PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 905,286,000	$ 872,578,000	$ 884,928,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(576,228,000)	(545,561,000)	(561,065,000)
Property and equipment, net	329,058,000	327,017,000	323,863,000
Impairment charges	1,250,000	398,000
Number of underperforming stores	1	2
Property and equipment, outstanding	8,500,000	3,600,000	6,100,000
Land and land improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	3,403,000	3,403,000	3,403,000
Building and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	20-25 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	35,548,000	34,370,000	35,548,000
Material handling equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	10-15 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	52,772,000	50,689,000	52,770,000
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	Lease life
Property and equipment, gross	414,165,000	405,613,000	403,080,000
Store fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	3-10 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	293,897,000	288,968,000	287,838,000
Capitalized software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	5 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	80,621,000	73,251,000	78,623,000
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 24,880,000	$ 16,284,000	$ 23,666,000