TAXES BASED ON INCOME (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 09, 2013	Aug. 17, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Nov. 03, 2012	Aug. 11, 2012	May 25, 2013	May 19, 2012	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Federal
Current									$ 638	$ 563	$ 146
Deferred									81	154	78
Subtotal federal									719	717	224
State and local
Current									42	46	42
Deferred									(10)	31	(19)
Subtotal state and local									32	77	23
Total income tax provision	184	125	176	239	175	148	266	232	751	794	247
Reconciliation of statutory federal rate and effective rate
Statutory rate (as a percent)									35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (as a percent)									0.90%	2.20%	1.80%
Credits (as a percent)									(1.30%)	(1.40%)	(3.60%)
Favorable resolution of issues (as a percent)										(0.50%)	(3.40%)
Domestic manufacturing deduction (as a percent)									(1.10%)	(0.50%)	(1.30%)
Other changes, net (as a percent)									(0.60%)	(0.30%)	0.80%
Total (as a percent)									32.90%	34.50%	29.30%
Before-tax UFCW consolidated pension plan charge											953
After-tax UFCW consolidated pension plan charge											591
Current deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	4			4					4	4
Compensation related costs	103			79					103	79
Other	15								15
Subtotal	122			83					122	83
Valuation allowance	(9)			(4)					(9)	(4)
Total current deferred tax assets	113			79					113	79
Current deferred tax liabilities:
Insurance related costs	(96)			(116)					(96)	(116)
Inventory related costs	(265)			(234)					(265)	(234)
Other				(17)						(17)
Total current deferred tax liabilities	(361)			(367)					(361)	(367)
Current deferred taxes	(248)			(288)					(248)	(288)
Long-term deferred tax assets:
Compensation related costs	464			564					464	564
Lease accounting	115			87					115	87
Closed store reserves	54			56					54	56
Insurance related costs	66			77					66	77
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	103			82					103	82
Other				2						2
Subtotal	802			868					802	868
Valuation allowance	(38)			(28)					(38)	(28)
Total long-term deferred tax assets	764			840					764	840
Long-term deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(2,128)			(1,636)					(2,128)	(1,636)
Other	(17)								(17)
Total long-term deferred tax liabilities	(2,145)			(1,636)					(2,145)	(1,636)
Long-term deferred taxes	(1,381)			(796)					(1,381)	(796)
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating loss carryforwards
Net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax	1,280								1,280
State credit carryforwards	$ 34								$ 34