text: Through our Credit segment, we provide our customers with a variety of payment products and services, including a Nordstrom private label 
  card, two Nordstrom Visa credit cards and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. These products also allow our customers to participate in 
  our loyalty program designed to increase customer visits and spending. Although the primary purposes of our Credit segment are to foster 
  greater customer loyalty and drive more sales, we also generate revenues from finance charges and other fees on these cards. In addition, 
  we save on interchange fees that the Retail segment would incur if our customers used third-party cards. 
  
  **Fiscal Year**
  We operate on a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st. References to 2014 and all years within this 
  document are based on a 52-week fiscal year, except 2012, which is based on a 53-week fiscal year. 
  
  **Principles of Consolidation**
  The consolidated financial statements include the balances of Nordstrom, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and 
  balances are eliminated in consolidation. 
  
  **Use of Estimates**
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make 
  estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets 
  and liabilities during the reporting period. Uncertainties regarding such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial 
  statements and actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Our most significant accounting judgments and estimates 
  include the allowance for credit losses, revenue recognition, inventory, goodwill, stock-based compensation and income taxes. 