Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Cover
- Document and Entity Information
Financial Statements
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting Policies
- Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)
Notes Tables
Notes Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Future Estimated Intangible Amortization Expense) (Details)

v2.4.0.6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Future Estimated Intangible Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
2012	$ 37
2013	34
2014	31
2015	21
2016	$ 8

- Details

Name:	m_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	m_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year five of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year four of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year one of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year three of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year two of the five succeeding fiscal years.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration