Document and Entity Information (USD $) Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Mar. 13, 2013	Jul. 27, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SAKS INCORPORATED
Entity Central Index Key	0000812900
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		150,196,130
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Public Float			$ 1,598,245,226
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes