A fashion retailer enters the music business

Under a partnership with Barber Entertainment Corp., Nordstrom Inc., No. 40 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide to Retail Web Sites, is getting into the business of selling CDs—online and in selected stores. The offering will include both Nordstrom-exclusive compilations of existing tracks, produced by Barber, and current releases from leading and emerging artists, according to the company.

It will start online and in selected stores in the Northwest and Southern California by being the exclusive seller of the out-of-print Marvin Gaye “Anthology” compilation. The participating stores and the web site also will offer the Nordstrom-exclusive compilation “An Introduction of Jamie Cullen,” including 10 songs from the jazz musician. Nordstrom will roll out its music program in all stores in 2007.

In November, Nordstrom will offer two exclusive holiday compilations in all stores and online, including “A Nordstrom Classic Holiday,” a compilation of holidays favorites, and “A Nordstrom Modern Holiday,” a compilation of 14 contemporary tracks for the season from John Lennon, Liz Phair, and others.

“We want to sell products our customers are interested in,” says Pete Nordstrom, president of merchandising. “Music and fashion are similarly aligned–we’re encouraged by the response we’ve received from the music industry to collaborate on some compelling music. This is a new category for us and we’re excited to give it a try.”