Net Sales by Brand, Region, and Reportable Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012		Jul. 30, 2011		Jul. 28, 2012		Jul. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,575	[1]	$ 3,386	[1]	$ 7,062	[1]	$ 6,681	[1]
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	241		230		464		449
Other Foreign
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	551		515		1,062		969
Stores Reportable Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,191	[1]	3,077	[1]	6,268	[1]	6,024	[1]
Stores Reportable Segment | Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	220	[1]	214	[1]	421	[1]	415	[1]
Stores Reportable Segment | Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	188	[1]	198	[1]	374	[1]	385	[1]
Direct Reportable Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	384	[1],[2]	309	[1],[2]	794	[1],[2]	657	[1],[2]
Direct Reportable Segment | Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	21		16		43		34
Direct Reportable Segment | Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9		8		21		16
Direct Reportable Segment | Canada And Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	30		24		64		50
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	80	[3]	64	[3]	158	[3]	124	[3]
Franchise | Stores Reportable Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	80	[3]	64	[3]	158	[3]	124	[3]
Franchise | Stores Reportable Segment | Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	15	[3]	16	[3]	33	[3]	31	[3]
Gap Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	70		55		139		108
Banana Republic Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 10		$ 9		$ 19		$ 16

[1] Net sales outside of the U.S. and Canada (including Direct and franchise) were $551 million and $515 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively. Net sales outside of the U.S. and Canada (including Direct and franchise) were $1.1 billion and $969 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively.

[2] Online sales shipped from distribution centers located outside the U.S. were $30 million ($21 million for Canada and $9 million for Europe) and $24 million ($16 million for Canada and $8 million for Europe) for the thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively. Online sales shipped from distribution centers located outside the U.S. were $64 million ($43 million for Canada and $21 million for Europe) and $50 million ($34 million for Canada and $16 million for Europe) for the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively.

[3] Franchise sales were $80 million ($70 million for Gap and $10 million for Banana Republic) and $64 million ($55 million for Gap and $9 million for Banana Republic) for the thirteen weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively. Franchise sales were $158 million ($139 million for Gap and $19 million for Banana Republic) and $124 million ($108 million for Gap and $16 million for Banana Republic) for the twenty-six weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively.