Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Change in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Assets [Abstract] Merchandise inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Liabilities Other long-term, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, Net Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Additions to property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from investments Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Issuance of common stock related to stock plans Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Treasury stock purchased Payments for Repurchase of Other Equity Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents: Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract] Beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents End of period Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid Interest Paid Income taxes paid Income Taxes Paid, Net Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Taxes on Earnings Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Disaggregation of revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of restricted cash reconciliation Schedule of Restricted Cash Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restricted Cash Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of restricted investments Schedule of Restricted Investments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Restricted Investments [Table Text Block] Share-based Compensation [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Restricted stock Restricted Stock [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Number of shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Awarded (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Released (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Ending Balance (in shares) Weighted average grant date fair value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Awarded (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Released (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Ending Balance (in dollars per share) Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Short-term investments Short-term Investments Accounts receivable Receivables, Net, Current Merchandise inventory Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Land and buildings Land and buildings Land and Buildings. Fixtures and equipment Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Leasehold improvements Leasehold Improvements, Gross Construction-in-progress Construction in Progress, Gross Property and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Long-term investments Long-term Investments Other long-term assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses and other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued payroll and benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Current Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock, par value $.01 per share Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares Issued and outstanding 377,079,000, 379,618,000 and 389,431,000 shares, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Weighted average shares excluded from calculation of diluted EPS (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Basis of presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently issued and adopted accounting standards New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue recognition Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Allowance for sales returns Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns [Policy Text Block] Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair value measurement Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] 3.375% Senior Notes due 2024 Senior Notes due 2024 [Member] Senior Notes due 2024 [Member] Senior Note Held by Various Investors Senior Note Held by Various Investors [Member] Senior Note Held by Various Investors [Member] 6.38% Series A Senior Notes due 2018 Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] Senior Notes due 2018 [Member] 6.53% Series B Senior Notes due 2021 Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] Senior Notes due 2021 [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Unsecured Series A and B Senior Notes Unsecured Series A and B Senior Notes [Member] Unsecured Series A and B Senior Notes [Member] 6.38% Series A Senior Notes due 2018 Series A Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] Series A unsecured senior notes [Member] 6.53% Series B Senior Notes due 2021 Series B Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] Series B unsecured senior notes [Member] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Unsecured senior notes interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt instrument Debt Instrument, Face Amount Number of unsecured senior notes held Number of Unsecured Senior Notes Held Number of Unsecured Senior Notes Held Total unamortized discount and debt issuance costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net Unsecured senior notes estimated fair value Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Current borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit Sublimit For Issuance Of Standby Letters Of Credit Sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit Maximum borrowing capacity (up to) Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Basis points margin over LIBOR Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Borrowings or standby letters of credit Long-term Line of Credit Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Axis] Products and Services [Domain] Products and Services [Domain] Ladies Ladies [Member] Ladies [Member] Home Accents and Bed and Bath Home Accents and Bed and Bath [Member] Home Accents and Bed and Bath [Member] Shoes Shoes [Member] Shoes [Member] Accessories, Lingerie, Fine Jewelry, and Fragrances Accessories, Lingerie, Fine Jewelry, and Fragrances [Member] Accessories, Lingerie, Fine Jewelry, and Fragrances [Member] Men's Mens [Member] Mens [Member] Children's Childrens [Member] Childrens [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Revenue by merchandise category Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax, Rate Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax, Rate Par value per share (usd per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares) Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Performance Restricted Stock Performance Shares [Member] Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense Restricted stock vesting period (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Treasury shares purchased for tax withholding and available for reissuance (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Requisite service period (in years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period Unvested restricted stock (in shares) Unamortized compensation expense Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Unamortized compensation expense, remaining weighted-average period of recognition (in years) Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Plan participant's annual percentage ceiling for ESPP (up to) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate Plan participant's annual dollar amount ceiling for ESPP (up to) Plan Participants Annual Dollar Amount Ceiling For E S P P Plan participant's dollar amount ceiling for ESPP contributions Purchase price for shares under the ESPP (as a percentage) Purchase Price For Shares Under E S P P Purchase price for shares under the ESPP Discount rate under the ESPP (as a percentage) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Discount from Market Price, Purchase Date Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Cumulative-effect adjustment Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Property and equipment purchased but not yet paid Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Operating leases, future minimum payments due Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Performance awards Performance Awards [Member] Performance Awards [Member] Employee stock purchase plan Employee Stock [Member] Income Statement [Abstract] Sales Revenue, Net Costs and Expenses Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Cost of goods sold Cost of Goods Sold Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense Interest (income) expense, net Interest Income (Expense), Net Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses Earnings before taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Provision for taxes on earnings Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net earnings Earnings per share Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Dividends Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract] Stores open at end of period (in number of stores) Number of Stores Reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted EPS computations Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Interest expense on long-term debt Interest Expense, Debt Other interest expense Interest Expense, Other Capitalized interest Interest Costs Capitalized Adjustment Interest income Interest Income, Other Interest (income) expense, net Schedule of long-term debt Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Interest income and interest expense disclosure Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, by Report Line [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Report Line [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Cost of goods sold Cost of Sales [Member] Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive (loss) income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Change in unrealized loss on investments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Investment [Table] Investment [Table] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Investment [Line Items] Investment [Line Items] Underlying assets in non-qualified deferred compensation program Deferred Compensation Plan Assets Schedule of fair values Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Schedule of fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Stated interest rate Long-term debt Long-term Debt Prepaid expenses and other Restricted Investments, Current Other long-term assets Restricted Investments, Noncurrent Total restricted investments Restricted Investments Schedule of stock-based compensation expense by award type Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block] Total stock-based compensation recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings Stock-Based Compensation Recognized In The Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Table Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Recognized In The Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Earnings [Table Text Block] Unvested restricted stock activity Nonvested Restricted Stock Shares Activity [Table Text Block] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Internal Revenue Service Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] State State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Effective income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Provisional tax benefit Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Change in Tax Rate, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Incomplete Accounting, Change in Tax Rate, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income tax penalties and interest accrued Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Impact of recognizing taxes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Unrecognized tax benefits reduction resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations (up to) Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Open tax year Open Tax Year Prepaid expenses and other Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Prepaid Expenses and Other Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Prepaid Expenses and Other Other long-term assets Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Other Long Term Assets Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Other Long Term Assets Total restricted cash and cash equivalents Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and equivalents Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted cash and cash equivalents Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted investments Restricted Investments, at Fair Value Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basic EPS (in shares) Basic EPS (in dollars per share) Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents, (in shares) Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents, (in dollars per share) Effect Of Dilutive Common Stock Equivalents Earnings Per Share Amount Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents earnings per share amount. Diluted EPS (in shares) Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)