High-end U.S. retailer Nordstrom is coming to Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver starting in the fall of 2014.

The announcement this morning in Toronto sees Nordstrom join a fast-growing field of foreign chains vying for coveted Canadian consumer dollars.

Officials from the Seattle-based department store chain and Cadillac Fairview say Nordstrom will be moving into a new store in Toronto's Sherway Gardens.

The upscale fashion retailer's foray into Canada marks its first expansion into the international market.

Canadians can currently purchase items directly from Nordstrom's website, with shipping fees that includes the cost of duties at
checkout.

Originally founded as a shoe store in 1901, Nordstrom operates 231 stores in the United States.

In March, Sears Canada announced it would sell back leases for three of its stores to Cadillac Fairview, its landlord, for about
$170 million.

The official announcement of Nordstrom's arrival in Canada follows a consistently steady stream of U.S. and international
chains that have been flocking to the country in recent years.

British fashion brand Ted Baker London and U.S.-based Kate Spade New York will make their entry into the Canadian marketplace this fall with stand alone stores at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Womenswear brands Ann Taylor and Loft, which are both under the umbrella of New York-based parent company, Ann Inc., will also be launching at Yorkdale, marking their first forays into Canada. Ann Taylor is also set to open a location at Eaton Centre in Toronto.

Anthropologie, Express, Free People, Intermix, J. Crew, Marshalls, Topshop, Topman and Tory Burch are among a host of other high-profile U.S. and international brands that have established storefronts in Canada.

U.S. discount giant Target Corp. is slated to set up shop north of the border in 2013. Starting next year, the Minneapolis-based retailer plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada.

In addition to full-line stores, Nordstrom also operates Nordstrom Rack, an off-price division offering shoes, clothing and
accessories of brands sold in Nordstrom stores with most at savings of 30 to 70 per cent off.