Nordstrom reported its first quarter net income fell a greater-than-expected 3%, hurt by weak demand for spring merchandise and softer performance in the Northeast and Midwest. The company also lowered its full-year sales forecast.

Amazon lead the pack in the retail field on Fortune’s “Most Admired Companies” list. The e-commerce juggernaut was third ranked overall (behind Apple and Google) for, among other reasons, its efficient customer service and leadership under CEO Jeff Bezos.

Nordstrom Inc. on Thursday reported that its fourth-quarter profit rose 20% to $284 million, compared to $236 million a year earlier.

Wegman’s, Whole Foods, Nordstrom and Men’s Wearhouse were among the 14 retailers included on the 2013 edition of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work for.

In what turned out to be one of the stranger holiday seasons in recent memory retailers fought through a range of unconventional headwinds to deliver an uneven performance.

Nordstrom plans to open another new Rack store this spring in Maine as the number of off price locations now exceeds the company’s full price stores.

Anxiety over Amazon.com is at an all time high this holiday season and a top executive at Nordstrom shared insights recently on competing successfully.

Nordstrom is relocating its full-line store located at South Bay Galleria three miles south to a two-level, 138,000-sq.-ft. location at the Del Amo Fashion Center that will open in 2015.

Office Depot, Apple, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Limited Brands, Nordstrom, Sears, Staples and Target were among a record 252 businesses on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index.

As the holidays approach and retailers are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, October same-store sales results showcased consistent strength in the department store category.

Nordstrom is partnering with Cadillac Fairview to open its first full-line stores in Canada beginning fall of 2014.

Nordstrom announced it has begun selling the trendy British fashion brand Topshop and Topman at 14 select Nordstrom stores across the country and on its website. Merchandise deliveries will be made on a weekly basis, with an expanded collection available online.