Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Nov. 01, 2014
Aug. 02, 2014
May 03, 2014
Feb. 01, 2014
Nov. 02, 2013
Aug. 03, 2013
May 04, 2013
Jan. 31, 2015
Feb. 01, 2014
Feb. 02, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Total net sales $ 3,893 $ 2,764 $ 2,799 $ 2,801 $ 3,782 $ 2,779 $ 2,663 $ 2,635 $ 12,257 $ 11,859 $ 12,985
Gross margin 1,314 1,013 1,008 926 1,074 [1] 819 787 812 4,261 3,492 4,066
SG&A expenses 1,032 988 964 1,009 1,004 1,006 1,026 1,078 3,993 4,114 4,506
Restructuring and management transition 48 12 5 22 50 46 47 72 87 215 298
Net income/(loss)(2) (59) [2] (188) [2] (172) [2] (352) [2] 35 [3] (489) [3] (586) [3] (348)      
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share(3) $ (0.19) [4] $ (0.62) [4] $ (0.56) [4] $ (1.15) [4] $ 0.11 $ (1.94) $ (2.66) $ (1.58) $ (2.53) $ (5.57) $ (4.49)
Change to income tax valuation allowance 56 107 28 120 (178) 184 218        
Sale of Non-operating Assets 2 2 9 12 46 24 62        
Asset impairments                 30 18 26
Income tax expense/(benefit)         270       23 (498) (551)
Store Impairment Charges [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Asset impairments         12            
Impairment of Trade Name [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Asset impairments 30       9            
Discontinued Brands Negative Effect [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Gross margin         72            
Home Office And Stores [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Restructuring and management transition 30 3 0 12 22 (6) 4 28      
Store Fixtures [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Restructuring and management transition         0 10 17 28      
Management Transition [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Restructuring and management transition 1 7 1 7 5 3 13 16      
Other [Member]                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Restructuring and management transition $ 17 $ 2 $ 4 $ 3 $ 23 $ 39 $ 13 $ 0      
[1] Includes a negative impact of $72 million related to the discontinuation of brands that are not part of our go-forward merchandising strategy.
[2] The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014 contained increases to our tax valuation allowance of $120 million, $28 million, $107 million and $56 million, respectively. The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014 contained gains from non-operating assets sales (Note 16) of $12 million, $9 million, $2 million and $2 million, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2014 includes $30 million of store impairments charges recorded in Real estate and other, net (Note 16).
[3] The second and third quarters of 2013 contained increases to our tax valuation allowance of $218 million and $184 million, respectively and a decrease of $178 million to our valuation allowance in the fourth quarter. The second, third and fourth quarters of 2013 contained gains from non-operating assets sales (Note 16) of $62 million, $24 million and $46 million, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2013 includes $12 million of store impairments charges and a $9 million impairment to our monet trade name recorded in Real estate and other, net (Note 16) Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2013 we recognized a tax benefit of $270 million from income related to actuarial gains included in other comprehensive income. This tax benefit was offset by tax expense recorded for such gains in other comprehensive income.
[4] EPS is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. The sum of the quarters may not equal the total year amount due to the impact of changes in average quarterly shares outstanding