Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Unaudited Quarterly Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Feb. 03, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	Jan. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Jul. 30, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,666	$ 5,281	$ 5,552	$ 5,338	$ 8,515	$ 5,626	$ 5,866	$ 5,771	$ 24,837	$ 25,778	$ 27,079
Cost of sales	(5,358)	(3,175)	(3,313)	(3,306)	(5,251)	(3,386)	(3,468)	(3,516)	(15,152)	(15,621)	(16,496)
Gross margin	3,308	2,106	2,239	2,032	3,264	2,240	2,398	2,255	9,685	10,157	10,583
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,279)	(1,995)	(1,977)	(1,880)	(2,335)	(2,112)	(2,047)	(1,980)	(8,131)	(8,474)	(8,468)
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	368	65	43	68	133	41	21	14	544	209	212
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges	(152)	(33)	0	0	(230)	0	(249)	0	(186)	(479)	(288)
Settlement charges	(32)	(22)	(51)	0	(17)	(62)	(6)	(13)	(105)	(98)	0
Net income attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 1,325	$ 36	$ 116	$ 71	$ 475	$ 17	$ 11	$ 116	$ 1,547	$ 619	$ 1,072
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 4.34	$ 0.12	$ 0.38	$ 0.23	$ 1.56	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.37	$ 5.07	$ 2.01	$ 3.26
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 4.31	$ 0.12	$ 0.38	$ 0.23	$ 1.54	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.37	$ 5.04	$ 1.99	$ 3.22

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.

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