HauteLook	12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
HauteLook	HAUTELOOK In 2011, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of HauteLook, Inc., an online private sale retailer offering limited time sale events on fashion and lifestyle brands, for upfront consideration of $180 in Nordstrom stock and an "earn-out" provision of up to $90 that was ultimately settled in 2011 for $30 of additional Nordstrom stock. The upfront consideration included $27 related to amounts attributable to HauteLook employees that are subject to ongoing vesting requirements and are recorded as compensation expense as the related service is performed over the respective employee vesting periods of up to four years after the acquisition date. On the acquisition date, we recorded intangible assets of $62 and goodwill of $146, offset by other net liabilities of $13. We amortize the intangible assets over their estimated lives of two to seven years on a straight-line basis, which reasonably approximates the pattern of expected economic benefit. We recorded intangible amortization expense of $19 for 2012 and $16 for 2011. The goodwill value of $146 recorded at the time of the acquisition was the excess of the purchase price over the net assets recognized. We include this goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, in our Retail segment. In 2011, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $25, reducing the HauteLook goodwill to $121 due to a reorganization of HauteLook, changes in expected business results and market dynamics. Additionally, as part of the reorganization, we recorded income of $12 related to the settlement of the earn-out liability. We recognized no goodwill impairment charge for fiscal 2012. See Note 9: Fair Value Measurements for additional information relating to the valuation of the goodwill impairment charge.

HAUTELOOK

In 2011, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of HauteLook, Inc., an online private sale retailer offering limited time sale events on fashion and lifestyle brands, for upfront consideration of $180 in Nordstrom stock and an "earn-out" provision of up to $90 that was ultimately settled in 2011 for $30 of additional Nordstrom stock. The upfront consideration included $27 related to amounts attributable to HauteLook employees that are subject to ongoing vesting requirements and are recorded as compensation expense as the related service is performed over the respective employee vesting periods of up to four years after the acquisition date.

On the acquisition date, we recorded intangible assets of $62 and goodwill of $146, offset by other net liabilities of $13. We amortize the intangible assets over their estimated lives of two to seven years on a straight-line basis, which reasonably approximates the pattern of expected economic benefit. We recorded intangible amortization expense of $19 for 2012 and $16 for 2011.

The goodwill value of $146 recorded at the time of the acquisition was the excess of the purchase price over the net assets recognized. We include this goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes, in our Retail segment. In 2011, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $25, reducing the HauteLook goodwill to $121 due to a reorganization of HauteLook, changes in expected business results and market dynamics. Additionally, as part of the reorganization, we recorded income of $12 related to the settlement of the earn-out liability. We recognized no goodwill impairment charge for fiscal 2012. See Note 9: Fair Value Measurements for additional information relating to the valuation of the goodwill impairment charge.