Taxes (Tax Effects That Give Rise To Significant Portions Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Post employment and postretirement benefits	$ 559	$ 473
Accrued liabilities accounted for on a cash basis for tax purposes	227	195
Long-term debt	109	117
Unrecognized state tax benefits and accrued interest	77	91
State operating loss carryforwards	52	61
Other	155	144
Valuation allowance	(34)	(35)
Total deferred tax assets	1,145	1,046
Deferred tax liabilities:
Excess of book basis over tax basis of property and equipment	(1,733)	(1,793)
Merchandise inventories	(531)	(483)
Intangible assets	(195)	(162)
Other	(235)	(217)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(2,694)	(2,655)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (1,549)	$ (1,609)