Nordstrom Marketplace categories: where Nordstrom is growing

Part of the Nordstrom Marketplace guide.

Last reviewed: October 8, 2026 · Based on Nordstrom's public information.

What categories does Nordstrom Marketplace focus on?

Nordstrom Marketplace categories follow a deepen-what-exists strategy. Nordstrom has said it wants more breadth, depth, and newness in the categories customers already come to it for, and it applies a quality and relevance bar similar to how it thinks about wholesale.

When Nordstrom launched the marketplace in April 2024, it named gifting, home, and outdoor as areas of opportunity, along with reaching younger customers and offering more extended sizes.

Nordstrom executives have since pointed to kids, holiday, and new price points as areas the marketplace fills.

Why does Nordstrom use the marketplace for new categories?

At launch, Nordstrom described the marketplace as a way to expand its online selection beyond its traditional wholesale partnerships, with brands owning the inventory.

Nordstrom has used the marketplace to test new categories and brands without taking on inventory. That lets Nordstrom try an assortment before it commits to buying it wholesale.

How does Nordstrom judge fit?

Category names are not an acceptance list. Nordstrom reviews every brand for quality and relevance, the same kind of bar it uses when it thinks about wholesale. Anyone can apply. Nordstrom decides.

How to judge your own fit

These are Acenda's questions, not Nordstrom's criteria.

• Does the assortment add breadth, depth, or newness in a category customers already come to Nordstrom for?
• Can you ship direct in the U.S. with tracking, barcodes, and the catalog data Nordstrom asks for? See Nordstrom Marketplace requirements.
• Is an introduction the right next step, or should you apply yourself? See how to get introduced or nominated.

Sources: Nordstrom's April 2024 marketplace announcement, and trade-press coverage of Nordstrom executives.

Nordstrom Marketplace categories FAQ

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