why did nordstrom close in san francisco

Nordstrom closed its flagship San Francisco store after 35 years primarily due to the dramatic changes in the downtown market dynamics over recent years. Declining customer foot traffic, rising crime, safety concerns for customers and employees, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed significantly to the decision. The store's sales and occupancy in the Westfield San Francisco Centre mall had dropped sharply, reflecting the broader retail exodus from the area. Local shoppers lamented the closure as a sad loss to the city’s retail landscape, which has witnessed many major retailers leaving due to these ongoing challenges, including increased retail crime and reduced office worker presence downtown.