Nordstrom opening merchandise-free concept

Nordstrom will launch a new retail concept in West Hollywood, CA on Oct. 3, the same day the department store's Westside Pavilion store relocates to Century City. The store features nail beauty services, tailoring and style advice services, dressing rooms and a bar featuring alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The "Nordstrom Local" concept is along the lines of Bonobos' "guideshops," which don’t have inventory for purchase, but allow customers to check out and try on garments and order them online. Salespeople and stylists at the location will also use "Nordstrom Style Boards," a new tool to create digital boards filled with personalized fashion recommendations, like a summer vacation or wedding, that customers can view on their phone and purchase directly through Nordstrom.com. Along with such recommendations, customers can get advice by having a conversation with personal stylists through the app.