Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	May 13, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012 Y	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Express [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Express [Member]	Aug. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2007 Express [Member]	Jun. 10, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Limited Stores [Member]
Ownership Interest In Business Sold					51.00%
Diluted ownership interest	18.00%							14.00%		18.00%
Divested remaining ownership percentage											25.00%	75.00%	25.00%	25.00%	75.00%
Merchandise sourcing sales recognition									100.00%				100.00%
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage						8.00%	0.00%
Maturity of short term investments, maximum, in days		90
Outstanding Checks		$ 69	$ 74
Capitalized direct response advertising costs		17	20
Catalogue and advertising expense		474	473	459
Intangible assets estimated useful lives, minimum		3
Intangible assets estimated useful lives, maximum		20
Fixed escalations of minimum rentals and/or rent abatements		113	105
Unamortized portion of landlord allowances		$ 181	$ 193