). In the report, Credit Suisse noted, “Total company comp sales increased 3.9% y/y, helped by Rack comps up 1.7% and Direct sales up 22% y/y, while full-line comps were flat. Accessories, cosmetics and men's apparel were the best performing categories. Sales growth of 8.9% was well below inventory growth of 24.1%. Management noted that while approximately 75% of the inventory increase was planned due to new store and online growth, the remainder was over planned inventory growth at Rack. Inventory per square foot rose 18%, and payables as a % of inventory declined to 75.1% from 80.7%.” Nordstrom closed on Thursday at $73.25.