Fair Values of Canadian Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (Canadian Qualified Pension Plan, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 28, 2012		Jan. 29, 2011
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5		$ 1	[1]
Pension plan assets at fair value	93		90	[1]
Equity Securities | Canadian and International
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	5	[2]	6	[1],[2]
Fixed-income securities | Cash matched bonds
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	83	[3]	83	[1],[3]
Level 2
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	5
Pension plan assets at fair value	93
Level 2 | Equity Securities | Canadian and International
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	5	[2]
Level 2 | Fixed-income securities | Cash matched bonds
Schedule Of Pension And Other Postretirement Plan Assets By Fair Value [Line Items]
Pension plan assets at fair value	$ 83	[3]

[1] Each category of plan assets is classified within the same level of the fair value hierarchy for 2011 and 2010.

[2] In 2011, this category comprises one mutual fund that invests primarily in a diverse portfolio of Canadian securities. In 2010, this category comprised two mutual funds that invested primarily in a diverse portfolio of Canadian and international equity securities.

[3] This category consists of fixed-income securities, including strips and coupons, issued or guaranteed by the Government of Canada, provinces or municipalities of Canada including their agencies and crown corporations, as well as other governmental bonds and corporate bonds.