Segment Reporting (Schedule Of Net Sales By Channel) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013		Jan. 28, 2012		Jan. 29, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,596	$ 2,713	$ 2,918	$ 2,535	$ 3,169	$ 2,383	$ 2,716	$ 2,229	$ 11,762		$ 10,497		$ 9,310
Total Retail segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									11,949		10,656		9,420
Nordstrom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									9,233		8,426		7,700
Nordstrom full-line stores [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									7,964		7,513		6,995
Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,269		913		705
Nordstrom Rack [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									2,445		2,045		1,691
Other retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									271	[1]	185	[1]	29	[1]
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ (187)		$ (159)		$ (110)

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