ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Nov. 05, 2011	Aug. 13, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Nov. 06, 2010	Aug. 14, 2010	May 21, 2011	May 22, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012 segment	Jan. 29, 2011 segment	Jan. 30, 2010 segment
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue	$ 21,406	$ 20,594	$ 20,913	$ 19,884	$ 18,667	$ 18,760	$ 27,461	$ 24,738	$ 90,374	$ 82,049	$ 76,609
Percentage of total sales									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Company's retail operations (in percent)									99.00%
Number of segments									1	1	1
Non Perishable
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									46,494	44,615	43,320
Percentage of total sales									51.40%	54.40%	56.50%
Perishable
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									18,693	17,532	16,544
Percentage of total sales									20.70%	21.40%	21.60%
Fuel
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									16,901	12,081	8,943
Percentage of total sales									18.70%	14.70%	11.70%
Pharmacy
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									7,322	6,929	6,885
Percentage of total sales									8.10%	8.40%	9.00%
Other
Segments
Total Sales and other revenue									$ 964	$ 892	$ 917
Percentage of total sales									1.10%	1.10%	1.20%