advertising expense as a percent of sales

No definition available.

Name:	m_Advertisingexpenseasapercentofsales
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross expense recognized in the period for promotion, public relation and brand or produce advertising, including amouns received by an entity from a vendor under a cooperative advertising arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total amount received by an entity from a vendor under a cooperative advertising arrangement that has been offset against advertising expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 50
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68069731&loc=d3e63872-111659

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 705
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68067574&loc=SL51760044-203187

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CooperativeAdvertisingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total expense recognized in the period for promotion, public relations, and brand or product advertising.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Advertising expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ 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
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Gross advertising and promotional costs									$ 1,397	$ 1,547	$ 1,587
Cooperative advertising allowances									289	394	414
Advertising and promotional costs, net of cooperative advertising allowances									1,108	1,153	1,173
Net sales	$ 8,666	$ 5,281	$ 5,552	$ 5,338	$ 8,515	$ 5,626	$ 5,866	$ 5,771	$ 24,837	$ 25,778	$ 27,079
Advertising expense as a percent to sales									4.50%	4.50%	4.30%