Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2014 Store	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 31, 2009 Store	Jul. 31, 2009 Owned Stores [Member]	Jul. 28, 2000 Owned Stores [Member] Store	Jul. 31, 2009 Retail Distribution Center [Member]
Leases [Abstract]
Number of leased facilities for stores	216
Minimum Lease Payments	$ 71,123	$ 70,095	$ 67,651
Contingent Lease Payments	242	232	276
Total Lease Payments	71,365	70,327	67,927
Future minimum rental payments, operating leases [Abstract]
2015	60,569
2016	48,942
2017	43,858
2018	41,592
2019	41,926
Later years	518,762
Total	$ 755,649
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Number of owned stores involved in sale-lease back transaction				15		65
Initial lease term					20 years	21 years	15 years
Lease renewal option					20 years	20 years	20 years