you can count on that.”
You can read the full memo here. This is a lesson on the fact that choosing where and how you spend your money is often more important than you realize–and we do have a choice even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
