PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 02, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
netbookvalue	$ 159,700,000	$ 152,600,000
numberofyearsstoreopened	2
Property and equipment, gross	840,226,000	905,286,000	843,956,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(505,783,000)	(576,228,000)	(513,855,000)
Property and equipment, net	334,443,000	329,058,000	330,101,000
Impairment charges	0	1,250,000
Number of underperforming stores		1
Property and equipment, outstanding	4,000,000	8,500,000	4,300,000
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	35,548,000	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	48,454,000	52,772,000	48,346,000
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	Lease life
Property and equipment, gross	395,391,000	414,165,000	391,311,000
Store fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	3-10 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	253,828,000	293,897,000	265,030,000
Capitalized software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment, Useful Life (in years)	5-10 yrs
Property and equipment, gross	74,457,000	80,621,000	65,885,000
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 29,145,000	$ 24,880,000	$ 34,433,000
numberofstorestestedforimpairment [Domain]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of Stores	981	933