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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TvVPpB2ZUlzJH4dQa/+I7c8bdNwGtzeW1OzBJ7ZQQrSwtWBuDx4m5fB7zL+3mbD+
 2JZrdjp+s6kXtnZrGm/pdA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000072333-05-000052.txt : 20050224
<SEC-HEADER>0000072333-05-000052.hdr.sgml : 20050224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050224172711
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000072333-05-000052
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050224
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050224

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLLINS PETER F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219348

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15059
		FILM NUMBER:		05638222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 PARKCENTER BLVD PO BOX 20
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83726

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORDSTROM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000072333
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FAMILY CLOTHING STORES [5651]
		IRS NUMBER:				910515058
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0129

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1700 SEVENTH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1300
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101-4407
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066282111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1770
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98111

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NORDSTROM BEST INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19730611
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000072333</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORDSTROM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JWN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219348</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COLLINS PETER F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NORDSTROM, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1700 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98101</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Controller</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>39.84</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-05-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Granted under the Nordstrom, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, exercisable in four equal annual installments commencing on 5/24/05.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Duane E. Adams, Attorney-in-Fact for Peter F. Collins</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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