Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
May 04, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and kids'), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company has stores in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. As of May 4, 2019, the Company's operations were conducted through Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdale's The Outlet, Macy's Backstage and bluemercury. Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Al Zahra, Kuwait are operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC. A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019 (the "2018 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2018 10-K. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts. The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company. Seasonality Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the classifications of such amounts in the most recent years. Comprehensive Income Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. Settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of income before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in benefit plan income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6, "Benefit Plans," for further information. Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, which requires lessees to recognize substantially all leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right of use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard was adopted by the Company on February 3, 2019 utilizing a modified retrospective approach that allowed for transition in the period of adoption. The Company adopted the package of practical expedients available at transition that retained the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the standard. Contracts entered into prior to adoption were not reassessed for leases or embedded leases. Upon adoption, the Company used hindsight in determining lease term and impairment. For lease and non-lease components, the Company has elected to account for both as a single lease component. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of additional net lease assets and lease liabilities of $2,516 million and $2,728 million, respectively, as of February 3, 2019. The difference of $212 million between the additional net lease assets and lease liabilities, net of the deferred tax impact of $54 million, was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings. Prepaid rent, intangible lease assets, finance lease assets, and accrued and deferred rent as of February 3, 2019 were recorded as part of the ROU asset. Finance lease obligations as of February 3, 2019 were recorded as part of the lease liabilities. The standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated net income and had no impact on cash flows.

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and kids'), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company has stores in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. As of May 4, 2019, the Company's operations were conducted through Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdale's The Outlet, Macy's Backstage and bluemercury.

Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Al Zahra, Kuwait are operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC.

A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019 (the "2018 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2018 10-K.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.

Seasonality

Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the classifications of such amounts in the most recent years.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2019 and May 5, 2018 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. Settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of income before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in benefit plan income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6, "Benefit Plans," for further information.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, which requires lessees to recognize substantially all leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right of use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

The new standard was adopted by the Company on February 3, 2019 utilizing a modified retrospective approach that allowed for transition in the period of adoption. The Company adopted the package of practical expedients available at transition that retained the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the standard. Contracts entered into prior to adoption were not reassessed for leases or embedded leases. Upon adoption, the Company used hindsight in determining lease term and impairment. For lease and non-lease components, the Company has elected to account for both as a single lease component.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of additional net lease assets and lease liabilities of $2,516 million and $2,728 million, respectively, as of February 3, 2019. The difference of $212 million between the additional net lease assets and lease liabilities, net of the deferred tax impact of $54 million, was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings. Prepaid rent, intangible lease assets, finance lease assets, and accrued and deferred rent as of February 3, 2019 were recorded as part of the ROU asset. Finance lease obligations as of February 3, 2019 were recorded as part of the lease liabilities. The standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated net income and had no impact on cash flows.