Accounts Receivable (Components Of Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 30, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses	$ (125)	$ (125)	$ (145)	$ (160)	$ (175)	$ (190)
Other accounts receivable	85		68	73
Accounts receivable, net	1,995		2,026	2,015
Nordstrom VISA Credit Card Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Credit card receivables	1,344		1,431	1,450
Nordstrom Private Label Card Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Credit card receivables	691		672	652
Total Credit Card Receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Credit card receivables	2,035		2,103	2,102
Credit card receivables, net	$ 1,910		$ 1,958	$ 1,942