Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Operating Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Operating Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Full-Price [Member] Full-Price [Member] Full-Price [Member] Off-Price [Member] Off-Price [Member] Off-Price [Member] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] 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. Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] 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. Disaggregated sales by category Disaggregated Sales by Category Disaggregation of revenue by category (as a percentage of total net sales). Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization expenses and other, net Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Amortization of deferred property incentives Amortization Of Deferred Property Incentives And Other Net The amount of recurring noncash expense charged against earnings during the period for amortization, primarily of deferred property incentives (deferred credits received as an inducement or incentive for entering into a lease or real estate agreement), and also for amortization of deferred bond offering costs and other items. 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. Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Merchandise inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Liabilities Deferred property incentives Increase (Decrease) In Deferred Property Incentives The net change during the reporting period, excluding the portion taken into income, in Deferred Property Incentives (deferred credits received as an inducement or incentive for entering into a lease or real estate agreement). 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. Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Other, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Principal payments on long-term borrowings Repayments of Long-term Debt Increase in cash book overdrafts Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts Cash dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Payments for repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Proceeds from issuances under stock compensation plans Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised Tax withholding on share-based awards Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-based Payment Arrangement Other, net Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Cash Paid During The Period For Abstract Cash Paid During The Period For. Income taxes, net Income Taxes Paid, Net Interest, net of capitalized interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Leases [Abstract] Minimum rent Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals Percentage rent Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals Property incentives Property incentives This item represents the credit for an incentive or inducement received by a lessee from a lessor, in order to motivate the lessee to enter the lease agreement, which incentive or inducement is to be recognized as a reduction of rental expense over the lease term. Total rent expense Operating Leases, Rent Expense Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Shareholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, no par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, No Par Value Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Revenue recognized from beginning contract liability balance Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis Of Presentation Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Leases Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net earnings Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Post retirement plan adjustments, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Comprehensive net earnings Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Category of Item Purchased [Axis] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Long-term Purchase Commitment, Category of Item Purchased [Domain] Manhattan full-line store [Member] Manhattan Full-line Store [Member] Manhattan full-line store [Member]. Property Assets Subject to Lien [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Fee interest in land Amount Of Property Assets Subject To Lien Amount of property assets subject to lien until project completion or fulfillment of our existing installment payment commitment. Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Assets [Member] Assets, Total [Member] Liabilities, Total [Member] Liabilities, Total [Member] Reclassification to ROU assets [Member] Reclass to ROU assets [Member] Reclassification of deferred property incentives, net to right of use assets Reclassification to liabilities [Member] Reclass to liabilities [Member] Reclassification of deferred property incentives, net from right of use assets to other current liabilities or other liabilities Accumulated Deficit [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Major Property Class [Axis] Major Property Class [Axis] Major Property Class [Domain] Major Property Class [Domain] FLS [Member] Full-line store [Member] Full-line store [Member] Nordstrom Rack [Member] Nordstrom Rack [Member] Nordstrom Rack [Member] Other facilities [Member] Offices Warehouses And Equipment [Member] Offices, Warehouses And Equipment [Member] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Impact of adopting the Lease Standard New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification Lease terms Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Charges not included in rent expense Charges Not Included In Rent Expense Common area charges, real estate taxes and other executory costs not included in rent expense. Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Women's Apparel [Member] Womens Apparel [Member] Women's apparel [Member] Shoes [Member] Shoes [Member] Shoes [Member] Men's Apparel [Member] Mens Apparel [Member] Men's apparel [Member] Women's Accessories [Member] Womens Accessories [Member] Women's accessories [Member] Beauty [Member] Cosmetics [Member] Cosmetics [Member] Kids' Apparel [Member] Childrens Apparel [Member] Children's apparel [Member] Other [Member] Other Products And Services [Member] Other Products And Services [Member] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] 2018 Program [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen Program [Member] Two Thousand Eighteen Program [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items] Retained Earnings Adjustments [Line Items] Share repurchase authorization Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Remaining share repurchase capacity Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Quarterly dividend declared and paid in subsequent quarter Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net Receivables, Net, Current Merchandise inventories Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Land, property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $6,813, $6,647 and $6,393) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Goodwill Goodwill Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt, net Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Deferred property incentives, net Incentive from Lessor Non-current operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' equity: Common stock, no par value: 1,000 shares authorized; 154.9, 157.6 and 167.5 shares issued and outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Entity File Number Entity File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] RSUs [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Stock options [Member] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Other [Member] Other Stock-based Compensation [Member] Other Stock-based Compensation [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Total stock-based compensation expense, before income tax benefit Income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, Tax Benefit Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax benefit Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense, after Tax Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Summary Of Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Measurements, Long-term Debt [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] 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. Fair value of long-term debt Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Senior notes, 4.75%, due May 2020, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Notes475 Percent Due May2020 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior Notes 4.75 Percent Due May 2020 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior notes, 4.00%, due October 2021, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Notes Four Percent Due October Two Thousand And Twenty One Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior Notes, Four Percent, Due October Two Thousand And Twenty One, Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior notes, 4.00%, due March 2027, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Notes400 Percent Due March2027 [Member] Senior Notes 4.00 Percent Due March 2027, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior debentures, 6.95%, due March 2028, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Debentures695 Percent Due March2028 [Member] Senior Debentures 6.95 Percent Due March 2028 [Member] Senior notes, 7.00%, due January 2038, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Notes700 Percent Due January2038 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior Notes 7.00 Percent Due January 2038 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior notes, 5.00%, due January 2044, net of unamortized discount [Member] Senior Notes500 Percent Due January2044 Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Senior Notes, Five Percent, Due January Two Thousand And Forty Four, Net Of Unamortized Discount [Member] Other [Member] Debt [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Total long-term debt Less: current portion Total due beyond one year Debt instrument interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Maturity date Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Operating lease cost Operating Lease, Cost Variable lease cost Variable Lease, Cost Sublease income Sublease Income Total lease cost Lease, Cost Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Retail [Member] Retail Segment [Member] Retail Segment [Member] Corporate/Other [Member] Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Earnings (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. Interest expense, net Interest Expense Earnings 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. Debt And Credit Facilities Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Leases Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] Share repurchase program line items Shares of common stock repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Aggregate amount of common stock repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Summary Of Share Repurchase Activity Summary Of Share Repurchase Program Activity Text Block Summary of Share Repurchase Program Activity. Includes the number and average price per share that was repurchased during the period. Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] 2019 Plan [Member] Two Thousand Nineteen Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Two Thousand Nineteen Equity Incentive Plan [Member] 2002 Plan [Member] 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan [Member] 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan [Member] 2010 Plan [Member] Two Thousand Ten Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Two Thousand Ten Equity Incentive Plan [Member] Shares or units authorized under equity incentive plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Shares or units available for grant under equity incentive plan Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Components Of Lease Cost Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Future Lease Payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Supplemental Lease Information Lessee, Other Information [Table Text Block] Lessee, Other Information [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Rent Expense Schedule of Rent Expense [Table Text Block] Future Minimum Lease Payments Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Commercial paper [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Unsecured revolving credit facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Total short-term borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity 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. Maximum borrowing capacity with option Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 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. Debt covenant leverage ratio Debt Instrument, Debt Covenant Leverage Ratio Debt Instrument, Debt Covenant Leverage Ratio Issuances or borrowings Long-term Line of Credit Debt instrument interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Full repayment of outstanding Puerto Rico unsecured borrowing facility Repayments of Debt Basic shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Diluted shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Earnings per basic share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings per diluted share (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Cash paid related to operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Payments Operating lease interest Operating Lease Interest Amount of interest that present values the cash paid for operating leases, classified as operating activity. Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining ROU assets Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Cash received from developer reimbursements Developer reimbursements Cash received from developer reimbursements Amortization of developer reimbursements Developer Reimbursement Amortization The amount of recurring non-cash expense charged against earnings during the period for amortization of developer reimbursements (deferred credits received as an inducement or incentive for entering into a lease or real estate agreement) Weighted-average remaining lease term Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Weighted-average discount rate Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] PSUs [Member] Performance Shares [Member] 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 Stock options granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross 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 Computation Of Earnings Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] 2019 (excluding the six months ended August 3, 2019) Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year 2020 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Rolling Twelve Months 2021 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two 2022 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four 2024 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Rolling Year Five Total lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Less: amount representing interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Present value of net lease payments Operating Lease, Liability Lease payments for operating leases that have not yet commenced Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Liability Incurred Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Liability Incurred Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Summary Of Contract Liabilities Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block] Disaggregated Net Sales Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Percent Of Net Sales By Merchandise Category Summary Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block] Summary Of Carrying Value And Fair Value Estimate Of Long-Term Debt Schedule Of Financial Instruments Not Measured At Fair Value Table Text Block [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value. Stock-Based Compensation Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] 2019 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months 2020 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years 2021 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years 2022 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years 2023 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Total minimum lease payments Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Common stock Common Domain Members [Abstract] Common stock, balance, beginning of period Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans Shares Issued, Value, Share-based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Stock-based compensation APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Common stock, balance, end of period Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Abstract] Accumulated deficit, balance, beginning of period Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standard Dividends Dividends, Cash Repurchase of common stock Accumulated deficit, balance, end of period Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive loss, balance, beginning of period Cumulative effect of adopted accounting standards Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Accumulated other comprehensive loss, balance, end of period Total Dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Summary Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] 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. Information By Reportable Segment Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Income Statement [Abstract] Net sales 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. Total revenues Revenues 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. Selling, general and administrative expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expense Earnings before interest and income taxes Earnings before income taxes Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net earnings Earnings per share: Basic (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted-average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Diluted (in shares)