Nordstrom Brings Santa Visits Virtual
Retail Dive | November 17, 2020
Given that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many holiday gatherings, Nordstrom leads retail reimagining holiday activities this year.
Consumers in the U.S. and Canada can schedule a 15-minute video call with Santa for $20, with the proceeds benefiting Operation Warm and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Canada. Shoppers can also email letters to Santa or write letters to be delivered in-store or via curbside pickup at Nordstrom stores, with replies promised.
The department store is also holding holiday breakfasts with COVID-19 precautions at select stores throughout December, at a cost of $25 per adult and $15 per kid, with festive decor, music and children's activities. Online at Nordstrom's Festive Experiences website, customers can print out activity sheets, send letters to Santa or use a virtual photo booth to create holiday portraits.
The announcement is in addition to other initiatives the retailer has rolled out to bring in holiday cheer from afar. In October, the retailer released a holiday gift guide highlighting gift wrapping and styling services for customers, including some virtual offerings. The company also teamed up with Balsam Hill that month to roll out in-store Christmas tree lots for holiday customers at 21 locations. The pandemic continues to shift consumers looking to retailers for creative alternative solutions to the not-so-traditional year.