Taxes (Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Taxes Payable [Abstract]
Current federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ 519	$ 217	$ 48
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)	144	234	84
Federal income tax expense (benefit), total	663	451	132
Current state and local income tax expense (benefit)	43	12	9
Deferred state and local income tax expense (benefit)	6	10	37
State and local income tax expense (benefit), total	49	22	46
Current income tax expense (benefit), total	562	229	57
Deferred income tax expense, total	150	244	121
Income tax expense (benefit), total	$ 712	$ 473	$ 178