Events

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: Building for Retail Success with Nordstrom’s Denise Junell Johnson

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

Date

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1:30 PM EST

URL

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RSVP HERE*REQUIRED TO ATTEND​

For founders in fashion, accessories, and jewelry, breaking into premium retail is about more than having a great product design. It’s about understanding how the industry moves, what buyers prioritize, and how to position your brand for long-term success.

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

​We’ll dive into:

  • ​How to approach category leadership in a shifting retail landscape
  • ​What makes a brand stand out to major retailers like Nordstrom
  • ​How to navigate the complexities of wholesale, retail stores, and omnichannel strategies
  • ​What founders should prioritize when entering premium retail markets, from positioning and assortment to partnership readiness
​Denise’s career spans 20+ years at Nordstrom, where she’s led across the Designer, Accessories, and Women’s Shoes divisions, driving strategy and merchandising for iconic global brands. Her perspective offers an invaluable look at how emerging brands can collaborate effectively with retail partners and grow strategically in a changing consumer environment.

​This conversation is a must-attend for fashion, accessories, jewelry, and handbag founders, and anyone looking to understand what it really takes to succeed in today’s retail ecosystem.

​MORE ABOUT DENISE:
​Denise Junell Johnson is the Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom. Denise's journey with Nordstrom began in 2004 in the Bellevue Store. She progressed through roles such from Designer Handbags Manager to Buyer within Shoe and Designer divisions, leading her to be become Retail Director for Women’s Designer.
​From 2016, Denise made significant impacts in the Accessories Division through various DMM assignments. She also served as VP, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Women's Shoes from September 2022 to March 2024, before returning to lead the Handbags, Jewelry & Watches division. A proud Washington State University (WSU) alumna, Denise serves on the Apparel Merchandising Industry Advisory Board. Denise's dedication to her alma mater and Nordstrom exemplifies her commitment to both personal and professional excellence.

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Dec

9

LinkedIn Live

What It Takes to Build a Standout Consumer Brand with Ariana Ferwerda of Halfdays

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1:30 PM EST

What does it really take to build a breakout consumer brand in a crowded category, and do it with intention, community, and high repeat purchase rates? For Ariana Ferwerda, co-founder and CEO of Halfdays, it started with spotting a gap no one else saw. As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast who moved to Colorado only to find women’s technical gear uninspired, unstylish, and lacking performance, Ariana used her background in retail consulting and analytics to build what the industry was missing: performance fashion designed by women, for women, to own the mountain.

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