Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012		Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 10,364		$ 9,613	$ 8,632
Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy	(6,307)		(5,982)	(5,604)
Gross Profit	4,057		3,631	3,028
General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses	(2,698)		(2,341)	(2,166)
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	(232)		(6)	(3)
Gain on Divestiture of Third-Party Apparel Sourcing Business	111		0	0
Net Gain on Joint Venture	0		0	9
Operating Income	1,238	[1]	1,284	868	[1]
Interest Expense	(246)		(208)	(237)
Other Income	235		175	19
Income Before Income Taxes	1,227		1,251	650
Provision for Income Taxes	377		446	202
Net Income Attributable to Limited Brands, Inc.	$ 850		$ 805	$ 448
Net Income Attributable to Limited Brands, Inc. Per Basic Share	$ 2.80		$ 2.49	$ 1.39
Net Income Attributable to Limited Brands, Inc. Per Diluted Share	$ 2.70		$ 2.42	$ 1.37

[1] Operating Loss for the Other segment includes the effect of the following items:(i)In 2011, a $232 million impairment charge related to goodwill and other intangible assets for our La Senza business; a $111 million gain related to the divestiture of 51% of our third-party apparel sourcing business; $163 million of expense related to the charitable contribution of our remaining shares of Express, Inc. to The Limited Brands Foundation; and $24 million of restructuring expenses at La Senza. (ii)In 2009, a $9 million pre-tax gain, $14 million net of related tax benefits, associated with the reversal of an accrued contractual liability as a result of the divestiture of a joint venture.