Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
May 04, 2013
Line of Credit Facility, amount borrowed $ 850
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description The borrowing bears interest at a base rate (as defined in the 2013 Credit Facility) plus a spread of 2.0% per annum and has a maturity date of April 4, 2014.
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity 1,850
Line of credit facility, maturity date Apr. 04, 2014
Line of Credit Facility, Revolving Credit, Description On February 8, 2013, J. C. Penney Company, Inc., JCP and J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation (Purchasing) entered into an amended and restated revolving credit agreement in the amount up to $1,850 million (2013 Credit Facility), which replaces the Company's prior credit agreement entered into in January 2012, with largely the same syndicate of lenders under the previous agreement, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The 2013 Credit Facility matures on April 29, 2016, increases the letter of credit sublimit to $750 million from $500 million and provides an accordion feature that could potentially increase the size of the facility by an additional amount not to exceed $400 million. The 2013 Credit Facility is an asset-based revolving credit facility and is secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all of our eligible credit card receivables, accounts receivable and inventory. The 2013 Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of letters of credit. Pricing under the 2013 Credit Facility is tiered based on JCP's senior unsecured long-term credit ratings issued by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. JCP's obligations under the 2013 Credit Facility are guaranteed by J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
Line of Credit Facility, Borrowing Capacity, Description Availability under the 2013 Credit Facility is limited to a borrowing base which allows us to borrow up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus 90% of eligible credit card receivables, plus 85% of the liquidation value of our inventory, net of certain reserves. Letters of credit reduce the amount available to borrow by their face value. In the event that availability under the 2013 Credit Facility is at any time less than the greater of (1) $125 million or (2) 10% of the lesser of the total facility or the borrowing base then in effect, for a period of at least 30 days, the Company will be subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant of 1.0 to 1.0 which is calculated as of the last day of the quarter and measured on a trailing four-quarter basis. As of the end of the first quarter, our fixed charge coverage ratio was below 1.0 to 1.0.
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End 5.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage 0.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity 526
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
  
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End 3.00%
Import Letters of Credit [Member]
  
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End 1.50%
Standby and Import Letter of Credit [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
  
Letters of Credit $ 469