Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Net Sales By Channel) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012		Jul. 30, 2011		Jul. 28, 2012		Jul. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,918		$ 2,716		$ 5,453		$ 4,945
Total Retail segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,063		2,818		5,639		5,077
Nordstrom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,423		2,285		4,381		4,052
Nordstrom full-line stores [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,114		2,063		3,830		3,662
Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	309		222		551		390
Nordstrom Rack [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	577		484		1,134		950
Other retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	63	[1]	49	[1]	124	[1]	75	[1]
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ (145)		$ (102)		$ (186)		$ (132)

[1] Other retail includes our HauteLook online private sale subsidiary, our Jeffrey stores and our treasure&bond store.