Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2019	Aug. 04, 2018	Aug. 03, 2019	Aug. 04, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,546	$ 5,572	$ 11,050	$ 11,112
Credit card revenues, net	176	186	348	343
Cost of sales	(3,395)	(3,320)	(6,798)	(6,701)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(2,177)	(2,164)	(4,287)	(4,247)
Gains on sale of real estate	7	46	49	70
Impairment and other costs	(2)	(17)	(3)	(36)
Operating income	155	303	359	541
Benefit plan income, net	8	11	15	22
Settlement charges	0	(50)	0	(50)
Interest expense	(52)	(69)	(106)	(140)
Loss on early retirement of debt	0	(5)	0	(5)
Interest income	5	7	12	12
Income before income taxes	116	197	280	380
Federal, state and local income tax expense	(30)	(33)	(57)	(84)
Net income	86	164	223	296
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	2	0	10
Net income attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 86	$ 166	$ 223	$ 306
Basic earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.28	$ 0.54	$ 0.72	$ 0.99
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.28	$ 0.53	$ 0.71	$ 0.98