Common stock sold

No definition available.

Name:	ltd_CommonStockSold
Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contribution of shares

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cost method ownership percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations that constitute a return of investment; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that are classified as operating activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Divested Remaining Ownership Percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gain on Divestiture of Ownership Interests.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gain on Express Initial Public Offering.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ltd_GainOnEquityAffiliateInitialPublicOffering
Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Non Taxable Gain From Contribution Of Shares To Foundation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Ownership Interest After Initial Public Offering

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Ownership Interest In Business Sold

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Shares of common stock sold in secondary offering

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares of stock issued in an initial public offering.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ltd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Value of all classes of common stock held by shareholders. May be all or portion of the number of common shares authorized. These shares exclude common shares repurchased by the entity and held as treasury shares.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Pretax gain (loss), not previously recognized and resulting from the sale of a business component, which is recognized at the date of sale. A gain (loss) reflects the amount by which the consideration received exceeds (is exceeded by) the net carrying amount (reflecting previous provisions for loss on disposal, if any) of the disposal group.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6903542&loc=d3e32014-111567

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

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- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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Divestitures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	May 13, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010	Oct. 31, 2011 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Jan. 28, 2012 Third Party Sourcing Business [Member]	Apr. 12, 2011 Express [Member]	Jul. 29, 2011 Express [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Express [Member]	May 14, 2010 Express [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Express [Member]	May 13, 2010 Express [Member]	Jul. 31, 2007 Express [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Feb. 28, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Jun. 10, 2010 Limited Stores [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Limited Stores [Member]
Ownership Interest In Business Sold						51.00%
Pre tax net cash proceeds from divestitures			$ 0	$ 0	$ 9	$ 124
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax		111	111	0	0		111
Equity method investment ownership percentage divested															25.00%		75.00%			25.00%	25.00%	75.00%
Stock Issued During Period Shares Initial Public Offering																1.3
Common stock sold								99								20
Ownership Interest After Initial Public Offering	18.00%									14.00%				18.00%
Gain on Equity Affiliate Initial Public Offering			0	52	0					7	52
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		296.0	296.0	329.0						3.6
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding										52
Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Return Of Capital								86		45			49						7
Shares Of Common Stock Sold In Secondary Offering								5.5
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage								8.00%	0.00%
Contribution Of Shares									7.2
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure															163
Non Taxable Gain From Contribution Of Shares To Foundation									147
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments																		32
Pre-tax gain from sale of divestitures			$ 0	$ 20	$ 0							$ 45						$ 20