| Nature Of Operations And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies | NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company Founded in 1901 as a retail shoe business in Seattle, Washington, Nordstrom, Inc. is now a leading fashion retailer that offers customers a well-edited selection of high-quality fashion brands focused on apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories for women, men, young adults and children. This breadth of merchandise allows us to serve a wide range of customers who appreciate quality fashion and a superior shopping experience. We offer an extensive selection of high-quality brand-name and private label merchandise through multiple retail channels, including 117 Nordstrom U.S. full-line stores, including Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom.com, six Canada full-line stores, 232 off-price Nordstrom Rack stores, Nordstromrack.com/HauteLook, seven Trunk Club clubhouses and TrunkClub.com, two Jeffrey boutiques and two Last Chance clearance stores. Our stores are located in 40 states throughout the U.S and in three provinces in Canada. Through our Credit segment, our customers can access a variety of payment products and services, including a selection of Nordstrom-branded Visa® credit cards in the U.S. and Canada, as well as a Nordstrom-branded private label credit card and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. When customers use a Nordstrom-branded credit or debit card, they also participate in our loyalty program that provides benefits based on their level of spending. Although the primary purposes of our Credit segment are to foster greater customer loyalty and drive more sales, we also receive credit card revenue through our program agreement with TD Bank, N.A. (“TD”) (see Note 2: Credit Card Receivable Transaction ). Fiscal Year We operate on a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st. References to 2017 relate to the 53-week fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 . References to any other years included within this document are based on a 52-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 revenue recognition, inventory, long-lived assets, goodwill, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Net Sales We recognize sales revenue net of estimated returns and excluding sales taxes. Revenue from sales to customers shipped directly from our stores and fulfillment centers, which includes shipping revenue when applicable, is recognized upon estimated receipt by the customer. We estimate customer merchandise returns based on historical return patterns and reduce sales and cost of sales accordingly. Activity in the allowance for sales returns, net, for the past three fiscal years is as follows: Fiscal year 2017 2016 2015 Allowance at beginning of year $187 $170 $160 Charged to costs and expenses 3,307 3,023 2,720 Deductions 1 (3,310 ) (3,006 ) (2,710 ) Allowance at end of year $184 $187 $170 1 Deductions consist of actual returns, net of the value of the merchandise returned and any sales commission. Credit Card Revenues, net In October 2015, we completed the sale of a substantial majority of our U.S. Visa and private label credit card portfolio to TD. In November 2017, we sold the remaining balances which consisted of employee credit card receivables for the U.S. Visa and Nordstrom private label credit cards to TD (see Note 2: Credit Card Receivable Transaction ). Credit program revenues, net include our portion of the ongoing credit card revenue, net of credit losses, from both sold and newly generated credit card receivables pursuant to our program agreement with TD. Asset amortization and deferred revenue recognition associated with the assets and liabilities recorded as part of the transaction are also recorded in credit program revenues, net. Cost of Sales Cost of sales includes the purchase cost of inventory sold (net of vendor allowances), in-bound freight and certain costs of our loyalty program benefits. Loyalty Program In 2016, our Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program, which allows customers to accumulate points based on their level of spending, was expanded to enable any customer interested in participating to earn benefits regardless of how they choose to pay. Prior to 2016, our loyalty program was only offered to Nordstrom cardholders. Upon reaching certain point thresholds, customers receive Nordstrom Notes (“Notes”), which can be redeemed for goods or services offered at Nordstrom full-line stores, Nordstrom.com, Nordstrom Rack and Nordstromrack.com/HauteLook. Nordstrom cardholders can also earn rewards at Trunk Club. Customers who participate in our loyalty program through our credit and debit cards receive additional benefits including reimbursements for alterations, Personal Triple Points days, shopping and fashion events and early access to the Anniversary Sale. Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program liabilities of $69 and $62 were included in other current liabilities at the end of 2017 and 2016 . We estimate the net cost of Notes that will be issued and redeemed and record this cost as rewards points are accumulated. These costs, as well as reimbursed alterations, are recorded in cost of sales as we provide customers with products and services for these rewards. Other benefits of our Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program, including shopping and fashion events, are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. Total costs related to the Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program were $175 , $162 and $164 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Buying and Occupancy Costs Buying costs consist primarily of compensation and other costs incurred by our merchandising and product development groups. Occupancy costs include rent, depreciation, property taxes and facility operating costs of our retail, corporate center, fulfillment facilities and distribution operations. Rent We recognize minimum rent expense, net of developer reimbursements, on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term from the time that we control the leased property. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease terms, we record minimum rent expense on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, with the adjustments accrued as current and noncurrent deferred rent and included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet for the year ended February 3, 2018 . Contingent rental payments, typically based on a percentage of sales, are recognized in rent expense when payment of the contingent rent is probable. We receive incentives from developers to construct stores in certain developments. At the end of 2017 and 2016 , liabilities of $485 and $507 were recorded within deferred property incentives, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were recognized as a reduction of rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs, marketing, supply chain, technology and, prior to our credit card receivable transactions in October 2015 and November 2017, bad debt expense related to our credit card operations. Advertising Advertising production costs for internet, magazines, store events and other media are expensed the first time the advertisement is run. Online marketing costs are expensed when incurred. Total advertising expenses, net of vendor allowances, of $261 , $241 and $227 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 were included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Vendor Allowances We receive allowances from merchandise vendors for cosmetic expenses, purchase price adjustments, cooperative advertising programs and various other expenses. Allowances for cosmetic expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction of the related costs when incurred. Purchase price adjustments are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales at the point they have been earned and the related merchandise has been marked down or sold. Allowances for cooperative advertising programs and other expenses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction of the related costs when incurred. Any allowances in excess of actual costs incurred that are included in selling, general and administrative expenses are recorded as a reduction of cost of sales. Vendor allowances earned are as follows: Fiscal year 2017 2016 2015 Cosmetic expenses $159 $166 $161 Purchase price adjustments 184 179 178 Cooperative advertising 107 114 109 Other 7 6 7 Total vendor allowances $457 $465 $455 Shipping and Handling Costs Our shipping and handling costs include payments to third-party shippers and costs to hold, move and prepare merchandise for shipment. These costs do not include in-bound freight to our distribution centers, which we include in the cost of our inventory. Shipping and handling costs of $523 , $453 and $428 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 were included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Stock-Based Compensation We grant stock-based awards under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”), 2002 Nonemployee Director Stock Incentive Plan (“2002 Plan”) and Trunk Club Value Creation Plan (“VCP”), and employees may purchase our stock at a discount under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). We predominantly recognize stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based awards at their estimated grant date fair value, recorded on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation expense for certain award holders is accelerated based upon age and years of service. The total compensation expense is reduced by actual forfeitures as they occur over the vesting period of the awards. We estimate the grant date fair value of stock options using the Binomial Lattice option valuation model. Stock-based compensation expense related to the VCP is based on the grant date fair value of the payout scenario we believe is probable using the Black-Scholes valuation model and is recognized on an accelerated basis due to performance criteria and graded vesting features of the plan. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock on the date of grant, less the estimated present value of dividends over the vesting period. Performance share units granted prior to 2016 are classified as liabilities and revalued using the quoted price of our common stock as of each reporting date. Performance share units granted in 2016 and beyond are classified as equity and the fair value is determined using the Monte-Carlo valuation model. New Store Opening Costs Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, including marketing expenses, relocation expenses and occupancy costs, are charged to expense as incurred. These costs are included in both buying and occupancy costs and selling, general and administrative expenses according to their nature as disclosed above. Gift Cards We recognize revenue from the sale of gift cards when the gift card is redeemed by the customer, or we recognize breakage income when the likelihood of redemption, based on historical experience, is deemed to be remote. Based on an analysis of our program since its inception in 1999, we determined that balances remaining on cards issued beyond five years are unlikely to be redeemed and therefore are recognized as income. Breakage income was $16 , $12 and $11 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . To date, our breakage rate is approximately 2% of the amount initially issued as gift cards. Gift card breakage income is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. We had outstanding gift card liabilities of $425 and $389 at the end of 2017 and 2016 , which are included in other current liabilities. Income Taxes We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Using this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. We routinely evaluate the likelihood of realizing the benefit of our deferred tax assets and may record a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is determined that some portion of the tax benefit will not be realized. We regularly evaluate the likelihood of realizing the benefit for income tax positions we have taken in various federal, state and foreign filings by considering all relevant facts, circumstances and information available. If we believe it is more likely than not that our position will be sustained, we recognize a benefit at the largest amount that we believe is cumulatively greater than 50% likely to be realized. Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are classified as a component of income tax expense. Income taxes require significant management judgment regarding applicable statutes and their related interpretation, the status of various income tax audits and our particular facts and circumstances. Also, as audits are completed or statutes of limitations lapse, it may be necessary to record adjustments to our taxes payable, deferred taxes, tax reserves or income tax expense. In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. Among numerous other provisions, the Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. federal corporate income tax by reducing the statutory rate from 35% to 21% . Net earnings included $42 related to the Tax Act, which includes a provisional one-time, non-cash charge of $51 related to the revaluation of our net deferred tax assets for the change in statutory tax rate and for the impacts associated with the future limitations on executive compensation, partially offset by cash tax savings from a lower federal tax rate. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act and interpret any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts, which may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are recorded (see Note 13: Income Taxes ). Comprehensive Net Earnings Comprehensive net earnings consist of net earnings and other gains and losses affecting equity that are excluded from net earnings. These consist of postretirement plan adjustments, net of related income tax effects and foreign currency translation adjustments. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. At the end of 2017 and 2016 , checks not yet presented for payment drawn in excess of our bank deposit balances were $101 and $156 and included within accounts payable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net includes receivables from non-Nordstrom-branded credit and debit cards and, prior to our credit card receivable sale transaction in November 2017, employee credit card receivables. Merchandise Inventories Merchandise inventories are generally stated at the lower of cost or market value using the retail inventory method. Under the retail method, the valuation of inventories is determined by applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio to the retail value of ending inventory. The value of our inventory on the balance sheet is then reduced by a charge to cost of sales for retail inventory markdowns taken on the selling floor. To determine if the retail value of our inventory should be marked down, we consider current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise and fashion trends. We reserve for obsolescence based on historical trends and specific identification. Physical inventories are taken and inventory records are adjusted accordingly. We evaluate and determine our shrinkage rate using the most recent physical inventory and historical results as the basis for the shrinkage reserve following each physical inventory cycle and reporting date. The shrinkage reserve is based on a percentage of sales. Land, Property and Equipment Land is recorded at historical cost, while property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capitalized software includes the costs of developing or obtaining internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and internal payroll costs related to the software project. We capitalize interest on construction in progress and software projects during the period in which expenditures have been made, activities are in progress to prepare the asset for its intended use and actual interest costs are being incurred. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is determined by asset category as follows: Asset Life (in years) Buildings and improvements 5 – 40 Store fixtures and equipment 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements 5 – 40 Capitalized software 3 – 7 Leasehold improvements and leased property and equipment that are purchased at the inception of the lease, or during the lease term, are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the asset life. Lease terms include the fixed, non-cancellable term of a lease, plus any renewal periods determined to be reasonably assured. We receive contributions from vendors for the construction of certain fixtures in our stores. These contributions offset the related capital expenditures. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the related net assets acquired and is not subject to amortization. We review our goodwill annually for impairment or when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may exceed the fair value. We perform this evaluation at the reporting unit level, comprised of the principal business units within our Retail segment, through the application of a two-step fair value test. The first step compares the carrying value of the reporting unit to its estimated fair value, which is based on the expected present value of future cash flows (income approach), comparable public companies and acquisitions (market approach) or a combination of both. If fair value is lower than the carrying value, then a second step is performed to quantify the amount of the impairment. The following summarizes our goodwill activity for the past three fiscal years: Trunk Club HauteLook Other 1 Total Balance at January 31, 2015 $261 $121 $53 $435 Additions — — — — Balance at January 30, 2016 261 121 53 435 Impairment (197 ) — — (197 ) Balance at January 28, 2017 64 121 53 238 Additions — — — — Balance at February 3, 2018 $64 $121 $53 $238 1 Other includes Nordstrom.com and Jeffrey goodwill. The goodwill impairment charge of $197 for the year ended January 28, 2017 related to Trunk Club resulted from changes to the long-term operating plan that reflected lower expectations for growth and profitability than previous expectations (see Note 8: Fair Value Measurements ). Long-Lived Assets When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of long-lived assets, including buildings, equipment and amortizable intangible assets, may be impaired, we perform an evaluation of recoverability by comparing the carrying values of the net assets to their related projected undiscounted future cash flows, in addition to other quantitative and qualitative analyses. Land, property and equipment are grouped at the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash flows when assessing impairment. Cash flows for our retail store assets are identified at the individual store level, while our intangible assets associated with HauteLook and Trunk Club are identified at their respective reporting unit levels. The assets recorded in connection with the credit card receivable transaction are individually evaluated against the anticipated cash flows under the program agreement (see Note 2: Credit Card Receivable Transaction ). We did not record any material impairment losses for long-lived tangible or amortizable intangible assets in 2017 or 2016 . In 2015 , our cash flow analyses resulted in retail store impairment charges of $24 and other various impairment losses of $23 . The 2015 retail store impairment of $24 related to our full-line store in Puerto Rico and was primarily driven by a challenging retail market in this territory. Amortization expense for acquired intangibles was $11 , $14 and $16 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Future amortization expense of acquired intangible assets as of February 3, 2018 , are expected to be $7 in 2018 and $7 in 2019 . Self-Insurance We retain a portion of the risk for certain losses related to employee health and welfare, workers’ compensation and other liability claims. Liabilities associated with these losses include undiscounted estimates of both losses reported and losses incurred but not yet reported. We estimate our ultimate cost using an actuarially-based analysis of claims experience, regulatory changes and other relevant factors. Foreign Currency We have six full-line stores in Canada and have announced plans to open the first six Nordstrom Rack stores in Canada in 2018 . The functional currency of our Canadian operation is the Canadian Dollar. We translate assets and liabilities into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while we translate revenues and expenses using a weighted-average exchange rate for the period. We record these translation adjustments as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets . In addition, our U.S. operation incurs certain expenditures denominated in Canadian Dollars and our Canadian operation incurs certain expenditures denominated in U.S. Dollars. This activity results in transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations, which are recorded as gains or losses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings . As of February 3, 2018 , activities associated with foreign currency exchange risk have not had a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs which clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, on identifying performance obligations and licensing, on the revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections. We plan to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective adoption method. In our ongoing evaluation of this ASU, we have determined that the new standard will result in a net cumulative effect adjustment to decrease beginning accumulated deficit by approximately $55 , as well as the following impacts: • Gift card breakage will be recorded in sales, rather than selling, general, and administrative expenses. It will be estimated based on expected customer redemption periods, rather than when redemption is considered remote. • Loyalty sales attributable to our Nordstrom Rewards loyalty program benefits (for example, Notes, alterations) will be deferred rather than recording the loyalty program expenses as an increase to cost of sales. • Remaining unamortized balances of deferred revenue and investment in contract asset related to the sale of our receivables to TD will be written off as a cumulative-effect adjustment reducing accumulated deficit. • Revenue related to our online sales will be recognized at the shipping point rather than upon receipt by the customer. • Estimated costs of returns will be recorded as a current asset rather than netted with our sales return reserve. We do not expect the provisions of this ASU to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements beyond our initial adoption. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases . This ASU increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee’s rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification dictates whether lease expense is to be recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures will be required to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing and judgments related to a reporting entity’s cash flows arising from leases. This ASU is effective for Nordstrom beginning in the first quarter of 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the standard, which will require recognizing and measuring leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. We expect adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation — Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments and presentation within the financial statements. We adopted ASU No. 2016-09 with an effective date of January 29, 2017. The impact of the adoption resulted in the following: • Excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation arrangements are now recorded within income tax expense on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings when the awards vest or are settled, rather than within equity. Additionally, excess tax benefits are now excluded from assumed future proceeds in our calculation of diluted shares for purposes of determining diluted earnings per share. The prospective adoption of this provision did not have a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended February 3, 2018 . We had no previously unrecognized excess tax benefits that would have resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. • Forfeitures on share-based awards are recorded as they occur, rather than our historical method of estimating forfeitures at the grant date. In evaluating the impact of this change, the adjustment to adopt on a modified retrospective basis was immaterial, therefore, no adjustment has been made to beginning retained earnings. • Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements are classified as cash flows from operations, rather than as cash flows from financing activities. We adopted this change retrospectively, which resulted in an increase to net cash provided by operating activities and an increase in cash flows used in financing activities of $5 for 2016 and $15 for 2015 . Additionally, cash flows related to withholding shares for tax purposes on net-settled awards are classified as financing activities, rather than operating activities. This classification change was also adopted retrospectively, resulting in an increase of $5 for 2016 and $4 for 2015 to net cash provided by operating activities with an offsetting increase to net cash used in financing activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for 2016 and 2015 . In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under this new guidance, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance would have on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (the “Bulletin”), which provides accounting guidance regarding accounting for income taxes for the reporting period that includes the enactment of the Tax Act. The Bulletin provides guidance in those situations where the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act will be incomplete by the time financial statements are issued for the reporting period that includes the enactment date. For those elements of the Tax Act that cannot be reasonably estimated, no effect will be recorded. The SEC has provided in the Bulletin that in situations where the accounting is incomplete for certain effects of the Tax Act, a measurement period which begins in the reporting period that includes the enactment of the Tax Act and ends when the entity has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information is needed in order to complete the accounting requirements. The measurement period shall not exceed one year from enactment. In accordance with SAB 118, we have recorded provisional tax expense associated with the impacts of the Tax Act (see Note 13: Income Taxes for additional information). In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This new guidance will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. The ASU is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. |
