FILE PHOTO: The Nordstrom store is pictured in Broomfield, Colorado, February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

(This Jan. 15 story corrects to fix Nordstrom’s full-year adjusted profit forecast)

(Reuters) - Nordstrom Inc JWN.N said on Tuesday comparable store sales at its full-price department stores rose only 0.3 percent during the crucial months of November and December, blaming lower traffic.

The department store operator said year-to-date sales at full-price stores were below its expectation and included higher discounts taken during the holiday season and steps to adjust its inventory.

In contrast, Nordstrom said comparable sales at its off-price stores rose 3.9 percent during the nine-week ended Jan.5, while online sales jumped 18 percent during the period.

Nordstrom also said it expects full-year adjusted profit to be around the low end of a prior forecast range of $3.55 to $3.65 per share.

Department store retailers such as Macy's Inc M.N and Kohl's Corp KSS.N earlier this month reported disappointing holiday sales.

Shares of Nordstrom, which will report results Feb. 28 after markets close, were down 3 percent in light volumes in trading after the bell.