Equity Investments and Other	12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Equity Investments and Other	Equity Investments and Other Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business On October 31, 2011, the Company divested 51% of its ownership interest in its third-party apparel sourcing business to affiliates of Sycamore Partners for pre-tax cash proceeds of $124 million. The Company's remaining 49% ownership interest is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The proceeds are included in Proceeds from Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business within the Investing Activities section on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of $111 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 which is included in Gain on Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company is providing support in various operational areas including logistics, technology and financial services. The terms of these transition services arrangements vary and range from two months to three years. The Company is accounting for its remaining interest in the third-party apparel sourcing business using the equity method. The Company's carrying value for this investment was $72 million as of January 28, 2012. Express In July 2007, the Company completed the divestiture of 75% of its ownership interest in Express. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company and Express entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company provided support to Express in various operational areas including logistics, technology and merchandise sourcing. The terms of these transition services arrangements varied and ranged from three months to three years. In October 2009, the Company entered into new agreements with Express whereby the Company will continue to provide logistics services and lease office space. The Company's third-party apparel sourcing business, which the Company divested in the fourth quarter of 2011, also continues to provide merchandise sourcing services to Express. The Company recognized merchandise sourcing revenue from Express of $325 million in 2011, $384 million in 2010 and $344 million in 2009. These amounts are net of the elimination of merchandise sourcing revenue equal to the Company’s ownership percentage through the second quarter of 2010. The Company’s accounts receivable from Express for merchandise sourcing and other services totaled $74 million as of January 29, 2011. In March 2010, Express completed a cash distribution to its owners and the Company received $57 million. The Company’s portion representing a return on capital was $8 million and is included in Other Assets and Liabilities within the Operating Activities section of the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining portion representing a return of capital is $49 million and is included in Return of Capital from Express within the Investing Activities section of the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The proceeds received from the cash distribution were in excess of the Company’s carrying value of the investment in Express. As a result, the carrying value was reduced to zero as of the date of the cash distribution and a pre-tax gain of $49 million was recorded. The pre-tax gain is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. On May 13, 2010, Express completed an IPO and the Company sold 1.3 million shares of its common stock in Express for $20 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was diluted from 25% to 18% and the carrying value of the Company’s remaining investment was increased to reflect the proportional impact of the IPO. As a result of these events, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $52 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. Based on the Company’s reduced ownership in Express, the resulting loss of contractual rights and the resignation of the Company’s seats on Express’ Board of Directors in August 2010, the Company concluded that it was no longer appropriate to account for its investment in Express using the equity method of accounting. At the beginning of the third quarter of 2010, the Company commenced accounting for its investment in Express using the cost method of accounting. As a result of the accounting change, the Company ceased recording equity income (loss) from Express in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Company also began recognizing 100% of merchandise sourcing sales to Express. On December 15, 2010, Express completed a secondary offering and the Company sold an additional 3.6 million shares of its common stock in Express for $52 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was diluted from 18% to 14% and the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $45 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. Express also completed a cash dividend to its owners in December 2010 and the Company received $7 million. As a result of the dividend, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $7 million, which is also included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. On April 12, 2011, the Company sold 5.5 million shares of its common stock in Express for $99 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was reduced from 14% to 8% and the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $86 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. On April 21, 2011, the Company formally renounced its rights to its Express Board of Directors’ seat. As a result, the Company commenced accounting for its investment in Express using the available-for-sale method of accounting in the first quarter of 2011. In July 2011, the Company contributed all of its remaining 7.2 million shares of Express, valued at $163 million, to The Limited Brands Foundation. As a result, the Company recognized contribution expense in 2011 of $163 million which is included in General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company also recognized a non-taxable gain of $147 million representing the difference between the market value of the Express shares on the date of the contribution and the Company’s net carrying value. The gain is included in Other Income on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company’s investment carrying value under the cost method of accounting was $29 million as of January 29, 2011 and is included in Other Assets on the 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Limited Stores In August 2007, the Company completed the divestiture of 75% of its ownership interest in Limited Stores. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company and Limited Stores entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company provided support to Limited Stores in various operational areas including logistics, technology and merchandise sourcing. The terms of these transition services arrangements varied and ranged from three months to three years. In June 2010, the Company entered into a new agreement with Limited Stores whereby the Company will continue to provide logistics services. The Company's third-party apparel sourcing business, which the Company divested in the fourth quarter of 2011, continues to provide merchandise sourcing services to Limited Stores. The Company recognized merchandise sourcing revenue from Limited Stores of $83 million in 2011, $62 million in 2010 and $58 million in 2009. The amounts are net of the elimination of merchandise sourcing revenue equal to the Company’s ownership percentage. The Company’s accounts receivable from Limited Stores for merchandise sourcing and other services totaled $9 million as of January 29, 2011. In February 2010, Limited Stores completed a cash distribution to its owners and the Company received $7 million. The proceeds received from the cash dividend reduced the Company’s carrying value of the investment in Limited Stores. The distribution represented a return of capital and is included in Return of Capital from Limited Stores within the Investing Activities section on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In June 2010, the Company completed the divestiture of its remaining 25% ownership interest in Limited Stores and resigned its seats on Limited Stores’ Board of Directors. The Company received pre-tax net cash proceeds of $32 million from the divestiture which are included in Proceeds from Divestiture of Limited Stores within the Investing Activities section on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of $20 million. The pre-tax gain is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company ceased recording equity income (loss) from Limited Stores in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income, and the Company began recognizing 100% of merchandise sourcing sales to Limited Stores following the divestiture. Easton Investment The Company has land and other investments in Easton, a 1,300 acre planned community in Columbus, Ohio that integrates office, hotel, retail, residential and recreational space. These investments, at cost, totaled $70 million as of January 28, 2012 and $69 million as of January 29, 2011 and are recorded in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in the Company’s Easton investments is an equity interest in Easton Town Center, LLC (“ETC”), an entity that owns and has developed a commercial entertainment and shopping center. The Company’s investment in ETC is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company has a majority financial interest in ETC, but another unaffiliated member manages ETC. Certain significant decisions regarding ETC require the consent of unaffiliated members in addition to the Company. Other In April 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $19 million related to an unconsolidated joint venture accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The charge consisted of writing down the investment balance, reserving certain accounts and notes receivable and accruing a contractual liability. In July 2009, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $9 million associated with the reversal of the accrued contractual liability as a result of the divestiture of the joint venture. The pre-tax gain is included in Net Gain on Joint Venture on the 2009 Consolidated Statement of Income.

Equity Investments and Other

Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business

On October 31, 2011, the Company divested 51% of its ownership interest in its third-party apparel sourcing business to affiliates of Sycamore Partners for pre-tax cash proceeds of $124 million. The Company's remaining 49% ownership interest is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The proceeds are included in Proceeds from Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business within the Investing Activities section on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of $111 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 which is included in Gain on Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income.

In conjunction with the transaction, the Company entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company is providing support in various operational areas including logistics, technology and financial services. The terms of these transition services arrangements vary and range from two months to three years.

The Company is accounting for its remaining interest in the third-party apparel sourcing business using the equity method. The Company's carrying value for this investment was $72 million as of January 28, 2012.

Express

In July 2007, the Company completed the divestiture of 75% of its ownership interest in Express. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company and Express entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company provided support to Express in various operational areas including logistics, technology and merchandise sourcing. The terms of these transition services arrangements varied and ranged from three months to three years.

In October 2009, the Company entered into new agreements with Express whereby the Company will continue to provide logistics services and lease office space. The Company's third-party apparel sourcing business, which the Company divested in the fourth quarter of 2011, also continues to provide merchandise sourcing services to Express.

The Company recognized merchandise sourcing revenue from Express of $325 million in 2011, $384 million in 2010 and $344 million in 2009. These amounts are net of the elimination of merchandise sourcing revenue equal to the Company’s ownership percentage through the second quarter of 2010. The Company’s accounts receivable from Express for merchandise sourcing and other services totaled $74 million as of January 29, 2011.

In March 2010, Express completed a cash distribution to its owners and the Company received $57 million. The Company’s portion representing a return on capital was $8 million and is included in Other Assets and Liabilities within the Operating Activities section of the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining portion representing a return of capital is $49 million and is included in Return of Capital from Express within the Investing Activities section of the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The proceeds received from the cash distribution were in excess of the Company’s carrying value of the investment in Express. As a result, the carrying value was reduced to zero as of the date of the cash distribution and a pre-tax gain of $49 million was recorded. The pre-tax gain is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income.

On May 13, 2010, Express completed an IPO and the Company sold 1.3 million shares of its common stock in Express for $20 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was diluted from 25% to 18% and the carrying value of the Company’s remaining investment was increased to reflect the proportional impact of the IPO. As a result of these events, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $52 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income.

Based on the Company’s reduced ownership in Express, the resulting loss of contractual rights and the resignation of the Company’s seats on Express’ Board of Directors in August 2010, the Company concluded that it was no longer appropriate to account for its investment in Express using the equity method of accounting. At the beginning of the third quarter of 2010, the Company commenced accounting for its investment in Express using the cost method of accounting. As a result of the accounting change, the Company ceased recording equity income (loss) from Express in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income and the Company also began recognizing 100% of merchandise sourcing sales to Express.

On December 15, 2010, Express completed a secondary offering and the Company sold an additional 3.6 million shares of its common stock in Express for $52 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was diluted from 18% to 14% and the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $45 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. Express also completed a cash dividend to its owners in December 2010 and the Company received $7 million. As a result of the dividend, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $7 million, which is also included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income.

On April 12, 2011, the Company sold 5.5 million shares of its common stock in Express for $99 million. As a result, the Company’s ownership interest was reduced from 14% to 8% and the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $86 million, which is included in Other Income on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. On April 21, 2011, the Company formally renounced its rights to its Express Board of Directors’ seat. As a result, the Company commenced accounting for its investment in Express using the available-for-sale method of accounting in the first quarter of 2011.

In July 2011, the Company contributed all of its remaining 7.2 million shares of Express, valued at $163 million, to The Limited Brands Foundation. As a result, the Company recognized contribution expense in 2011 of $163 million which is included in General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company also recognized a non-taxable gain of $147 million representing the difference between the market value of the Express shares on the date of the contribution and the Company’s net carrying value. The gain is included in Other Income on the 2011 Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company’s investment carrying value under the cost method of accounting was $29 million as of January 29, 2011 and is included in Other Assets on the 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Limited Stores

In August 2007, the Company completed the divestiture of 75% of its ownership interest in Limited Stores. In conjunction with the transaction, the Company and Limited Stores entered into transition services agreements whereby the Company provided support to Limited Stores in various operational areas including logistics, technology and merchandise sourcing. The terms of these transition services arrangements varied and ranged from three months to three years.

In June 2010, the Company entered into a new agreement with Limited Stores whereby the Company will continue to provide logistics services. The Company's third-party apparel sourcing business, which the Company divested in the fourth quarter of 2011, continues to provide merchandise sourcing services to Limited Stores.

The Company recognized merchandise sourcing revenue from Limited Stores of $83 million in 2011, $62 million in 2010 and $58 million in 2009. The amounts are net of the elimination of merchandise sourcing revenue equal to the Company’s ownership percentage. The Company’s accounts receivable from Limited Stores for merchandise sourcing and other services totaled $9 million as of January 29, 2011.

In February 2010, Limited Stores completed a cash distribution to its owners and the Company received $7 million. The proceeds received from the cash dividend reduced the Company’s carrying value of the investment in Limited Stores. The distribution represented a return of capital and is included in Return of Capital from Limited Stores within the Investing Activities section on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In June 2010, the Company completed the divestiture of its remaining 25% ownership interest in Limited Stores and resigned its seats on Limited Stores’ Board of Directors. The Company received pre-tax net cash proceeds of $32 million from the divestiture which are included in Proceeds from Divestiture of Limited Stores within the Investing Activities section on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of $20 million. The pre-tax gain is included in Other Income on the 2010 Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company ceased recording equity income (loss) from Limited Stores in Other Income on the Consolidated Statement of Income, and the Company began recognizing 100% of merchandise sourcing sales to Limited Stores following the divestiture.

Easton Investment

The Company has land and other investments in Easton, a 1,300 acre planned community in Columbus, Ohio that integrates office, hotel, retail, residential and recreational space. These investments, at cost, totaled $70 million as of January 28, 2012 and $69 million as of January 29, 2011 and are recorded in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Included in the Company’s Easton investments is an equity interest in Easton Town Center, LLC (“ETC”), an entity that owns and has developed a commercial entertainment and shopping center. The Company’s investment in ETC is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company has a majority financial interest in ETC, but another unaffiliated member manages ETC. Certain significant decisions regarding ETC require the consent of unaffiliated members in addition to the Company.

Other

In April 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $19 million related to an unconsolidated joint venture accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The charge consisted of writing down the investment balance, reserving certain accounts and notes receivable and accruing a contractual liability. In July 2009, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $9 million associated with the reversal of the accrued contractual liability as a result of the divestiture of the joint venture. The pre-tax gain is included in Net Gain on Joint Venture on the 2009 Consolidated Statement of Income.