Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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 and 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023 and July 30, 2022, 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	Seasonality Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 and 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023 and July 30, 2022 (which do not include the holiday season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications were made to prior years' amounts to conform with the classifications of such amounts in the most recent years.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive IncomeTotal 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 and 26 weeks ended July 29, 2023 and July 30, 2022 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2022-04, Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations (ASU 2022-04), which requires entities to disclose the key terms of supplier finance programs they use in connection with the purchase of goods and services, along with the amount of obligations outstanding at the end of each period and an annual rollforward of such obligations. ASU 2022-04 became effective for the Company beginning in 2023. The Company adopted ASU 2022-04 in the first quarter of 2023, with the exception of the rollforward information, which will be reflected in the fourth quarter, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue	Retail Sales Retail sales include merchandise sales, inclusive of delivery income, licensed department income, sales of private brand goods directly to third-party retailers and sales of excess inventory to third parties. Sales of merchandise are recorded at point of sale for in-store purchases or the time of shipment to the customer for digital purchases and are reported net of estimated merchandise returns and certain customer incentives. Commissions earned on sales generated by licensed departments are included as a component of total net sales and are recognized as revenue at the time merchandise is sold to customers. Service revenues (e.g., alteration and cosmetic services) are recorded at the time the customer receives the benefit of the service. The Company has elected to present sales taxes on a net basis and sales taxes are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities until remitted to the taxing authorities. Merchandise Returns The Company estimates merchandise returns using historical data and recognizes an allowance that reduces net sales and cost of sales. The liability for merchandise returns is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $148 million, $236 million and $186 million as of July 29, 2023, January 28, 2023 and July 30, 2022, respectively. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets is an asset totaling $94 million, $152 million and $112 million as of July 29, 2023, January 28, 2023 and July 30, 2022, respectively, for the recoverable cost of merchandise estimated to be returned by customers. Gift Cards and Customer Loyalty Programs The Company only offers no-fee, non-expiring gift cards to its customers. At the time gift cards are sold or issued, no revenue is recognized; rather, the Company records an accrued liability to customers. The liability is relieved, and revenue is recognized, equal to the amount redeemed at the time gift cards are redeemed for merchandise. The Company records revenue from unredeemed gift cards (breakage) in net sales on a pro-rata basis over the time period gift cards are actually redeemed. At least three years of historical data, updated annually, is used to determine actual redemption patterns. The Company maintains customer loyalty programs in which customers earn points based on their purchases. Under the Macy’s Star Rewards loyalty program, points are earned based on customers’ spending on Macy’s private label and co-branded credit cards as well as non-proprietary cards and other forms of tender. Bloomingdale’s Loyallist and Bluemercury BlueRewards programs provide tender neutral points-based programs to their customers. The Company recognizes the estimated net amount of the rewards that will be earned and redeemed as a reduction to net sales at the time of the initial transaction and as tender when the points are subsequently redeemed by a customer. The liability for unredeemed gift cards and customer loyalty programs is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $340 million, $399 million and $386 million as of July 29, 2023, January 28, 2023 and July 30, 2022, respectively. Credit Card Revenues In 2005, in connection with the sale of most of the Company's credit card accounts and related receivable balances to Citibank, the Company and Citibank entered into a long-term marketing and servicing alliance pursuant to the terms of a Credit Card Program Agreement ("Credit Card Program"). Subsequent to this initial arrangement and associated amendments, on December 13, 2021, the Company entered into the sixth amendment to the amended and restated Credit Card Program with Citibank (the "Program Agreement"). The changes to the Credit Card Program's financial structure are not materially different from its previous terms. As part of the Program Agreement, the Company receives payments for providing a combination of interrelated services and intellectual property to Citibank in support of the underlying Credit Card Program. Revenue based on the spending activity of the underlying accounts is recognized as the respective card purchases occur and the Company's profit share is recognized based on the performance of the underlying portfolio. Revenue associated with the establishment of new credit accounts and assisting in the receipt of payments for existing accounts is recognized as such activities occur. Credit card revenues include finance charges, late fees and other revenue generated by the Company’s Credit Card Program, net of fraud losses and expenses associated with establishing new accounts, credit card funding costs and bad debt reserves and are a component of other revenue on the consolidated statements of income. The Program Agreement expires March 31, 2030, subject to an additional renewal term of three years. The Program Agreement provides for, among other things, (i) the ownership by Citibank of the accounts purchased by Citibank, (ii) the ownership by Citibank of new accounts opened by the Company’s customers, (iii) the provision of credit by Citibank to the holders of the credit cards associated with the foregoing accounts, (iv) the servicing of the foregoing accounts, and (v) the allocation between Citibank and the Company of the economic benefits and burdens associated with the foregoing and other aspects of the alliance. Pursuant to the Program Agreement, the Company continues to provide certain servicing functions related to the accounts and related receivables owned by Citibank and receives compensation from Citibank for these services. The amounts earned under the Program Agreement related to the servicing functions are deemed adequate compensation and, accordingly, no servicing asset or liability has been recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.