Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013 Vote		Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock	$ 3,924		$ 4,957	$ 5,183	$ 5,220
Number of votes	1
Common convertible ratio	1
Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock Aggregate [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	[1]
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	0		0	0
Non-redeemable preferred stock	0		0	0
Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock $2.30 Series 1 [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	64,368
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	16,203		30,368	33,497
Non-redeemable preferred stock	648		1,215	1,340
Common Convertible Ratio	0.83
Par value of preferred stock (USD per share)	$ 40
Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock $4.75 Series 3 [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	40,449
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	7,398		11,643	12,163
Non-redeemable preferred stock	740		1,164	1,216
Common Convertible Ratio	2.11
Number of votes	2
Par value of preferred stock (USD per share)	$ 100
Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock $4.75 Series 4 [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	53,764
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	3,247		3,397	3,579
Non-redeemable preferred stock	325		340	358
Common Convertible Ratio	1.52
Number of votes	1
Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock Series 6 [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	800,000
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	0		0	0
Non-redeemable preferred stock	0		0	0
Number of votes	100
$1.50 Subordinated Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	30,067		30,067	30,067
Non-redeemable preferred stock	902		902	902
Number of votes	1
Common convertible ratio	1	[2]
Par value of preferred stock (USD per share)	$ 1.50
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	56,915		75,475	79,306
Non-redeemable preferred stock	2,615		3,621	3,816	3,833
Employees Subordinated Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000
Non-redeemable preferred stock, number of shares	46,852		47,922	49,192
Non-redeemable preferred stock	1,405		1,437	1,476	1,510
Common Convertible Ratio	1.00	[2]
Number of votes	1
Stated Value of Issued Shares [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock	4,020		5,058	5,292
Employees' Preferred Stock Purchase Accounts [Member]
Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
Non-redeemable preferred stock	$ (96)		$ (101)	$ (109)	$ (123)

[1] The Company’s charter permits the board of directors to issue Subordinated Serial Preferred Stock in as many series, each with as many shares and such rights and preferences as the board may designate.

[2] Also convertible into one share of $1.50 Subordinated Cumulative Preferred Stock.