Segment Information - Net Sales of Similar Products and Services (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 25,587	[1]	$ 17,092	[1]	$ 15,704	[1]	$ 16,070	[1]	$ 21,268	[1]	$ 13,806	[1]	$ 12,834	[1]	$ 13,185	[1]	$ 74,452		$ 61,093		$ 48,077
Media
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																	21,716		19,942		17,779
Electronics and other general merchandise
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																	48,802		38,628		28,712
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales																	$ 3,934	[2]	$ 2,523	[2]	$ 1,586	[2]

[1] The sum of quarterly amounts, including per share amounts, may not equal amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to the effects of rounding and changes in the number of weighted-average shares outstanding for each period.

[2] Includes sales from non-retail activities, such as AWS, advertising services, and our co-branded credit card agreements.