RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Accounts Payable, Current Merchandise payables Intercompany payables Accounts receivable Intercompany receivables Other taxes Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Cumulative unrealized derivative gain (loss) (net of tax of $5, $(5) and $0, respectively) The tax effect from accumulated change, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses. Cumulative unrealized derivative gain (loss), tax Pension and postretirement adjustments (net of tax of $(442), $(458) and $(480), respectively) Pension and postretirement adjustments (net of tax of $(442), $(458) and $(480), respectively) The tax effect from the total of net (gain) loss, prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. Pension and postretirement adjustments, tax Currency translation adjustments (net of tax of $(34), $(4) and $(7), respectively) The tax effect from accumulated adjustment, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains (losses). Currency translation adjustments, tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Capital in Excess of Par Value Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Amended Domestic Credit Agreement [Member] Amended Domestic Credit Agreement Amendment Flag Total assets TOTAL ASSETS ASSETS Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Total Total Total current assets Total current assets Current assets Assets Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, in Period of Disposition, Asset Name [Domain] Assets Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, in Period of Disposition by Asset [Axis] Assets Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, in Period of Disposition [Line Items] AutoZone [Member] AutoZone Base Rate [Member] Base Rate Beneficial interest acquired by related party, percentage Percentage of ownership in Sears outstanding common stock Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Number of Shares of Acquired Common Stock Additional common shares acquired Business Acquisition [Line Items] Description of purchase of additional noncontrolling interest (minority interest) in a subsidiary completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. Also includes description of dividends received from these same majority-owned subsidiaries. Business Combination And Dividends Disclosure [Text Block] SEARS CANADA Capitalized lease obligations Cash and cash equivalents CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR Cash equivalents NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash collateral held by counterparties Cash collateral posted under currency forward contracts Dividend received by holdings Class of Stock [Domain] Unsecured commercial paper Common Stock Total Comprehensive (Loss) Income Total Comprehensive (Loss) Income Comprehensive (loss) income Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income Eliminations Cost of sales, buying and occupancy Total costs and expenses Total costs and expenses COSTS AND EXPENSES Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Total borrowings BORROWINGS Debt Instrument [Axis] Credit agreement, interest rates margin Debt Instrument Collateral Percentage Of Outstanding Common Stock Percentage of collateralized ownership of domestic subsidiaries Aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes Senior secured notes, principal amount outstanding Senior secured interest rate Interest rate per annum on unsecured commercial paper Senior secured interest rate Debt instrument maturity date Senior secured maturity date Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument Weighted Average Maturity Period Weighted average of maturity period Debt Outstanding, Type [Axis] Debt Outstanding, Type [Axis] Debt Outstanding, Type [Domain] Debt Outstanding, Type [Domain] Debt Redemption Price Percent Of Principal Amount Percentage of note repurchase price per principal amount Deferred Revenue, Current Unearned revenues Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Unearned revenues Deferred income taxes State net operating loss deferred tax assets Valuation allowance for net operating loss deferred tax assets Amortization of experience gains/losses Amortization of experience gains/losses Contributions to pension and post-retirement plans Anticipated aggregate contributions to domestic and Canadian defined benefit plans over remainder of fiscal 2011 Expected return on plan assets Expected return on plan assets Interest cost Net periodic expense Net periodic expense Components of net periodic expense: Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain] Benefits earned during the period Accelerated depreciation on assets in stores to be closed Depreciation and amortization Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Increase in fair value of forward contracts, net of tax Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - BORROWINGS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - BORROWINGS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income [Abstract] Disclosure - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income [Abstract] Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - EQUITY - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - EQUITY - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement Amounts for Other Financial Assets and Liabilities Recorded in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement Amounts for Other Financial Assets and Liabilities Recorded in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at Fair Value [Abstract] Disclosure - GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - INCOME TAXES - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - SEARS CANADA - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - SEARS CANADA - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - SPIN-OFF OF ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE STORES CORPORATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - SPIN-OFF OF ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE STORES CORPORATION - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - STORE CLOSINGS AND CONVERSIONS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - STORE CLOSINGS AND CONVERSIONS - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Segment Data [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of Segment Data [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of the Components of Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense for Retirement Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Summary of the Components of Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense for Retirement Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Total Borrowings [Abstract] Disclosure - Total Borrowings [Abstract] Cash dividend payment date Cash dividend declared Cash dividend declared per common share Cash dividend declared to shareholders of record date Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document - Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Period End Date Document Type Basic and diluted loss per share LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS' SHAREHOLDERS Edward S Lampert [Member] Edward S. Lampert Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Embedded Derivative Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Equity Component [Domain] Percentage of ownership in AutoZone outstanding common stock ESL [Member] ESL Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Level 1 Level 2 Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks by Financial Instrument [Axis] Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments Fair Value Assumptions Weighted Average Life Foreign currency forward contracts outstanding, weighted-average remaining life (in years) Five Year Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Five Year Revolving Credit Facility Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Maximum Fixed charge ratio at the last day of any quarter Foreign currency derivative assets Aggregate fair value of forward contracts Foreign currency derivative liabilities Asset related to foreign currency derivatives Liabilities related to foreign currency derivatives Foreign currency collar contracts Foreign currency forward contracts Total amount of gain (loss) derived from net investment hedges recognized in other comprehensive income in the period. Settlement of Canadian dollar hedges Settlement of Canadian dollar hedges (Gain) loss on sales of assets (Gain) loss on sales of assets Mark-to-market and settlement gain (losses) Goodwill Sum of the carrying amounts of all goodwill and intangible assets of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Goodwill and intangible assets Guarantor Subsidiaries This element represents disclosure of financial information for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered. Disclosures include condensed consolidating financial information with separate columns for the parent company, the subsidiary guarantors on a combined basis, other subsidiaries of the parent company on a combined basis (non-guarantors), consolidating adjustments and the total consolidated amounts for the same periods presented in the parent company's financial statements. GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION Income (loss) before income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Equity in earnings (loss) in subsidiaries Income Statement [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income taxes paid, net of refunds Income tax Examination Interest and penalties recognized Income Tax Examination Penalties And Interest Accrued, Net Of Federal Benefit Interest and penalties recognized, net of federal benefit Income tax benefit (expense) Income tax benefit (expense) Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Merchandise payables Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes The net change during the period in the amount of cash payments due to taxing authorities for taxes that are based on the reporting entity's earnings, sales and use taxes, payroll and other taxes. Income and other taxes Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Merchandise inventories Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions and dispositions): Other operating assets Other operating assets Other operating liabilities Trade names and other intangible assets Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense recognized, net of federal tax benefit Cash interest paid Merchandise inventories Inventory markdowns Interest and investment income Value of beneficial interest Investment in subsidiaries Kmart [Member] Kmart Legal Entity [Axis] Letter of Credit Letters of credit outstanding amount Total Liabilities Total Liabilities LIABILITIES TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Current liabilities LIBOR [Member] LIBOR Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity Credit agreement, additional borrowing capacity Line of credit facility outstanding amount Line of Credit Facility [Axis] Commitment fees Credit agreement, Covenant Terms Credit Agreement, expiration date Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Credit agreement Credit Agreement available amount Long-term debt, including current portion: Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations Current portion of long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations Fair value of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Mark-to-market activity, net Mark-to-market adjustments and settlements on Sears Canada U.S. dollar option contracts Mark-to-market adjustments and settlements on Sears Canada U.S. dollar option contracts Maximum Minimum Noncontrolling interest Sears Canada dividend paid to noncontrolling shareholders Sears Canada dividend paid to noncontrolling shareholders Additional purchase of noncontrolling interest in Sears Canada Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net cash used in investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash used in operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS' SHAREHOLDERS NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO HOLDINGS' SHAREHOLDERS (Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interests Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Notes and debentures outstanding Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] Notional value of foreign currency derivatives Number of hardware stores Number of stores Number Of Stores Closed During Period Stores closed during a period Number Of Stores Expected To Change the Format Stores expected to change format Number Of Stores Expected To Close Stores expected to be closed Number Of Stores To Be Opened Stores closed that will be converted to Kmart stores Operating loss Operating income (loss) Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation [Member] Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation BASIS OF PRESENTATION Original Domestic Credit Agreement [Member] Original Domestic Credit Agreement Other current assets Other assets Pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax Cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax Deferred gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities Table Disclosure Other Liabilities Table Disclosure [Table Text Block] Other Long-Term Liabilities Other income (loss) Secured borrowings Other Parent Net investing with Affiliates Net investing with Affiliates Net (increase) decrease in investments and restricted cash Net (increase) decrease in investments and restricted cash Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Debt issuance costs Debt issuance costs Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders Sears Canada dividend paid to minority shareholders Capital expenditures Purchases of property and equipment Purchase of Sears Canada shares Purchase of Sears Canada shares Pension and post-retirement plan contributions Pension and post-retirement plan contributions BENEFIT PLANS Pension and post-retirement benefits Pension and postretirement benefits Percentage of available credit facility to make restricted payments Limit of availability under the credit facility to make restricted payments Percentage of Collateral To face value of issued and outstanding letters of credit Percentage of collateral to face value of all issued and outstanding letters of credit Percentage Of Ownership Interests Percentage of ownership interest Preferred Stock Prepaid expenses and other current assets Proceeds from debt issuances Net borrowing with Affiliates Proceeds From Sale Of Property And Investments Proceeds from sales of property and investments Increase in short-term borrowings, primarily 90 days or less Net income (loss) Net loss Net income (loss) Property and equipment, net Total property and equipment, net Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Payment for automotive parts, accessories and other services Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis] RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of long-term debt Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Restricted Cash. Restricted Cash, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted cash Charges related to store closings Retained Earnings REVENUES Percentage of ownership in voting and non voting power of orchard's outstanding capital stock Merchandise sales and services Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Assets Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, in Period of Disposition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Total Borrowings Fair Value Measurement Amounts for Other Financial Assets and Liabilities Recorded in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at Fair Value Summary of the Components of Total Net Periodic Benefit Expense for Retirement Plans Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Summary of Segment Data Sears Canada Full Line And Specialty Retail Stores [Member] Sears Canada Full Line And Specialty Retail Stores Sears Canada [Member] Sears Canada Sears Domestic [Member] Sears Domestic Segment [Domain] Segment, Geographical [Domain] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] SUMMARY OF SEGMENT DATA Self-insurance reserves Selling and administrative Senior Secured Note [Member] Senior Secured Note The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan and charges incurred with an exit or disposal activity other than for discontinued operations as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees. Selling and administrative expenses for store closing and severance costs Share Repurchase Program Expiration Date Date when authorization for cancellation expires Share Repurchase Program Shares Authorized to Acquire Outstanding Common Stock Percentage Percentage of issued and outstanding common shares to be purchased for cancellation Shares, Outstanding Ending Balance (in shares) Beginning Balance (in shares) Short-term borrowings Short-term borrowings: Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Expected decrease in unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months Spin Off Disclosure SPIN-OFF OF ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE STORES CORPORATION LC Facility Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Statement, Geographical [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Shareholder's equity Total Equity Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] EQUITY Stockholders' Equity, Other Other Stock awards Associate stock purchase Common shares acquired and cancelled Value of common shares acquired and cancelled Repurchase of common shares, shares Repurchase of common shares, value Remaining authorization to repurchase common shares under share repurchase program Disclosure of the losses related to the impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS 144 and the disclosure of the reserve for lease exit activities in accordance with SFAS 146. STORE CLOSINGS AND CONVERSIONS SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DATA: Supplemental Financial Information Disclosure SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION Federal credit carryforwards Trading Symbol Treasury Rate Lock [Member] Treasury Rate Average prices of common shares repurchased Treasury Stock Shares repurchased (in shares) Shares repurchased (in shares) Shares repurchased Shares repurchased United States Full Line Retail Stores [Member] United States Full Line Retail Stores United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit United States Specialty Retail Stores [Member] United States Specialty Retail Stores Gross unrecognized tax benefits Decrease in gross unrecognized tax benefits due to federal and state audit settlements Increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits due to federal and state audit settlements Unrecognized tax benefits that would, if recognized, impact effective tax rate Additional state income tax valuation allowance Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding where Basic and Diluted are the same and reported as a single line Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding Number of common shares to be purchased for cancellation