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Namespace Prefix:	jwn_
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Period Type:	duration

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount authorized by an entity's Board of Directors under a stock repurchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013 2012 Program [Member]	Mar. 18, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member]	Mar. 18, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] 2013 Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Share repurchase authorization					$ 800		$ 800
Dividends paid	$ 0.27	$ 1.08	$ 0.92	$ 0.76
Quarterly dividend per share declared and paid in 2013						$ 0.30