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Nordstrom operates 356 stores including 121 full line stores in the United States Canada and Puerto Rico and 221 Nordstrom Rack stores In 2017 the total company net sales increased 3 5 percent and comparable sales increased 1 7 percent compared with the same quarter last year Nordstrom continued its progress in executing its customer strategy while maintaining discipline around inventory and expenses As a result of the Company's ongoing efforts to provide newness and limited distribution product to customers Nordstrom proprietary labels represented three of the top five selling brands during the Anniversary Sale In executing its digital strategy the Company delivered online sales growth of 20 percent at Nordstrom com reflecting its largest volume day in company history and 27 percent at Nordstromrack com HauteLook The Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program continues to play an important role in reaching new customers and strengthening existing customer relationships The Company has 9 4 million active Rewards customers in the U S and Canada up approximately 50 percent from 6 2 million a year ago Sales from Nordstrom Rewards customers represented 56 percent of second quarter sales compared with 48 percent a year ago SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY Second quarter net earnings were 110 million and earnings before interest and taxes EBIT were 217 million or 5 8 percent of net sales compared with net earnings of 117 million and EBIT of 221 million or 6 1 percent of net sales during the same period in fiscal 2016 o Retail EBIT decreased 27 million compared with the same quarter last year primarily reflecting planned technology occupancy and supply chain expenses supporting the
