Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Options Activity) (Details) (USD $)
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]  
Outstanding stock options, beginning balance 14,029
Stock Options, Granted 2,507 [1]
Stock Options, Exercised 0
Stock Options, Forfeited/canceled (1,961)
Outstanding stock options, ending balance 14,575
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]  
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, beginning balance $ 36
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted $ 8 [1]
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised $ 0
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Forfeited/canceled $ 33
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, ending balance $ 32
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding 4 years 5 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding $ 0 [2]
Stock Options, Exercisable 10,527
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable $ 39
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable 2 years 11 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable $ 0 [2]
[1] All stock options granted during 2014 had a market condition related to achieving and maintaining a 50% or more increase in the Company's stock price over the grant date closing price for 20 consecutive days. The market condition must be met within four years of the grant date.
[2] The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option at year end. As of January 31, 2015, all outstanding stock options had an exercise price above the closing price of JCPenney common stock of $7.27.