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Luxury Institute Survey: Wealthy Consumers Rate Nordstrom, Barneys and Neiman Marcus the Luxury Retailer Brands That Deliver the Best Customer Experience in 2007

Wealthy consumers rated Nordstrom the strong leader in customer experience among leading retailers in the Luxury Customer Experience Index (LCEI) survey for Luxury Retailers from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com). Nordstrom ranked first in every component of the LCEI. Barneys and Neiman Marcus were second and third, respectively.

Here is why wealthy shoppers recommend Nordstrom:

--  "Nordstrom is well known for its customer service.  The clothes are
    well made and returns are allowed with few questions asked.  I've been a
    life-long shopper and plan to continue."
--  "It is a delightful experience to shop at their store, all of the
    employees seem happy to be working there."
--  "LOVE Nordstrom! Great fashions, great customer service. They handle
    returns with such a positive attitude that you don't have to worry about
    'getting ready to tell a whole story about why you are bringing it back' --
    they have great service, always!"
    

"Nordstrom has great products and stores, as do all the leading luxury retailers," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "The difference, as told to us by high net worth consumers, is the enthusiasm, courtesy, trustworthiness and knowledge of its personnel. If you are a luxury brand CEO looking for best practices, our impartial surveys speak directly from the voice of high net worth customers." Brands rated, in alphabetical order, included: Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Brooks Brothers, eLUXURY.com, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The proprietary Luxury Customer Experience Index (LCEI) survey is the only measure of the customer experience of leading brands to wealthy Americans. A national sample of wealthy American consumers, with a minimum household income of $150,000, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute

The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. Publications include the monthly Wealth Report, the Luxury Brand Status Index surveys, the Luxury Best Practices surveys, the Luxury Consumer Experience Index surveys and the Luxury Website Effectiveness Index surveys.