Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) (Details) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2012
Jan. 31, 2015
Feb. 01, 2014
Feb. 02, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), gross amount $ (270) $ 0 $ (24) $ (285) [1]
Tax (expense)/benefit   0 8 [2] 101 [3]
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain)/loss   0 (16) (184)
Reclassification for amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), gross amount   65 175 242
Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost   (1) (1) (13)
Reclassification for amortization of prior service (credit)/cost   (1) (1) (8)
Reclassification of net actuarial (gain)/loss recognized in net periodic benefit expense/(income) from a settlement, gross amount   0 [4] 0 148
Decrease in deferred tax valuation allowance   25 0 0
Other comprehensive income/(loss)   (437) 490 91
Primary and Supplemental Pension Plans Total        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Amortization of actuarial (gain)/loss   66 176 243
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)   7 7 1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain)/loss   0 (16) (184)
Total reclassifications   64 91 44
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Primary and Supplemental Pension Plans Total        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification for amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss included in net periodic benefit expense/(income), gross amount   66 [4] 176 [4] 243 [4]
Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost   7 [4] 7 [4] 1 [4]
Reclassification of net actuarial (gain)/loss recognized in net periodic benefit expense/(income) from a settlement, gross amount     0 [4] 148 [4]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Real Estate And Other Net [Member] | SPG [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), gross amount   0 (24) (270)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Real Estate And Other Net [Member] | CBL [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification adjustment for (gain)/loss on REITs included in net income/(loss), gross amount   0 0 (15)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Income Tax Expense Benefit [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Tax (expense)/benefit   0 8 101
Tax (expense)/benefit   (25) (67) (144)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Restructuring and Management Transition [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Reclassification for amortization of prior service (credit)/cost   0 0 (5)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Amortization of actuarial (gain)/loss   (1) [4] (1) [4] (1) [4]
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)   (8) [4] (8) [4] (14) [4]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Total Amortization Of Retirement Benefit Plans Net Of Tax [Member]        
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]        
Other comprehensive income/(loss)   $ 64 $ 107 $ 228
[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 (Note 16).
[2] When assessing valuation allowance needs, accounting standards require us to record in other comprehensive income/(loss) the tax expense on other comprehensive income and a corresponding tax benefit in operations (Note 17).
[3] In accordance with accounting standards, we are required to allocate a portion of our tax provision between operating income/(loss) and other comprehensive income/(loss).
[4] These accumulated other comprehensive components are included in the computation of net periodic benefits expense/(income). See Note 14 for additional details.