v2.4.0.6
Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 4 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012
Oct. 29, 2011
Jul. 30, 2011
Apr. 30, 2011
Jan. 29, 2011
Oct. 30, 2010
Jul. 31, 2010
May 01, 2010
Jan. 28, 2012
Jan. 29, 2011
Jan. 30, 2010
Jan. 29, 2011
U.S. Retail
Jan. 28, 2012
U.S. Retail
Jan. 29, 2011
U.S. Retail
Jan. 30, 2010
U.S. Retail
Jan. 28, 2012
U.S. Credit Card
Jan. 29, 2011
U.S. Credit Card
Jan. 30, 2010
U.S. Credit Card
Jan. 28, 2012
Canadian
Jan. 28, 2012
Unallocated (income) and expenses
Jan. 29, 2011
Unallocated (income) and expenses
Jan. 30, 2010
Unallocated (income) and expenses
Segment Reporting Information                                            
Sales/Credit card revenues $ 21,288 $ 16,402 $ 16,240 $ 15,935 $ 20,661 $ 15,605 $ 15,532 $ 15,593 $ 69,865 $ 67,390 $ 65,357   $ 68,466 $ 65,786 $ 63,435 $ 1,399 $ 1,604 $ 1,922        
Cost of sales 14,986 11,165 10,872 10,838 14,458 10,562 10,293 10,412 47,860 45,725 44,062   47,860 45,725 44,062              
Bad debt expense                 154 528 1,185         154 528 1,185        
Selling, general and administrative/Operations and marketing expenses                 14,398 13,801 13,414   13,774 13,367 12,989 550 433 425 74      
Depreciation and amortization 564 546 509 512 538 533 496 516 2,131 2,084 2,023   2,067 2,065 2,008 17 19 14 48      
Earnings before interest expense and income taxes 1,700 1,057 1,300 1,264 1,778 967 1,266 1,242 5,322 5,252 4,673   4,765 4,629 4,376 678 624 298 (122)      
Interest expense on nonrecourse debt collateralized by credit card receivables 17 18 18 19 19 20 21 23 72 83 97         72 83 97        
Segment profit/(loss)                 5,250 5,169 4,576   4,765 4,629 4,376 606 541 201 (122)      
Unallocated (income)/expense                                            
Other interest expense 276 184 174 164 172 175 165 165 797 677 707                 797 677 707
Interest income (1) (2) (1)   (1) (1) (1) (1) (3) (3) (3)                 (3) (3) (3)
Earnings before income taxes 1,408 857 1,109 1,081 1,588 773 1,081 1,055 4,456 4,495 3,872                      
REDcard Rewards program discount (as a percent)                       5.00%                    
Intersegment expense (credit) related to reimbursements under the REDcard rewards program                         $ 258 $ 102 $ 89 $ 258 $ 102 $ 89