Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Financing (Narrative) (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Financing (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2013
Jan. 28, 2012
Jan. 29, 2011
Jan. 30, 2010
Jan. 28, 2012
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
Other Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
Other Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
7.875% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
7.875% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
3.875% Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Jan. 10, 2012
3.875% Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
3.875% Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
5.125% Senior debentures due 2042 [Member]
Jan. 10, 2012
5.125% Senior debentures due 2042 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
5.125% Senior debentures due 2042 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
5.35% Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 29, 2011
5.35% Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Jan. 28, 2012
Maximum [Member]
Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member]
Feb. 02, 2013
Repayment of Debt [Member]
Feb. 02, 2013
Repayment of Debt [Member]
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Feb. 27, 2012
Repayment of Debt [Member]
8.0% Senior Debentures Due 2012 [Member]
Feb. 02, 2013
Repayment of Debt [Member]
5.35% Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Feb. 27, 2012
Repayment of Debt [Member]
5.35% Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Effective interest rate of debt instrument   8.125% 8.375% 8.875%         7.875%                                  
Decrease in interest payable effective rate   0.25% 0.50%           0.25%                                  
Maximum potential increase in debt interest rate due to potential downgrades   2.00%                                                
Debt instrument, principal outstanding         $ 173 $ 0 $ 34 $ 38 $ 612 [1] $ 612 [1] $ 550   $ 0 $ 250   $ 0 $ 0 $ 173 $ 0 $ 616            
Amount of outstanding debt repaid at maturity   439 226 270                                         616  
Cash paid for repurchase of Company debt     1,067 686                                            
Amount of outstanding debt repurchased before maturity     1,000 680                                            
Additional interest expense from early repurchase of debt   0 66 0                                            
Debt instrument, face amount                       550     250                      
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage                       3.875%     5.125%                 8.00%   5.35%
Interest on debt   (467) (535) (587)                                   4 4      
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity   1,500                                                
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity at Company's option   1,750                                                
Line of credit facility, previous maximum borrowing capacity 2,000                                                  
Stand-by letter of credit facility amount outstanding                                         1          
Interest coverage ratio   7.44                                                
Leverage ratio   2.17                                                
Minimum specified interest coverage ratio in credit agreement   3.25                                                
Maximum specified leverage ratio in credit agreement   3.75                                                
Amount non-recurring cash charges may not exceed in credit agreement   400                                                
Amount of indebtedness due prior to maturity that would result in default under credit agreements   150                                                
Cross Default Provision In Credit Agreement Floor   100                                                
Commercial paper   1,500                                                
Prepaid expenses and other current assets pledged as collateral for debt security   $ 52                                                
[1] The rate of interest payable in respect of these senior notes was increased by one percent per annum to 8.875% in April 2009 as a result of a downgrade of the notes by specified rating agencies, was decreased by 0.50 percent per annum to 8.375% effective in May 2010 as a result of an upgrade of the notes by specified rating agencies, was decreased by 0.25 percent per annum to 8.125% effective in May 2011 as a result of an upgrade of the notes by specified rating agencies, and was decreased by 0.25 percent per annum to 7.875%, its stated interest rate, effective in January 2012 as a result of an upgrade of the notes by specified rating agencies. The rate of interest payable in respect of these senior notes could increase by up to 2.0% per annum from its current level in the event of one or more downgrades of the notes by specified rating agencies.