Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2018	Jul. 29, 2017	Aug. 04, 2018	Jul. 29, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,572	$ 5,636	$ 11,112	$ 10,986
Net Earnings from Credit Operations	186	167	343	328
Cost of sales	(3,320)	(3,403)	(6,701)	(6,706)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,164)	(2,161)	(4,247)	(4,218)
Gains on sale of real estate	46	43	70	111
Impairments and other costs	(17)	0	(36)	0
Operating income (loss)	303	282	541	501
Non-Service Cost Pension, SERP and OPEB	11	14	22	27
Settlement charges	(50)	(51)	(50)	(51)
Interest expense	(69)	(82)	(140)	(168)
Gain (loss) on early retirement of debt	(5)	2	(5)	(1)
Interest income	7	3	12	5
Income (loss) before income taxes	197	168	380	313
Federal, state and local income tax expense	(33)	(60)	(84)	(128)
Net income (loss)	164	108	296	185
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	2	3	10	4
Net income (loss) attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 166	$ 111	$ 306	$ 189
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.54	$ 0.36	$ 0.99	$ 0.62
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.53	$ 0.36	$ 0.98	$ 0.62