NEW YORK (Reuters) - The founding family behind Nordstrom Inc ( JWN ) is seeking to take the U.S. department store operator private, six years after a similar attempt proved unsuccessful, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Nordstrom ( JWN ) has asked investment banks Morgan Stanley ( MS ) and Centerview Partners to reach out to private equity firms and gauge their interest for a potential deal, the sources said.

There is no certainty that a deal will happen, the sources added, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

Nordstrom ( JWN ), Centerview and Morgan Stanley ( MS ) did not immediately respond to requests for comment