Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Issuances or borrowings Long-term Line of Credit City Area Code City Area Code Stock-based compensation APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Revenue recognized from beginning contract liability balance Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Kids' Apparel [Member] Childrens Apparel [Member] Children's apparel [Member] Number of options to extend revolver Option to Extend Revolver Number of options to extend the revolving commitment by one year provided we obtain written consent from the lenders. Loss per share: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Senior Secured Notes 8.750% due May 2025, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Secured Notes 8750 Percent Due May 2025 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior Secured Notes 8.750% due May 2025, net of unamortized discount [Member] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Payments on revolving line of credit Repayments of Lines of Credit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract] Units granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Weighted-average grant-date fair value per unit (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Name of Property [Domain] Name of Property [Domain] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date 2021 Refinancing 2021 Refinancing [Member] 2021 Refinancing Assets Assets [Abstract] Nordstrom [Member] Nordstrom [Member] Nordstrom [Member] Total revenues Revenues Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, after Tax Diluted (in shares) Diluted shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Summary Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Abstract] Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items] Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items] Cost Of Sales And Related Buying And Occupancy Costs [Member] Cost Of Sales And Related Buying And Occupancy Costs [Member] Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs [Member] PSUs [Member] Performance Shares [Member] Installment payments remaining Installment Payments Remaining Number of installment payments remaining for condominium interest on the New York City Flagship store. Land, property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $7,322, $7,159 and $6,683) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Total assets Assets Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Carrying value of applicable assets after impairment Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Carrying Value of Asset Document Type Document Type Information By Reportable Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Common stock Common Domain Members [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Summary Of Carrying Value And Fair Value Estimate Of Long-Term Debt Fair Value Disclosure of Asset and Liability Not Measured at Fair Value [Table Text Block] Principal payments on long-term borrowings Principal payments on long-term borrowings Repayments of Long-term Debt Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Operating lease ROU asset impairment Operating Lease, Impairment Loss Operating lease liabilities arising from the commencement of lease agreements Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Nordstrom Rack [Member] Nordstrom Rack [Member] Nordstrom Rack [Member] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Senior notes, 4.25%, due August 2031, net of unamortized discount Senior notes, 4.25%, due August 2031, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior notes, 4.25%, due August 2031, net of unamortized discount Senior notes, 2.3%, due April 2024, net of unamortized discount Senior notes, 2.3%, due April 2024, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior notes, 2.3%, due April 2024, net of unamortized discount Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) Commitments and Contingencies Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Income taxes, net Income Taxes Paid, Net Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Remaining share repurchase capacity Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Other [Member] Other Stock-based Compensation [Member] Other Stock-based Compensation [Member] Debt And Credit Facilities Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity File Number Entity File Number Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Make-whole payment and other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Stock-based compensation expense Total stock-based compensation expense, before income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Computation Of Earnings Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Proceeds from revolving line of credit Proceeds from Lines of Credit Condensed Income Statement [Table] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Operating Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Applicable operating lease ROU assets [Member] Operating Right-of-Use Asset [Member] Operating Right-of-Use Asset [Member] Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans Shares Issued, Value, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] COVID-19 Related Asset Impairment Charges Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale [Table Text Block] 2018 Program [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen Program [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen Program [Member] Prepaid Expenses and Other [Member] Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] Basis Of Presentation Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Option to increase the maximum capacity of revolving credit facility Revolving Credit Facility Option To Increase Maximum Amount The maximum amount by which the entity may choose to increase the maximum capacity of a credit facility. Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Commercial paper [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Credit card revenues, net Credit Card Revenues, net Interest and fee income from credit card balances due from individuals. Such loans are considered revolving credit arrangements. Also, pursuant to the program agreement with TD Bank, amount includes Nordstrom's portion of the ongoing credit card revenue (net of credit losses) from both the sold and newly generated credit card receivables, asset amortization and deferred revenue recognition of the assets and liabilities recorded as part of the transaction. Goodwill Goodwill Summary Of Grants Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments, Grants in Period [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the number and weighted-average grant date fair value of equity options or other equity instruments granted during the year. Operating Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Other [Member] Other Products And Services [Member] Other Products And Services [Member] Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Disaggregated Net Sales Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Basic (in dollars per share) Loss per basic share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Comprehensive net loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Borrowings under revolving line of credit Line of Credit, Current Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Proceeds from long-term borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Percent Of Net Sales By Merchandise Category Summary Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block] Weighted-average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Interest expense, net Interest expense Interest Expense Summary Of Contract Liabilities Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block] Debt covenant leverage ratio Debt Instrument, Debt Covenant Leverage Ratio Debt Instrument, Debt Covenant Leverage Ratio Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Right-of-use asset amortization Non-cash Lease Expense Net present value of operating lease expense net of developer reimbursements amortization, classified as operating activity. Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Digital Sales [Member] Digital Sales [Member] Sales comprised of Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com/HauteLook and Trunk Club, as well as digitally assisted store sales, which include Buy Online, Pickup in Store ("BOPUS"), Reserve Online, Try on in Store (Store Reserve) and Style Board, a digital selling tool. Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Nordstrom US [Member] Nordstrom US [Member] Nordstrom full-line stores in the U.S. [Member] Dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Asset impairment Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Minimum leverage ratio for debt covenant to pay dividends or repurchase shares Debt Covenant, Minimum Leverage Ratio The minimum pro-forma leverage ratio allowed for the Company to pay dividends or repurchase shares under the revolver amendment. Debt instrument interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage (Decrease) increase in cash book overdrafts Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs Cost Of Sales And Related Buying And Occupancy Costs The aggregate of cost of sales, buying and occupancy costs during the reporting period. Buying costs consist primarily of compensation and other costs incurred by our merchandise and product development groups. Occupancy costs include rent, depreciation, property taxes and facility operating costs of our retail, corporate center and distribution operations. Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Stock options granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Post retirement plan adjustments, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Disaggregated sales by category Disaggregated Sales by Category Disaggregation of revenue by category (as a percentage of total net sales). Total current assets Assets, Current Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Net sales Net sales Net Sales Revenue Total revenue from sale of goods and services during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Name of Property [Axis] Name of Property [Axis] Net loss Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accounts receivable, net Receivables, Net, Current Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Fair Value Measurements, Long-term Debt [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, No Par Value Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Applicable long-lived assets [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Total asset impairment Impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Fair value of long-term debt Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Carrying value of long-term debt Total long-term debt Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Includes capital lease obligations. Other Assets [Member] Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] Long-term debt, net Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Long-lived asset impairment Tangible Asset Impairment Charges Tax withholding on share-based awards Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement Merchandise inventories Inventory, Net Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Shoes [Member] Shoes [Member] Shoes [Member] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Non-current operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Revolver [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Minimum liquidity for debt covenant amendment to pay dividends or repurchase shares Debt Covenant, Minimum Liquidity The minimum pro-forma liquidity allowed for the Company to pay dividends or repurchase shares under the revolver amendment. Borrowings not available at this time Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Shareholders’ equity: Shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Weighted-average grant-date fair value per stock option (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Cash dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock RSUs [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Restructuring costs Severance Costs Loss before interest and income taxes Loss before interest and income taxes Earnings Before Interest And Income Taxes This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations (before interest income and interest expense) attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before interest income, interest expense, income taxes and extraordinary items. Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Reclassification Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 158.9, 157.8 and 157.0 shares issued and outstanding Common stock, balance, beginning of period Common stock, balance, end of period Common Stock, Value, Issued Number of stores Number of Stores Proceeds from issuances under stock compensation plans Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss, balance, beginning of period Accumulated other comprehensive loss, balance, end of period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Merchandise inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Cash paid during the period for: Cash Paid During The Period For Abstract Cash Paid During The Period For. Men's Apparel [Member] Mens Apparel [Member] Men's apparel [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Accumulated Deficit [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Basic (in shares) Basic shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Non-cash investing activities related to technology expenditures and accounts payable Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Total shareholders’ equity Total Shareholders’ Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Lease liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Lease Liability The amount of increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the net amount of operating lease liabilities that result from activities that generate operating income. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Depreciation and amortization expenses Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Interest, net of capitalized interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Accumulated deficit Accumulated deficit, balance, beginning of period Accumulated deficit, balance, end of period Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Women's Accessories [Member] Womens Accessories [Member] Women's accessories [Member] One-time "make-whole" payment Interest Paid, Capitalized, Investing Activities Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Diluted (in dollars per share) Loss per diluted share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Beauty [Member] Cosmetics [Member] Cosmetics [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Dividends Dividends, Cash Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Stock options [Member] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Income taxes receivable Income Taxes Receivable Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Share repurchase authorization Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Corporate/Other [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Women's Apparel [Member] Womens Apparel [Member] Women's apparel [Member] Other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Liabilities Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Stock-Based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Retail [Member] Retail Segment [Member] Retail Segment [Member] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Loss before income taxes Loss before income taxes Earnings Before Income Taxes This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes and extraordinary items.