Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Aug. 05, 2011 February 2010 Repurchase Program	Feb. 22, 2010 February 2010 Repurchase Program Maximum	Feb. 25, 2011 Macy's	Jun. 12, 2012 December 2011 Repurchase Program	Dec. 19, 2011 December 2011 Repurchase Program Maximum	Dec. 19, 2011 August 2011 Repurchase Program	Aug. 09, 2011 August 2011 Repurchase Program Maximum
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Common stock authorized for repurchase			$ 50,000,000			$ 20,000,000		$ 20,000,000
Shares of common stock repurchased				3,700,000	2,200,000		2,400,000
Repurchase of common stock	18,936,000			37,700,000	20,000,000		20,000,000
Shares of common stock repurchased, average cost of common stock				$ 10.26	$ 8.94		$ 8.34
Percentage of shares repurchased to outstanding common stock as of beginning of year		3.70%		10.70%	6.50%		7.00%
Common stock repurchased and retired, shares		1,200,000
Common stock repurchased and retired, average cost per share		$ 9.78
Repurchase of common stock		$ 12,300,000