Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,338	$ 5,771
Cost of sales	(3,306)	(3,516)
Gross margin	2,032	2,255
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,812)	(1,966)
Settlement charges	0	(13)
Operating income (loss)	220	276
Interest expense	(86)	(99)
Premiums on early retirement of debt	(3)	0
Interest income	2	1
Income (loss) before income taxes	133	178
Federal, state and local income tax expense	(63)	(63)
Net income (loss)	70	115
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	1
Net income (loss) attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 71	$ 116
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.37
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.23	$ 0.37