Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policy)	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2022
Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works" or the "Company") is a specialty retailer of home fragrance, body care and soaps and sanitizer products. Through the Bath & Body Works, White Barn and other brand names, the Company sells merchandise through Company-operated specialty retail stores in the United States of America ("U.S.") and Canada, and through its websites and other channels. The Company's international operations are primarily through franchise, license and wholesale partners. The Company operates as and reports a single segment that includes all of its continuing operations. On August 2, 2021, the Company completed the tax-free spin-off of its Victoria's Secret business, which included the Victoria's Secret and PINK brands, into an independent publicly traded company (the "Separation"). Accordingly, the operating results of, and costs to separate, the Victoria's Secret business are reported in Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented. In addition, the related assets and liabilities are reported as Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All amounts and disclosures included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements reflect only the Company's continuing operations unless otherwise noted. For additional information, see Note 2, "Discontinued Operations."
COVID-19	COVID-19 The coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic has created significant public health concerns as well as economic disruption, uncertainty and volatility. The Company remains focused on providing a safe store environment for its customers and associates while delivering an engaging shopping experience, and in establishing the necessary protocols to ensure the safe operations of its distribution and fulfillment centers and corporate offices. As expected, the Company has experienced channel and product category shifts as customer mindset and needs have shifted coming out of the pandemic. The Company continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on its operations and financial performance. There remains the potential for future COVID-19-related closures or operating restrictions, which could materially impact the Company's operations and financial performance in future periods.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “first quarter of 2022” and “first quarter of 2021” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021, respectively.
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for investments in unconsolidated entities where it exercises significant influence, but does not have control, using the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss. Losses are only recognized to the extent the Company has positive carrying value related to the investee. Carrying values are only reduced below zero if the Company has an obligation to provide funding to the investee. The Company’s share of net income or loss of all unconsolidated entities is included in Other Income (Loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s equity method investments are required to be reviewed for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value.
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.
Seasonality of Business	Seasonality of Business Due to the seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash During 2020, the Company placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for their lending commitments to certain former Victoria's Secret subsidiaries. These deposits totaled $30 million as of May 1, 2021 and were recorded in Other Current Assets on the May 1, 2021 Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the second quarter of 2021, these lending commitments were terminated which released the restrictions on this cash. Accordingly, the balance was reclassified to Cash and Cash Equivalents during the second quarter of 2021.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company's Canadian dollar denominated earnings are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all the merchandise sold in Canada is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate this foreign currency exposure. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale of the hedged merchandise to the customer. These gains and losses are recognized in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income. All designated cash flow hedges are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant for any period presented. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. The Company monitors the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom the Company transacts and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. The Company’s investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits. The Company also periodically reviews the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The Company determines the required allowance for expected credit losses using information such as customer credit history and financial condition. Amounts are recorded to the allowance when it is determined that expected credit losses may occur.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards during the first quarter of 2022 that had a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, as of June 2, 2022, there were no new accounting standards that the Company has not yet adopted that are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Inventory	Inventories are principally valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, on an average cost basis.

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2022

Description Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works" or the "Company") is a specialty retailer of home fragrance, body care and soaps and sanitizer products. Through the Bath & Body Works, White Barn and other brand names, the Company sells merchandise through Company-operated specialty retail stores in the United States of America ("U.S.") and Canada, and through its websites and other channels. The Company's international operations are primarily through franchise, license and wholesale partners. The Company operates as and reports a single segment that includes all of its continuing operations.

On August 2, 2021, the Company completed the tax-free spin-off of its Victoria's Secret business, which included the Victoria's Secret and PINK brands, into an independent publicly traded company (the "Separation"). Accordingly, the operating results of, and costs to separate, the Victoria's Secret business are reported in Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the Consolidated Statements of Income for all periods presented. In addition, the related assets and liabilities are reported as Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All amounts and disclosures included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements reflect only the Company's continuing operations unless otherwise noted. For additional information, see Note 2, "Discontinued Operations."

COVID-19

The coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic has created significant public health concerns as well as economic disruption, uncertainty and volatility. The Company remains focused on providing a safe store environment for its customers and associates while delivering an engaging shopping experience, and in establishing the necessary protocols to ensure the safe operations of its distribution and fulfillment centers and corporate offices. As expected, the Company has experienced channel and product category shifts as customer mindset and needs have shifted coming out of the pandemic.

The Company continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on its operations and financial performance. There remains the potential for future COVID-19-related closures or operating restrictions, which could materially impact the Company's operations and financial performance in future periods.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “first quarter of 2022” and “first quarter of 2021” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021, respectively.

Basis of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company accounts for investments in unconsolidated entities where it exercises significant influence, but does not have control, using the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss. Losses are only recognized to the extent the Company has positive carrying value related to the investee. Carrying values are only reduced below zero if the Company has an obligation to provide funding to the investee. The Company’s share of net income or loss of all unconsolidated entities is included in Other Income (Loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s equity method investments are required to be reviewed for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value.

Interim Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended April 30, 2022 and May 1, 2021 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.

Seasonality of Business

Due to the seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.

Restricted Cash

During 2020, the Company placed cash on deposit with certain financial institutions as collateral for their lending commitments to certain former Victoria's Secret subsidiaries. These deposits totaled $30 million as of May 1, 2021 and were recorded in Other Current Assets on the May 1, 2021 Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the second quarter of 2021, these lending commitments were terminated which released the restrictions on this cash. Accordingly, the balance was reclassified to Cash and Cash Equivalents during the second quarter of 2021.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company's Canadian dollar denominated earnings are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all the merchandise sold in Canada is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate this foreign currency exposure. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale of the hedged merchandise to the customer. These gains and losses are recognized in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income. All designated cash flow hedges are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant for any period presented. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. The Company monitors the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom the Company transacts and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. The Company’s investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits.

The Company also periodically reviews the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The Company determines the required allowance for expected credit losses using information such as customer credit history and financial condition. Amounts are recorded to the allowance when it is determined that expected credit losses may occur.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The Company did not adopt any new accounting standards during the first quarter of 2022 that had a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, as of June 2, 2022, there were no new accounting standards that the Company has not yet adopted that are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Inventory

Inventories are principally valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, on an average cost basis.