Nordstrom Rack Is Opening 20+ New Stores Across 12 States (Is Yours One?)

Retail may be having a rough go of it in some sectors, but Nordstrom Rack is apparently finding room to grow. Its parent company, Nordstrom, is expanding the off-price chain as many of us look for ways to snag brands like Coach and Prada without paying full price.

That approach may be what's helping Nordstrom Rack withstand economic downturns, even as we get pickier about where our money goes. Now, new stores are giving shopping fans even more places to peruse and save.

How many Nordstrom Rack stores are opening in 2026?

Nordstrom is in the process of opening a total of 25 new outlets in 15 states in 2026. That's about double what reports expected for the year back in January.

The first locations turned on the lights in the spring, with more recent openings clustered toward the latter part of October. Even more Nordstrom Rack stores are slated for grand openings in 2027 and 2028.

Nordstrom Rack versus Saks Off 5th

The expansion of Nordstrom Rack stands out in the current retail landscape, but especially in contrast to what Saks Global has been doing: closing most of its Saks Off 5th stores, utilizing arguably the complete opposite strategy.

If you find the move puzzling, you're not alone, as retail experts don't think it makes sense, either. Brands like Nordstrom Rack may be perfectly poised to reap the benefits, too.

Why off-price keeps winning

Off-price retailers like Nordstrom Rack are thriving as folks trade down without giving up fancier brands. They also benefit from a steady flow of extra inventory and returned orders in the fast fashion age, which brands need to offload.

Ross Stores Inc. provides a nice example: It raised its 2026 profit forecast after strong sales, fueled by demand for discounted clothing and flexible return policies. How else could you keep up with Amazon?

Stores have to do more

Nordstrom Rack also serves as a pickup and return point for online orders from Nordstrom proper, linking the two store formats. That gives Nordstrom more ways to handle online orders and returns (via its existing locations), rather than relying entirely on shipping from warehouses.

In a retail landscape where stores sink or swim, that shared infrastructure provides a serious advantage.

Size matters

Nordstrom Rack's newer stores might look different from the old-school shops you remember from enclosed malls. Many are in open-air shopping centers, where you could park nearby and pop in alongside errands at other stores.

At roughly 24,000 to 35,000 square feet each, they're also much smaller than the sprawling department stores of yore. That format distances Nordstrom Rack from the antiquated mall-anchor model.

New Jersey is getting the most

New Jersey is getting the biggest slice of the Nordstrom Rack's 2026 expansion pie, with four stores total opening across the state this fall. Ramsey and Marlton welcomed theirs on October 8, followed by East Brunswick and Deptford on October 29.

The new shops expand Nordstrom Rack's reach across North and South Jersey, drawing folks from Greater NYC or the Philadelphia suburbs.

New England and Mid-Atlantic

Three openings brought Nordstrom Rack to busy shopping areas on October 29. Mansfield's Massachusetts store is at Mansfield Crossing, just off I-495 and a short drive from I-95.

Rockville's location sits on Rockville Pike in Maryland, while the Media, Pennsylvania outlet aims to serve the Philadelphia suburbs. The Media location joins another Nordstrom Rack that opened in Exton in August.

Midwest expansion

The Midwest welcomed four Nordstrom Rack outlets in October, with Bloomingdale, Illinois, opening first on October 22, followed by Canton, Michigan; Akron, Ohio; and Columbia, Missouri, on October 29.

The stores manifest Nordstrom Rack's destiny across four states, from Chicago's western suburbs to college-town Columbia, where the University of Missouri flavors the area. That's a broad mix of markets for one month of openings.

Warming up the Sunbelt and South

Williamsburg, Virginia, and Tampa turned the lights on at Nordstrom Rack on October 22, followed by Atlanta and McAllen, Texas on October 29.

The locations tap into a mix of tourist traffic and growing regional markets. Florida is getting extra attention, too: two other outlets opened in September, warming up Orlando and Pompano Beach before the other October outlets fired up the coals.

Mountain and Pacific Northwest

Three Nordstrom Racks rolled out across the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest. Spokane, Washington opened first on October 15, followed by Park City on October 22 and Lakewood, Colorado on October 29.

The locations landed in quite different settings, from a Utah destination known for skiing and shopping to the Denver suburbs and eastern Washington's biggest city. It shows that the appeal of Nordstrom Rack spans demographics.

Bottom line

Nordstrom Rack's expansion shows that off-price retail has ample room to grow, even as old-school department stores pull back. Wondering if one is opening in your neck of the woods? Check Nordstrom Rack's store locator and keep an eye on local news for announcements.

Exact opening dates are often published closer to launch, so stay aware if you're eager to be there on opening day. Astute timing and a good eye for deals could help you keep more cash in your wallet.

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