| Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Jan. 28, 2017 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Organization | Organization We are a general merchandise retailer selling products to our guests through our stores and digital channels. As described in Note 7 , in January 2015, we announced our exit from the Canadian market and filed for protection (the Filing) under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto (the Court). Our prefiling financial results in Canada and subsequent expenses directly attributable to the Canada exit are included in our financial statements and classified within discontinued operations. Discontinued operations refers only to our discontinued Canadian operations. Subsequent to the Filing, we operate as a single segment that includes all of our continuing operations, which are designed to enable guests to purchase products seamlessly in stores or through our digital channels. |
| Consolidation | Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the balances of Target and its subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. All material subsidiaries are wholly owned. We consolidate variable interest entities where it has been determined that Target is the primary beneficiary of those entities' operations. As of January 15, 2015, we deconsolidated substantially all of our Canadian operations following the Filing. See Note 7 for more information. |
| Use of estimates | Use of estimates The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. |
| Fiscal year | Fiscal year Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31. Unless otherwise stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years, rather than to calendar years. Fiscal 2016 ended January 28, 2017 , and consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2015 ended January 30, 2016 , and consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2014 ended January 31, 2015 , and consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal 2017 will end February 3, 2018, and will consist of 53 weeks. |
| Accounting policies | Accounting policies Our accounting policies are disclosed in the applicable Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| Revenues | Revenues Our retail stores generally record revenue at the point of sale. Digital channel sales include shipping revenue and are recorded upon delivery to the guest. Total revenues do not include sales tax because we are a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes. Generally, guests may return national brand merchandise within 90 days of purchase and owned and exclusive brands within one year of purchase. Revenues are recognized net of expected returns, which we estimate using historical return patterns as a percentage of sales and our expectation of future returns. Commissions earned on sales generated by leased departments are included within sales and were $42 million , $37 million , and $32 million in 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. Revenue from gift card sales is recognized upon gift card redemption. Our gift cards do not expire. Based on historical redemption rates, a small and relatively stable percentage of gift cards will never be redeemed, referred to as "breakage." Estimated breakage revenue is recognized over time in proportion to actual gift card redemptions and was not material in any period presented. Guests receive a 5 percent discount on virtually all purchases and receive free shipping at Target.com when they use their REDcard. The discount is included as a sales reduction in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and was $899 million , $905 million , and $832 million in 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . We plan to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018, which begins on February 4, 2018. We are still evaluating whether to use a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt the standard. We do not expect the standard to materially affect our consolidated net earnings, financial position, or cash flows. We are evaluating whether we act as principal or agent in certain vendor arrangements where the purchase and sale of inventory is virtually simultaneous, as further described in Note 12. We currently record revenue and related costs gross, with approximately 3 percent of 2016 consolidated sales made under such arrangements. Any change to net presentation would not impact gross margin or earnings. We are also evaluating the presentation of certain ancillary income streams, including the credit card profit sharing income described in Note 9. |
| Cost of Sales | Cost of Sales Total cost of products sold including |
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Compensation and benefit costs for stores and rd party bank issued |
| Consideration Received from Vendors | Consideration Received from Vendors We receive consideration for a variety of vendor-sponsored programs, such as volume rebates, markdown allowances, promotions, and advertising allowances and for our compliance programs, referred to as "vendor income." Under our compliance programs, vendors are charged for merchandise shipments that do not meet our requirements (violations), such as late or incomplete shipments. Substantially all consideration received is recorded as a reduction of cost of sales. We establish a receivable for vendor income that is earned but not yet received. Based on provisions of the agreements in place, this receivable is computed by estimating the amount earned when we have completed our performance. We perform detailed analyses to determine the appropriate level of the receivable in the aggregate. The majority of year-end receivables associated with these activities are collected within the following fiscal quarter. We have not historically had significant write-offs for these receivables. |
| Advertising Costs | Advertising Costs Advertising costs, which primarily consist of newspaper circulars, internet advertisements, and media broadcast, are generally expensed at first showing or distribution of the advertisement. |
| Fair Value Measurements | Valuation Technique Short-term investments - Carrying value approximates fair value because maturities are less than three months. Prepaid forward contracts - Initially valued at transaction price. Subsequently valued by reference to the market price of Target common stock. Interest rate swaps - Valuation models are calibrated to initial trade price. Subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model (e.g., interest rates and credit spreads). Fair value measurements are reported in one of three levels based on the lowest level of significant input used: Level 1 (unadjusted quoted prices in active markets); Level 2 (observable market inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1); and Level 3 (unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data). |
| Cash Equivalents | Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the time of purchase. These investments were $1,110 million and $3,008 million at January 28, 2017 and January 30, 2016 , respectively. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions. |
| Inventory | Inventory The vast majority of our inventory is accounted for under the retail inventory accounting method (RIM) using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Inventory is stated at the lower of LIFO cost or market. The cost of our inventory includes the amount we pay to our suppliers to acquire inventory, freight costs incurred in connection with the delivery of product to our distribution centers and stores, and import costs, reduced by vendor income and cash discounts. The majority of our distribution center operating costs, including compensation and benefits, are expensed in the period incurred. Inventory is also reduced for estimated losses related to shrink and markdowns. The LIFO provision is calculated based on inventory levels, markup rates, and internally measured retail price indices. Under RIM, inventory cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the inventory retail value. RIM is an averaging method that has been widely used in the retail industry due to its practicality. The use of RIM will result in inventory being valued at the lower of cost or market because permanent markdowns are taken as a reduction of the retail value of inventory. We routinely enter into arrangements with vendors whereby we do not purchase or pay for merchandise until the merchandise is ultimately sold to a guest. Activity under this program is included in sales and cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, but the merchandise received under the program is not included in inventory in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position because of the virtually simultaneous purchase and sale of this inventory. |
| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives or lease terms if shorter. We amortize leasehold improvements purchased after the beginning of the initial lease term over the shorter of the assets' useful lives or a term that includes the original lease term, plus any renewals that are reasonably assured at the date the leasehold improvements are acquired. Depreciation and capital lease amortization expense for 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $2,280 million , $2,191 million , and $2,108 million , respectively. For income tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are generally used. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Facility pre-opening costs, including supplies and payroll, are expensed as incurred. Estimated Useful Lives Life (Years) Buildings and improvements 8-39 Fixtures and equipment 2-15 Computer hardware and software 2-7 Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances, such as a decision to relocate or close a store or make significant software changes, indicate that the asset's carrying value may not be recoverable. For asset groups classified as held for sale, the carrying value is compared to the fair value less cost to sell. We estimate fair value by obtaining market appraisals, valuations from third party brokers, or other valuation techniques. |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets | We use the straight-line method to amortize leasehold acquisition costs primarily over 9 to 39 years and other definite-lived intangibles over 3 to 15 years . The weighted average life of leasehold acquisition costs and other intangible assets was 27 years and 8 years , respectively, at January 28, 2017 . |
| Commitments | We do not consider purchase orders to be firm inventory commitments. If we choose to cancel a purchase order, we may be obligated to reimburse the vendor for unrecoverable outlays incurred prior to cancellation. |
| Leases | Leases We lease certain retail locations, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land, and equipment. Assets held under capital leases are included in property and equipment. Operating lease rentals are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease beginning on the date we take possession of the property. At lease inception, we determine the lease term by assuming the exercise of those renewal options that are reasonably assured. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The lease term is used to determine whether a lease is capital or operating and is used to calculate straight-line rent expense. Additionally, the depreciable life of leased assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term. Rent expense is included in SG&A expenses. Some of our lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of retail sales over contractual levels and others include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. Certain leases require us to pay real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other operating expenses associated with the leased premises. These expenses are classified in SG&A, consistent with similar costs for owned locations. CVS leases the space in our stores in which they operate CVS branded pharmacies and clinics. Rent income received from tenants who rent properties is recorded as a reduction to SG&A expense. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to record assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. We must adopt the standard no later than the first quarter of 2019, which begins on February 3, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We plan to adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018. We expect to elect the package of practical expedients, including the use of hindsight to determine the lease term. While lease classification will remain unchanged, hindsight may result in different lease terms for certain leases and affect the timing of related depreciation, interest, and rent expense. We do not expect to apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases and will recognize those lease payments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for retail-store and office-space real estate leases, which will be recorded as assets and liabilities on our balance sheet upon adoption. We do not believe the new standard will have a notable impact on our liquidity. The standard will have no impact on our debt-covenant compliance under our current agreements. |
| Income Taxes | Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates in effect for the year the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Tax rate changes affecting deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized at the enactment date. We have not recorded deferred taxes when earnings from foreign operations are considered to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. |
| Share-Based Compensation | The expense recognized each period is partially dependent upon our estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately be issued. The fair value for restricted stock units is calculated based on the stock price on the date of grant, incorporating an analysis of the total shareholder return performance measure where applicable. |
| Pension and Postretirement Health Care Plans | Position Valuation Technique Cash and cash equivalents Carrying value approximates fair value. Government securities and fixed income Valued using matrix pricing models and quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. Derivatives Swap derivatives - Valued initially using models calibrated to initial trade price. Subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model (e.g., interest rates and credit spreads). Model inputs are changed only when corroborated by market data. A credit risk adjustment is made on each swap using observable market credit spreads. Option derivatives - Valued at transaction price initially. Subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model (e.g., underlying investments). The weighted average assumptions used to measure net periodic benefit expense each year are the rates as of the beginning of the year (i.e., the prior measurement date). Based on a stable asset allocation, our most recent compound annual rate of return on qualified plans' assets was 7.7 percent , 6.4 percent , 7.7 percent , and 8.2 percent for the 5 -year, 10 -year, 15 -year, and 20 -year time periods, respectively. The market-related value of plan assets, which is used in calculating expected return on assets in net periodic benefit cost, is determined each year by adjusting the previous year's value by expected return, benefit payments, and cash contributions. The market-related value is adjusted for asset gains and losses in equal 20 percent adjustments over a five -year period. |
| Segment Reporting | Segment Reporting Our segment measure of profit is used by management to evaluate the return on our investment and to make operating decisions. Effective January 15, 2015, following the deconsolidation of our former Canadian retail operation, we have been operating as a single segment that includes all of our continuing operations, which are designed to enable guests to purchase products seamlessly in stores or through our digital channels. |
