Nordstrom Brings Home the Bacon at South Coast Plaza Awards Event

Nordstrom stole the show at the 1988 Merchants Awards for South Coast Plaza.

The specialty retailer took six top honors, including outstanding retailer of the year, highest total gross sales among anchor stores at South Coast Plaza, highest sales per square foot among the major stores and greatest increase in dollar sales.

But while Nordstrom has made its reputation on customer service, it was Bullock’s at South Coast--archrival of the Seattle-based Nordstrom chain--that took top honors for best customer service among major stores at the mall.

Privately owned Nordstrom does not release specific sales data for its stores.

The recognition came at the Costa Mesa mall’s annual merchants’ dinner earlier this month.

Other award winners included Nathan Alan Jewelers, which won recognition for highest sales per square foot among all tenants. Honors for highest square-foot sales among restaurants went to Vie de France, and Mrs. Field’s Cookies won for highest sales per square foot among specialty food merchants.

At Crystal Court, the annex to the original mall, A Pea in the Pod, a maternity store, and Jessica McClintock, a women’s dress shop, were co-winners of the outstanding merchant of the year award. Best customer service at Crystal Court went to Bangkok Four, a restaurant, and highest sales per square foot went to Koala Blue, a women’s clothing store.

A total of 27 awards were presented at the ceremony.