Macy's vs. Nordstrom: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Macy's is a classic department store offering a wide range of products at accessible prices, making it a go-to for budget-conscious families who love frequent sales. In contrast, Nordstrom focuses on a curated selection of luxury and contemporary brands, prioritizing high-quality materials and exceptional customer service for a more premium shopping experience.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right department store for your needs.

Macy's: The Accessible Department Store for Every Budget

Macy's is one of America's most recognizable department stores, known for its extensive selection that covers everything from fashion and accessories to home goods and furniture. The store caters to a broad audience looking for mid-range, affordable options and is famous for its promotional events, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and frequent "One Day Sale" events, which offer significant discounts.

• Product mix: A vast selection of clothing, shoes, beauty products, jewelry, and home essentials. Macy's carries a mix of private labels like INC International Concepts and Alfani alongside national brands.
• Price point: Geared toward affordability and value. Dresses typically range from $50 to $150, and you can almost always find a sale or coupon to lower the final price.
• Quality: The quality varies across brands. You can find solid, durable basics from their private labels, but some of the more trend-focused items may be made with less expensive materials.
• Style & Aesthetic: Macy's offers a diverse and mainstream style that appeals to a wide demographic, featuring everything from classic workwear to casual weekend outfits and trendy seasonal pieces.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can be inconsistent as it varies by brand. It's generally true to standard American sizing, but it's always worth checking a specific brand's size chart.
• Sales: A core part of the Macy's experience. They constantly run promotions, clearance events, and offer stackable coupons, making it a hotspot for bargain hunters.
• Shopping Experience: Macy's stores are large and built for high-volume, convenient shopping. Their online platform is user-friendly and supports in-store pickup.

Macy's is the ideal destination for anyone looking for affordability, a massive selection, and the thrill of finding a great deal under one roof.

Shop Macy's: macys.com

Nordstrom: The Premier Destination for Luxury & Service

Nordstrom is a premium retailer that has built its M.O. on exceptional customer service, a high-quality product assortment, and a curated shopping experience. It appeals to a style-conscious shopper who wants access to both established designer labels and emerging contemporary brands. Known for its generous return policy and helpful staff, Nordstrom creates a more personal and luxurious atmosphere compared to other department stores.

• Product mix: A curated collection of designer and contemporary apparel, shoes, handbags, and beauty products. They carry high-end brands like Gucci and Prada alongside popular brands like Nike and Free People.
• Price point: Positioned at a higher price tier. Expect to find dresses starting at $100 and shoes often ranging from $80 to $300 and beyond.
• Quality: Nordstrom places a strong emphasis on quality, selecting items made from premium materials that are built to last. They reinforce this with services like free basic alterations.
• Style & Aesthetic: The style is sophisticated, modern, and fashion-forward. The selection feels carefully chosen to appeal to shoppers who follow trends but also invest in timeless pieces.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers more consistent sizing, especially within its in-house brands and designer labels. The availability of free alterations is a major benefit for achieving a perfect fit.
• Rewards program: The Nordy Club allows members to earn points on purchases which can be redeemed for "Nordstrom Notes" (store credit), plus offers benefits like early access to sales and free alterations.
• Shopping Experience: This is where Nordstrom truly shines. Stores are clean and well-organized, with amenities like personal stylists, cafes, and a legendary customer-first service approach.

Nordstrom is the clear choice for shoppers who prioritize quality, curated style, and a superior customer service experience and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Shop Nordstrom: nordstrom.com

Macy's vs. Nordstrom Comparison

Price Comparison

The most immediate difference between the two retailers is price. Macy's is a mid-tier store focused on value. Its business model thrives on promotions, coupons, and clearance events, ensuring shoppers rarely have to pay full price. A typical shopping trip for wardrobe basics or home goods will be significantly more affordable at Macy's.

Nordstrom operates in a premium to luxury space. While they have their famous Anniversary and Half-Yearly sales, their everyday prices reflect the higher quality and designer names they carry. You're paying for craftsmanship, brand prestige, and the overall shopping experience. However, Nordstrom does offer price matching, which can add value if you find an identical item for less elsewhere.

Quality & Materials

Nordstrom generally offers superior quality. Their buyers focus on sourcing products from brands known for fine materials and excellent construction. The store's commitment to quality is further proven by its free basic alterations service, designed to ensure your investment pieces fit perfectly.

At Macy's, quality is more of a spectrum. You can find well-made items from their private-label brands that offer great durability for the price. However, they also carry more fast-fashion-oriented brands where the materials and construction may be designed for a shorter lifespan. It requires a bit more discernment from the shopper to find long-lasting pieces.

Style & Aesthetic

Macy's presents a classic, mainstream American style. It’s an excellent place to find reliable basics, family outfits, and accessible trends. Their selection is intentionally broad to appeal to a wide variety of tastes, ages, and needs, from a teen's prom dress to professional workwear.

Nordstrom, on the other hand, offers a more curated, fashion-forward aesthetic. It's where you go to discover new designers or find the latest handbag from a luxury brand. The overall style is more polished and sophisticated, catering to a consumer who is actively interested in fashion trends and building a stylish wardrobe.

Fit & Sizing

Due to its vast number of brands, sizing at Macy's can be inconsistent. A size 8 in one brand might fit differently than a size 8 in another, making online shopping a bit of a gamble without trying things on first. Their sizing generally adheres to standard department store norms.

Nordstrom tends to have more reliable and consistent sizing, especially with its higher-end brands and in-house labels. Their detailed online fit guides and the invaluable free alterations service make it much easier to walk away with something that looks and feels custom-tailored.

Shopping Experience

The in-store experience at each is vastly different. Macy's is a traditional department store - big, bustling, and often focused on self-service. It's designed for efficiency and getting a lot of shopping done at once. While staff are available, the experience isn't centered on personalized attention.

Nordstrom's model is built on service. Associates are known for being exceptionally helpful, personal stylists are readily available, and the stores are designed to feel more like spacious, comfortable boutiques. This customer-centric approach extends to their famously liberal return policy and seamless online-offline integration.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice really comes down to your priorities, budget, and what you're shopping for.

Choose Macy's if:

• You're on a budget and love the satisfaction of using a great coupon.
• You're shopping for your entire family and need a one-stop-shop with a wide variety.
• You need practical items like kitchen appliances or bedding alongside your clothing.
• You prefer a familiar, no-frills shopping experience and enjoy hunting for bargains.

Choose Nordstrom if:

• You are willing to invest in high-quality, long-lasting designer pieces.
• Exceptional customer service and a premium shopping environment are important to you.
• You want a perfectly tailored fit and plan to use free alteration services.
• You enjoy discovering new designers and want a curated selection of modern styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Macy's or Nordstrom cheaper?

Macy's is significantly cheaper than Nordstrom. Its entire business is built around providing affordable mid-range products and constant sales, while Nordstrom focuses on premium and luxury goods at a higher price point.

Which store has better quality?

Nordstrom generally has better quality. Their selection is curated to include brands known for superior materials and craftsmanship. Macy's offers a wider range of quality, including some very affordable items that might not be as durable as the items found at Nordstrom.

Does Macy's or Nordstrom have better sales?

Macy's has more frequent sales. It feels like there is always a promotion, event, or coupon available. Nordstrom's sales are less frequent but highly anticipated (like the Anniversary Sale), and they often feature deep discounts on high-end designer brands that rarely go on sale elsewhere.

Can you get alterations at both stores?

Nordstrom is famous for offering free basic alterations on many full-priced items purchased in-store or online. Macy's typically does not offer a comparable complimentary alterations service, though paid tailoring is available in some locations.

What are their return policies like?

Nordstrom is legendary for its flexible and generous return policy, handling returns on a case-by-case basis without a firm time limit for most items. Macy’s has a more standard return policy, typically allowing returns within a set window (often 30 days) with a receipt.

Which store is better for beauty products?

Both have excellent beauty departments. Macy's carries a huge range of popular brands like MAC and Estee Lauder. Nordstrom often has a more luxurious selection, including niche and high-end brands like La Mer and Charlotte Tilbury, and is known for its well-informed beauty advisors.

Which store's reward program is better?

Both programs are solid. Macy's Star Rewards allows members to earn points on purchases that convert into "Star Money" (store credit) and offers perks like exclusive sales. Nordstrom's Nordy Club also issues store credit "Notes" and provides members with exclusive benefits like early access to sales and a free alterations credit, which can be very valuable.