v2.4.1.9

Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Jan. 31, 2015 | Feb. 01, 2014 | Feb. 02, 2013
Number of hours required for participation in defined benefit and defined contribution plans | 1,000 m_NumberOfHoursRequiredForParticipationInDefinedBenefitAndDefinedContributionPlans |  |
Liability under qualified defined contribution plan | $ 97 m_Liabilityunderqualifieddefinedcontributionplan | $ 25 m_Liabilityunderqualifieddefinedcontributionplan |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Range of restrictions on investment redemption frequency, number of times allowed per year | 2 m_RangeOfRestrictionsOnInvestmentRedemptionFrequencyPerYear / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Range of restrictions on investment redemption frequency, number of times allowed per year | 365 m_RangeOfRestrictionsOnInvestmentRedemptionFrequencyPerYear / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
Retirement 401 (k) |  |  |
Employee retirement plan expense | 89 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_Retirement401KMember | 24 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_Retirement401KMember | 14 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_Retirement401KMember
Employer matching contribution |  |  |
Liability under non-qualified defined contribution plan | 2 m_Liabilityundernonqualifieddefinedcontributionplan / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_EmployermatchingcontributionMember |  |
Contributions by participants |  |  |
Liability under non-qualified defined contribution plan | 4 m_Liabilityundernonqualifieddefinedcontributionplan / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_ContributionsbyparticipantsMember |  |
Non qualified defined contribution plan |  |  |
Employee retirement plan expense | 2 us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_NonqualifieddefinedcontributionplanMember |  |
Investments | 4 us-gaap_Investments / us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanTypeAxis = m_NonqualifieddefinedcontributionplanMember |  |
Executive deferred compensation plan |  |  |
Liability for deferred compensation plan reflected in other liabilities | 42 us-gaap_DeferredCompensationLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_DeferredCompensationExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndRetirementBenefitsMember | 44 us-gaap_DeferredCompensationLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_DeferredCompensationExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndRetirementBenefitsMember |
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit plan | 920 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember | 770 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss | 10 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Company contributions to defined benefit pension plan | 53 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember | 54 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_SupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember |
Pension Plan [Member] |  |  |
Expected long-term return on plan assets | 7.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 7.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 8.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets Decrease for following fiscal year | 7.00%m_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostExpectedLongtermReturnonAssetsDecreaseforfollowingfiscalyear / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation for defined benefit plan | 3,951 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 3,453 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss | 39 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Unfunded commitments to certain of these investments | 115 m_UnfundedCommitmentsRelatedToCertainPensionInvestments / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | 150 m_UnfundedCommitmentsRelatedToCertainPensionInvestments / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Company contributions to defined benefit pension plan | $ 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember | $ 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |
Pension Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Range of investment lock-up period, in years | 2 m_RangeOfInvestmentLockUpPeriod / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |
Range of advance notice requirements for investment redemption, in days | 60 m_RangeOfAdvanceNoticeRequirementsForInvestmentRedemption / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember |  |
Pension Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Range of investment lock-up period, in years | 14 m_RangeOfInvestmentLockUpPeriod / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
Range of advance notice requirements for investment redemption, in days | 90 m_RangeOfAdvanceNoticeRequirementsForInvestmentRedemption / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember |  |
Pension Plan [Member] | Equity securities [Member] |  |  |
Target allocation for equity securities in defined benefit plan | 50.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Pension Plan [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] |  |  |
Target allocation for equity securities in defined benefit plan | 40.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Pension Plan [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] |  |  |
Target allocation for equity securities in defined benefit plan | 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |
Pension Plan [Member] | Private equity [Member] |  |  |
Target allocation for equity securities in defined benefit plan | 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis = us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember |  |

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- Definition Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets Decrease for following fiscal year + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability under non-qualified defined contribution plan + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability under qualified defined contribution plan + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number Of Hours Required For Participation In Defined Benefit And Defined Contribution Plans + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Unfunded Commitments Related to Certain Pension Investments + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer). + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition For defined benefit pension plans, the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or nonvested) attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered before a specified date and based on employee service and compensation (if applicable) before that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels. For plans with flat-benefit or nonpay-related pension benefit formulas, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Accumulated Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503844 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition An assumption as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Glossary Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512013 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to gain (loss) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Target allocation of investments of this type to total plan assets presented on a weighted average basis. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (c)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 70 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942 + Details
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- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph h -Article 7 + Details
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