Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Federal income tax statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Net change in the valuation allowance	$ (1)	$ 2
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	0
State net operating loss carryforwards	1,079
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	2012 and 2031
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective income tax rate	116	133
Charges to income tax expense for federal, state and local interest and penalties	(2)	5	4
Accrual for payment of federal, state and local interest and penalties	69	80
Amount recognized as liability on balance sheet	179	205	207
Other Liabilities [Member]
Accrual for payment of federal, state and local interest and penalties	60
Current Income Taxes [Member]
Amount recognized as liability on balance sheet	$ 9

The sum of the tax effects as of the balance sheet date of the amount of excesses of tax deductions over gross income in a year which cannot be used on the tax returns in the current year but can be carried forward to reduce taxable income or income taxes payable in a future year, for which there must be sufficient tax-basis income to utilize a portion or all of the carryforward amount to realize the deferred tax asset.

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The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of excess of tax deductions over gross income in a year which cannot be used on the tax return of the country of domicile in the current year but can be carried forward to reduce taxable income or income taxes payable in a future year, for which there must be sufficient tax-basis income to utilize a portion or all of the carryforward amount to realize the deferred tax asset.

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- Definition

The domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the Company's pretax income from continuing operations for the period. The "statutory" tax rate is the regular tax rate if there are alternative tax systems.

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- Definition

This element represents the total of interest expense recognized for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity and the amount of statutory penalties in the period in which the entity claims or expects to claim a tax position, in its tax return, that does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties.

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- Definition

This element represents the amount of interest expense accrued as of the date of the statement of financial position for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of the change in the period in the valuation allowance for a specified deferred tax asset.

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