Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,866	$ 6,104	$ 11,637	$ 12,336
Cost of sales	(3,468)	(3,610)	(6,984)	(7,410)
Gross margin	2,398	2,494	4,653	4,926
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,026)	(2,058)	(3,992)	(4,081)
Impairments and other costs	(249)	0	(249)	0
Settlement charges	(6)	0	(19)	0
Operating income (loss)	117	436	393	845
Interest expense	(98)	(94)	(197)	(189)
Interest income	1	1	2	1
Income (loss) before income taxes	20	343	198	657
Federal, state and local income tax expense	(11)	(126)	(74)	(247)
Net income (loss)	9	217	124	410
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	0	3	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 11	$ 217	$ 127	$ 410
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.03	$ 0.65	$ 0.41	$ 1.21
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.03	$ 0.64	$ 0.41	$ 1.19

The amount of asset impairments and other costs

No definition available.

Name:	m_Impairmentsandothercosts
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.