Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities, Current and Long Term Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, net Accrued Capital Expenditure Accrued Capital Expenditure Accrued capital additions Accrued Expense [Member] Accrued Expense [Member] (Accrued Expense) Accrued Expenses And Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses And Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses And Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Line Items] Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities [Table] Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities [Table] Accrued Expenses And Other Liabilities [Table] Accrued Income Taxes, Current Federal, state and foreign income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Income taxes payable Accrued Insurance, Current Insurance Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Gift Card Liability, Current Merchandise credits and gift certificates Accrued Rent, Noncurrent Accrued rent Accrued Rent Utilities And Occupancy Including Real Estate Taxes Accrued Rent Utilities And Occupancy Including Real Estate Taxes Rent, utilities and occupancy, including real estate taxes Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Deferred Benefit Costs Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Rate Lock on Debt [Member] Accumulated Rate Lock On Debt [Member] Cash Flow Hedge on Debt Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign Currency Translation Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Recognition of share-based compensation Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Advertising Costs Advertising Expense Advertising expense Age of retirement. Age Of Retirement Minimum age of retirement Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Compensation cost related to share-based compensation Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Antidilutive options excluded Apparel [Member] Apparel [Member] Apparel Asset Impairment Charges Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, related to Sierra Trading Post ("STP") Impairment charge Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, related to STP Asset Retirement Obligations, Noncurrent Asset retirement obligation Assets Identifiable assets TOTAL ASSETS Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Assets and Liabilities Eliminated upon Consolidation [Abstract] Assets and Liabilities Eliminated upon Consolidation [Abstract] Assets and Liabilities Eliminated upon Consolidation [Abstract] Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets in Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] Assets in Fair Value Hierarchy [Member] Assets in Fair Value Hierarchy Assets Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] Assets Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] Assets Measured at Net Asset Value AUSTRALIA Australia Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basis of Presentation and Summary of Accounting Policies Blended contract rate value. Blended Contract Rate Value Blended Contract Rate Building [Member] Building CANADA Canada Capital Lease Obligations Incurred Non-cash investing and financing activity: Financing lease obligation Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Financing lease obligations Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net Property held under capital leases Capital Unit [Line Items] Capital Unit [Line Items] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flows Information Clothing And Footwear [Member] Clothing And Footwear [Member] Clothing Including Footwear Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (See Note L and Note N) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingent Obligations and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block] Loss Contingencies Commitments Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Line Items] Commitments [Table] Commitments [Table] Commitments [Table] Commodity Contract [Member] Diesel Fuel Contracts Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends declared per share Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Ending balance (shares) Beginning Balance (Shares) Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, authorized 1,200,000,000 shares, par value $1, issued and outstanding 628,009,022 and 646,319,046, respectively Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Amounts Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Amounts Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member] Software Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk, Percentage Concentration risk, percentage Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Consolidated Statements Of Income Classifications [Policy Text Block] Consolidated Statements Of Income Classifications [Policy Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Income Classifications Construction work in progress other. Construction Work In Progress Other Non-cash investing and financing activity: Construction in progress Conversion Of Australian Dollar To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Australian Dollar To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Australian Dollar To US Dollar Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To Euro [Member] Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To Euro [Member] Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To Euro Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Canadian Dollar To US Dollar Conversion Of Euro To Pound [Member] Conversion Of Euro To Pound [Member] Conversion Of Euro To Pound Conversion Of Pound To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Pound To Us Dollar [Member] Conversion Of Pound To US Dollar Conversion Of Us Dollar To Euro [Member] Conversion Of Us Dollar To Euro [Member] Conversion Of US Dollar To Euro Conversion Of Us Dollar To Pound [Member] Conversion Of Us Dollar To Pound [Member] Conversion Of US Dollar To Pound Conversion Of Zloty To Pound [Member] Conversion Of Zloty To Pound [Member] Conversion Of Zloty To Pound Corporate And Government Bond Funds [Member] Corporate And Government Bond Funds [Member] Corporate and Government Bond Funds Corporate Segment [Member] Corporate The aggregate cost of goods sold, including buying and occupancy costs, during the reporting period. Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs Cost of Sales [Member] Cost Of Sales, Including Buying And Occupancy Costs Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) State Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Long-Term Debt and Credit Lines Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Face Amount Aggregate principal amount Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Effective interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt instrument, interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Maturity date Debt Instrument, Maturity, Month and Year Debt Instrument, Maturity, Month and Year Maturity Month/Year Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument, Term Debt instrument maturity period, years Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Unamortized debt discount Less amount representing unamortized debt discount Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce the provision for taxes on earnings Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Fair Value of Shares Issued Annual deferred share awards, common stock value Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Issued Deferred shares outstanding Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Debt Issuance Costs, Net Debt issuance cost Less amount representing debt issuance cost Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Deferred Income Tax Charge [Member] Deferred Income Tax Charge Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax (benefit) provision Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Total deferred tax liabilities Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) State Deferred Tax Assets Accruals And Reserves Deferred Tax Assets Accruals And Reserves Accruals and reserves Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Gain on Sale Leaseback Transaction Leases Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Total gross deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Net deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent Non-current asset Non-current deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Net operating loss carryforward Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local Foreign net operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Subject to Expiration Foreign net operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration Deferred Tax Assets, Other Other Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits Pension, stock compensation, postretirement and employee benefits Deferred Tax Assets Tax, Deferred Expense Lease Obligations Deferred Tax Assets Tax, Deferred Expense Lease Obligations Reserves for lease obligations Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Valuation allowances Valuation allowance Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Net deferred tax (liability) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Inventory Capitalized inventory Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets Tradename/intangibles Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Non-current deferred income taxes, net Non-current liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings Undistributed foreign earnings Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Amount of Unrecognized Deferred Tax Liability, Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries Unrecognized tax liability related to the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidaries Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, before Tax Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Gain (Loss), before Tax Accumulated actuarial losses Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax Prior service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss) Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Actuarial losses Rate of the alternative method used to amortize net gains and losses. Any systematic method of amortizing gains or losses may be used in lieu of the minimum specified provided that (a) the minimum is used in any period in which the minimum amortization is greater (reduces the net balance included in accumulated other comprehensive income by more), (b) the method is applied consistently, (c) the method is applied similarly to both gains and losses, and (4) the method used is disclosed. Defined Benefit Plan Alternative Method Used To Amortize Net Gains And Losses In Percentage Excess percentage of projected benefit obligation for amortization of unrecognized gains and losses Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Amortization of net actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts for Asset (Liability) Recognized in Statement of Financial Position Net (asset) liability recognized on consolidated balance sheets Net accrued liability recognized in balance sheet Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax Net (gain) loss Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Prior Service Cost (Credit), after Reclassification Adjustment, before Tax Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss) Assets for Plan Benefits, Defined Benefit Plan Pension plans and other retirement benefits, long-term asset Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase Rate of compensation increase Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Rate of Return on Plan Assets Expected rate of return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase Pension expense discount rate Rate of compensation increase Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Projected benefit obligation at end of year Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year Projected benefit obligation at end of year Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Benefits Paid Benefits paid Defined Benefit Plan, Asset Categories [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan, Asset Categories [Axis] Defined benefit plan contribution of pension fund in excess of contribution. Defined Benefit Plan Contribution Of Pension Fund In Excess Of Contribution Percentage of pension contribution Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Employer contribution Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Gain (Loss), Next Fiscal Year Estimated amortization of net actuarial loss for 2019 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit), Next Fiscal Year Amortization of prior service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter 2024 through 2028 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Next Twelve Months 2019 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Five 2023 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Four 2022 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Three 2021 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Two 2020 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Employer Contributions, Next Fiscal Year Anticipated employer's contribution to fund current benefit and expense payments under the unfunded plan in fiscal 2019 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined benefit plan expenses paid. Defined Benefit Plan Expenses Paid Expenses paid Expenses paid Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Fair value of plan assets at end of year Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year Fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets at end of year Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets Gross Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets Gross Fair value of assets Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets Measured At Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets Measured At Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value for Pension Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Percentage Rate of defined pension plan Defined Benefit Plan, Funded (Unfunded) Status of Plan Funded status - excess (asset) obligation Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Interest cost