Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Aug. 22, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 28, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	SAKS INCORPORATED
Entity Central Index Key	0000812900
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		152,706,491