No, Nordstrom Rack is not a traditional fast fashion brand because it doesn't design or manufacture its own clothing. Instead, it functions as an off-price retailer for other brands, operating with a business model that shares many problematic traits with fast fashion, such as rapid inventory turnover and a focus on trend-driven, low-priced goods.
The company lacks transparency in its supply chain and relies heavily on brands with questionable labor practices. While its parent company, Nordstrom Inc., has set some sustainability goals, these efforts are insufficient to offset the environmental impact of its high-volume, discount-driven model. Here's what you need to know about Nordstrom Rack's practices.
Nordstrom Rack's business model is centered on selling off-season, overstock, or specifically manufactured-for-outlet merchandise from hundreds of different brands. This creates an environment with many of the hallmarks of fast fashion.
Nordstrom Rack's ethical performance is poor because it is directly tied to the often-opaque and problematic supply chains of the hundreds of brands it sells, with little to no accountability for a company-wide ethical standard.
Nordstrom Rack does not directly employ manufacturing workers. Instead, it sources from brands that manufacture in regions plagued by labor rights challenges, like Southeast Asia. Reports from organizations like the Clean Clothes Campaign indicate that factories producing for brands sold at the Rack commonly engage in practices like paying below a living wage (e.g., a worker in Bangladesh earning ~$180/month when a living wage is ~$350/month), excessive hours, and unsafe conditions.
Transparency is a significant area of weakness. Nordstrom's public supplier list is sparse, and the company does not publish detailed audits for the vast supply chain it benefits from. While its parent company engages with third-party auditors like Sedex, the findings are not made public, leaving customers in the dark about the conditions in which their clothes are made.
Products containing leather, wool, and down are widely available at Nordstrom Rack. The company lacks a comprehensive, store-wide animal welfare policy, meaning the sourcing standards are left up to the individual brands. While some products might use certified materials like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), many do not, and there is no overarching commitment to prevent sourcing from regions with poor animal welfare standards.
Nordstrom Rack’s sustainability efforts are minimal and overshadowed by a business model that promotes overconsumption and contributes significantly to textile waste and pollution.
The vast majority of merchandise at Nordstrom Rack is made from conventional, environmentally damaging materials like polyester and non-organic cotton. While some individual items may contain a small percentage of sustainable materials, like recycled polyester (often 20-30% in select products) or organic cotton (less than 10% in some cases), these are the exception, not the rule.
The carbon footprint of Nordstrom Rack is enormous, driven by the manufacturing processes and global transportation required for its products. Its parent company has committed to reducing some emissions from its direct operations but has not published comprehensive data on its Scope 3 emissions, which come from its value chain and represent the bulk of its environmental impact.
Nordstrom Rack has a "Clean Out Your Closet" initiative and a partnership with ThredUp, but these programs are minor compared to the sheer volume of new products it pushes. There is no robust take-back or recycling program for unsold inventory, a significant issue for any high-volume retailer. Furthermore, many items are not made for durability, encouraging a "wear-and-toss" cycle.
Nordstrom Inc. has set goals like sourcing 50% sustainable materials in some categories by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality in its own operations. However, progress has been slow, and these commitments do not adequately address the core environmental problem: a business model built on selling massive quantities of disposable goods.
While Nordstrom Rack isn't a fast fashion producer, it profits from and perpetuates the same harmful system of overconsumption, opaque supply chains, and environmental degradation. Its initiatives in sustainability and ethics are minor fixes that fail to address the fundamental problems of its business model.
Nordstrom Rack earns a D for its lack of accountability in its supply chain. Its model relies on the labor of garment workers who are often underpaid and work in poor conditions, yet the company takes very little direct responsibility. The profound lack of transparency and absence of enforceable commitments to living wages or strong animal welfare standards make it impossible to give a higher grade.
The company receives a C- for sustainability. While its parent company has set some public goals and small-scale recycling initiatives exist, these efforts feel inadequate. The business model's foundation on high volume and disposability, coupled with a heavy reliance on environmentally damaging materials, undermines any positive steps taken.
If you're looking for trend-conscious styles or quality basics but want to support brands with better ethical and environmental standards, consider these alternatives:
Known for trendy and feminine dresses and apparel, Reformation is a climate-neutral certified company that uses a high percentage of sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. It provides transparency reports on its environmental impact and factory conditions.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane focuses on high-quality, minimalist wardrobe staples and transparent pricing. The company discloses information about its factories, which are audited for fair wages and safe conditions, and has expanded its use of recycled and organic materials.
Shop now at everlane.com
Famous for its affordable organic cotton basics, loungewear, and activewear, Pact is Fair Trade Certified, guaranteeing safe conditions and fair wages for its workers. Its focus on organic materials reduces water consumption and eliminates harmful pesticides.
Shop now at wearpact.com
A B Corp that offers casual-cool apparel, Tentree plants ten trees for every item purchased. It uses a high percentage of sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton and maintains a transparent and ethical supply chain.
Shop now at tentree.com
Kotn creates timeless basics from authentic Egyptian cotton with a fully traceable supply chain. As a B Corp, it works directly with family-run farms in Egypt, ensuring fair labor practices and investing in local communities through education.
Shop now at kotn.com
A leader in ethical outdoor wear, Patagonia is a B Corp known for its commitment to environmental activism and labor rights. It uses a high ratio of recycled materials, is Fair Trade Certified, and offers robust repair and take-back programs to promote longevity.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Often, yes. Many brands produce "made-for-outlet" lines specifically for stores like Nordstrom Rack. These items may look similar to retail versions but are typically constructed with lower-quality materials and simpler techniques to meet a lower price point, meaning they often lack durability.
Not entirely. While Nordstrom Rack does sell some clearance items and overstock from full-line Nordstrom stores, a considerable portion of its inventory is purchased directly from brands or consists of those "made-for-outlet" items.
Their business models are very similar, focused on overstock and made-for-outlet goods. The primary difference is that Nordstrom Rack is a direct offshoot of a premium department store, which gives it unique access to certain high-end brands that may not appear as frequently at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
While Nordstrom's full-line stores offer higher-quality, more durable products, which is inherently more sustainable, both retailers operate under the same parent company policies. The fundamental issues of poor supply chain transparency and a lack of enforceable ethical standards for the brands they stock apply to both stores.
