News & Trends: Bergdorf Goodman is the luxury retailer of choice based on the results of a survey conducted by the Luxury Institute. The NY-based luxury market analysts named the store the Best of the Best Luxury Retailer in accordance to the findings of its 2010 Luxury Customer Experience Index Survey. Nordstrom and Barneys finished second and third, respectively.

A nationwide sample of 1,265 wealthy and ultra-wealthy individuals participated. The survey measured respondents’ feelings in three key areas: complete satisfaction, brand personnel, and store environment. The rating system was one to 10, with 10 being the best score. The study also sought respondents’ feelings on stores’ handling problems and resolutions, worthiness or value of price premiums, and respondents’ willingness to recommend stores.

Crunch: The spread from best to third was less than one at 0.32. It was a close race. Luxury Institute is renowned for its studies of the luxury marketplace. Bergdorf Goodman received 8.23 points while Nordstrom and Barneys scored 8.15 and 7.91 points, respectively.