Nordstrom Affiliate Program 2026: Commission Rates, Requirements And How To Join

Quick answer: Yes, Nordstrom runs an affiliate program in 2026 through Rakuten Advertising, which Nordstrom confirms is how it works with bloggers and influencers. It is free to join. Nordstrom does not publish its rate; third-party reviews most often report a base of about 2%, with up to 5% on some terms and higher negotiated rates for strong performers. A 7-day cookie is commonly reported. Nordstrom Rack runs a separate program.

Nordstrom is a premium US department store selling designer and contemporary fashion, shoes, beauty and home goods. Its mix of luxury labels and accessible brands makes it a dependable merchant for style blogs, gift guides and wardrobe content.

This guide covers how the program works, what it pays, how Nordstrom differs from Nordstrom Rack and how to get approved. If you are comparing fashion programs, our roundup of the highest paying affiliate programs puts Nordstrom in context.

What Is The Nordstrom Affiliate Program?

The Nordstrom affiliate program pays publishers a commission when readers click their links and buy on Nordstrom.com. Nordstrom says it typically works with bloggers and influencers through its affiliate program, run through its network partner Rakuten Advertising. Affiliates join Rakuten, apply to Nordstrom there and manage links, reports and payments in Rakuten’s dashboard.

Approved partners get product links, banners, data feeds and regular newsletters about sales events, including Nordstrom’s big seasonal sales such as the Anniversary Sale.

Nordstrom Affiliate Program At A Glance

How Nordstrom Commissions Work

Nordstrom pays a percentage of each qualifying online sale made after a reader clicks your link. Because Nordstrom does not publish its terms, reported rates vary. Long-running reviews describe a base of about 2% across most products, several directories cite up to 5% on Rakuten, and some report that strong publishers negotiate rates as high as 11%. Sub-networks that resell the program usually show much lower net rates. Your actual rate appears in Rakuten after approval.

A few things reduce what you earn:

• Returns: Fashion has high return rates, and returned items are reversed.
• Short cookie: A 7-day window means readers who wait for a sale may not be credited.
• Exclusions: Gift cards do not earn commission.

How Much Do Nordstrom Affiliates Make?

Nordstrom does not share affiliate earnings, so here is the maths.

Say your content drives 120 orders a month with an average value of $180. That is $21,600 in sales. At 2%, you earn $432. At 5%, the same sales pay $1,080. If 25% of items are returned, your approved commission drops by about a quarter.

The takeaway is that Nordstrom works best for publishers with large, loyal fashion audiences, especially around major sale events when order volume spikes.

Nordstrom Vs Nordstrom Rack

• Separate programs: Nordstrom Rack, the off-price chain, has its own affiliate program on Rakuten, so you apply to each.
• Products: Nordstrom sells full-price premium and designer lines. Nordstrom Rack sells discounted stock.
• Audience: Nordstrom suits style and luxury content. Nordstrom Rack suits deal and budget fashion content.

Who Should Join The Nordstrom Affiliate Program?

• Fashion and personal style blogs
• Workwear and capsule wardrobe content
• Beauty and skincare publishers
• Gift guide and holiday shopping sites
• Shoe, handbag and accessories reviewers
• Wedding guest and occasion wear content

How To Join The Nordstrom Affiliate Program

1. Prepare your site. Publish original fashion, beauty or lifestyle content and make sure your site looks polished.
2. Join Rakuten Advertising. Create a publisher account.
3. Apply to Nordstrom. Find Nordstrom in the Rakuten advertiser directory and submit your application.
4. Wait for review. Approval is manual and can be selective.
5. Create links. Use deep links and product feeds to link to specific items.

Tips To Earn More With The Nordstrom Affiliate Program

• Plan around the Anniversary Sale. Nordstrom’s biggest summer event drives huge spikes, so prepare content in advance.
• Link to specific items. Outfit posts and product roundups convert better than homepage links.
• Cover beauty. Beauty purchases tend to be returned less often than clothing.
• Ask about higher rates. Once you have a sales track record, contact the program manager about better terms.
• Add fit notes. Honest sizing advice reduces returns and protects your commission.

Nordstrom Affiliate Program Alternatives

• Farfetch: Luxury fashion marketplace; read our Farfetch affiliate program guide.
• Sephora: For beauty content; see our Sephora affiliate program guide.
• Lululemon: Premium activewear; read our Lululemon affiliate program guide.
• Nike: Sportswear and sneakers; see our Nike affiliate program guide.
• TJ Maxx: Off-price fashion and home; read our TJ Maxx affiliate program guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nordstrom have an affiliate program?

Yes. Nordstrom runs it through Rakuten Advertising.

How much does the Nordstrom affiliate program pay?

Nordstrom does not publish its rate. Third-party sources commonly report about 2% base and up to 5%, with higher negotiated rates for top publishers.

How long is the Nordstrom affiliate cookie?

Commonly reported as 7 days on Rakuten.

Is Nordstrom Rack part of the same program?

No. Nordstrom Rack has its own affiliate program on Rakuten.

Is it hard to get approved?

Third-party reviews describe approval as selective. A polished site with original fashion content and steady traffic helps.

Conclusion

The Nordstrom affiliate program gives fashion publishers access to a trusted premium retailer through Rakuten, with modest reported rates that improve for proven partners. Plan content around major sales, link to specific items and pair it with higher-paying fashion programs.

For more fashion programs, browse our affiliate programs hub.