Basis of Presentation and Consolidation (Nature of Operations) (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
department_store
state
Feb. 01, 2014
Feb. 02, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Nature of Operations Our Company was founded by James Cash Penney in 1902 and has grown to be a major national retailer, operating 1,094 department stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico, as well as through our Internet website at jcpenney.com. We sell family apparel and footwear, accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, beauty products through Sephora inside JCPenney, and home furnishings. In addition, our department stores provide services, such as styling salon, optical, portrait photography and custom decorating, to customers.    
Number of stores 1,062    
Number of states in which entity operates 49    
State of incorporation Delaware    
Fiscal Period Duration 364 days 364 days 371 days
J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Year incorporated 1924    
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Year incorporated 2002    
Founded by James Cash Penney [Member]      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Year incorporated 1902