Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 850	$ 805	$ 448
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization of Long-lived Assets	391	394	393
Amortization of Landlord Allowances	(35)	(35)	(36)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment Charges	232	6	3
Deferred Income Taxes	(37)	(24)	49
Share-based Compensation Expense	51	64	40
Excess Tax Benefits From Share-based Compensation	(48)	(19)	0
Contribution of Express Common Stock to The Limited Brands Foundation	163	0	0
Gain on Contribution of Express Common Stock to The Limited Brands Foundation	(147)	0	0
Gain on Divestiture of Third-party Apparel Sourcing Business	(111)	0	0
Gain on Sale of Express Common Stock	(86)	(45)	0
Gain on Distribution from Express	0	(49)	0
Gain on Express Initial Public Offering	0	(52)	0
Gain on Divestiture of Limited Stores	0	(20)	0
(Gain) Loss on Extinguishment of Debt	0	25	(2)
Net Gain on Joint Venture	0	0	(9)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts Receivable	(152)	(11)	22
Inventories	(27)	9	156
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other	106	112	17
Income Taxes Payable	13	73	44
Other Assets and Liabilities	103	51	49
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	1,266	1,284	1,174
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures	(426)	(274)	(202)
Proceeds from Sale of Assets	(124)	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Express Common Stock	99	73	0
Return of Capital			(32)
Proceeds from Sale of Assets	0	0	32
Proceeds from the Divestiture of Joint Venture	0	0	9
Other Investing Activities	(23)	7	(1)
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	(226)	(106)	(162)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from Long-term Debt, Net of Issuance and Discount Costs	981	390	473
Payments of Long-term Debt	0	(645)	(656)
Financing Costs	(7)	(14)	(19)
Repurchase of Common Stock	(1,190)	(207)	0
Dividends Paid	(1,144)	(1,488)	(193)
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-based Compensation	48	19	0
Proceeds From Exercise of Stock Options and Other	75	88	8
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities	(1,237)	(1,857)	(387)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	2	5	6
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(195)	(674)	631
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	1,130	1,804	1,173
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$ 935	$ 1,130	$ 1,804