Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 753,000,000	$ 850,000,000	$ 805,000,000
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization of Long-lived Assets	389,000,000	391,000,000	394,000,000
Amortization of Landlord Allowances	(35,000,000)	(35,000,000)	(35,000,000)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment Charges	93,000,000	232,000,000	6,000,000
Deferred Income Taxes	11,000,000	(37,000,000)	(24,000,000)
Share-based Compensation Expense	73,000,000	51,000,000	64,000,000
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-based Compensation	(116,000,000)	(48,000,000)	(19,000,000)
Gain on Distributions from Easton Investments	(13,000,000)	0	0
Gain on Sale of Assets	(3,000,000)	0	0
Long-lived Store Asset Impairment Charges	27,000,000	0	0
Expense related to Contribution of Express Common Stock to The Limited Brands Foundation	0	163,000,000	0
Gain on Contribution of Express Common Stock to The Limited Brands Foundation	0	(147,000,000)	0
Gain on Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business	0	(111,000,000)	0
Gain on Sale of Express Common Stock	0	(86,000,000)	(45,000,000)
Gain on Distribution from Express	0	0	(49,000,000)
Gain on Express Initial Public Offering	0	0	(52,000,000)
Gain on Divestiture of Limited Stores	0	0	(20,000,000)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	0	0	25,000,000
Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Net of Assets and Liabilities related to Divestitures:
Accounts Receivable	5,000,000	(152,000,000)	(11,000,000)
Inventories	(7,000,000)	(27,000,000)	9,000,000
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other	(43,000,000)	106,000,000	112,000,000
Income Taxes Payable	139,000,000	13,000,000	73,000,000
Other Assets and Liabilities	78,000,000	103,000,000	51,000,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	1,351,000,000	1,266,000,000	1,284,000,000
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures	(588,000,000)	(426,000,000)	(274,000,000)
Proceeds from Divestiture	0	124,000,000	0
Proceeds from Sale of Express Common Stock	0	99,000,000	73,000,000
Proceeds from Sale of Assets	11,000,000	0	0
Other Investing Activities	11,000,000	(23,000,000)	7,000,000
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities	(531,000,000)	(226,000,000)	(106,000,000)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from Long-term Debt, Net of Issuance Costs	985,000,000	981,000,000	390,000,000
Payments of Long-term Debt	(57,000,000)	0	(645,000,000)
Financing Costs	0	(7,000,000)	(14,000,000)
Repurchase of Common Stock	(629,000,000)	(1,190,000,000)	(207,000,000)
Dividends Paid	(1,449,000,000)	(1,144,000,000)	(1,488,000,000)
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-based Compensation	116,000,000	48,000,000	19,000,000
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options and Other	52,000,000	75,000,000	88,000,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(982,000,000)	(1,237,000,000)	(1,857,000,000)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	0	2,000,000	5,000,000
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(162,000,000)	(195,000,000)	(674,000,000)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$ 773,000,000	$ 935,000,000	$ 1,130,000,000