Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016	Jul. 29, 2017	Jul. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,552	$ 5,866	$ 10,890	$ 11,637
Cost of sales	(3,313)	(3,468)	(6,619)	(6,984)
Gross margin	2,239	2,398	4,271	4,653
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,977)	(2,047)	(3,857)	(4,027)
Gains on sale of real estate	43	21	111	35
Impairments and other costs	0	(249)	0	(249)
Settlement charges	(51)	(6)	(51)	(19)
Operating income (loss)	254	117	474	393
Interest expense	(82)	(98)	(168)	(197)
Net premiums on early retirement of debt	2	0	(1)	0
Interest income	3	1	5	2
Income (loss) before income taxes	177	20	310	198
Federal, state and local income tax expense	(64)	(11)	(127)	(74)
Net income (loss)	113	9	183	124
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	3	2	4	3
Net income (loss) attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 116	$ 11	$ 187	$ 127
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.38	$ 0.03	$ 0.61	$ 0.41
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.38	$ 0.03	$ 0.61	$ 0.41