Stockholders' Equity (Components of Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2012
Feb. 02, 2013
Jan. 28, 2012
Jan. 29, 2011
Jul. 20, 2012
Jul. 19, 2012
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]            
Unrealized gain/(loss) on REITs, gross amount   $ 56 $ 82 $ 76    
Unrealized gain/(loss) on REITs, tax   (20) (29) (27)    
Unrealized gain/(loss) on REITs, net amount   36 53 49    
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), gross amount 270 (286) [1]        
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), tax   102        
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), net amount   (184)        
Net actuarial gain/(loss) arising during the period, gross amount   60 (872) 386    
Net actuarial gain/(loss) arising during the period, tax   (23) 338 (150)    
Net actuarial gain/(loss) arising during the period, net amount   37 (534) 236    
Prior service credit/(cost) arising during the period, gross amount   (42) (4)      
Prior service credit/(cost) arising during the period, tax   16 1      
Prior service credit/(cost) arising during the period, net amount   (26) (3)      
Reclassification of net prior service (credit)/cost recognized in net income/(loss) from a curtailment, gross amount   (5) 1      
Reclassification of net prior service (credit)/cost recognized in net income/(loss) from a curtailment, tax   2        
Reclassification of net prior service (credit)/cost recognized in net income/(loss) from a curtailment, net amount   (3) 1      
Reclassification of net actuarial (gain)/loss recognized in net periodic benefit expense/(income) from a settlement, gross amount   148        
Reclassification of net actuarial (gain)/loss recognized in net periodic benefit expense/(income) from a settlement, tax   (57)        
Reclassification of net actuarial (gain)/loss recognized in net periodic benefit expense/(income) from a settlement, net amount   91        
Reclassification for amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), gross amount   242 154 254    
Reclassification for amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), tax   (94) (60) (99)    
Reclassification for amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), net amount   148 94 155    
Reclassification for amortization of prior service (credit)/cost included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), gross amount   (13) (24) (24)    
Reclassification for amortization of prior service (credit)/cost included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), tax   5 9 9    
Reclassification for amortization of prior service (credit)/cost included in net periodic benefit expense, net amount   (8) (15) (15)    
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Total   160 (663) 692    
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), Deferred Tax Asset   (69) 259 (267)    
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax   $ 91 $ (404) $ 425    
REIT unit fair market value SPG           $ 158.13
REIT unit cash price SPG         $ 124.00  
[1] During the second quarter of 2012, the reclassification adjustment for the Simon Property Group, L.P. (SPG) units of $270 million was calculated by using the closing fair market value per SPG unit of $158.13 on July 19, 2012 for the two million REIT units that were redeemed on July 20, 2012. The REIT units were redeemed at a price of $124.00 per unit (see Note 17).