CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (2,017)	$ (53,982)	$ (77,962)
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided/(used) by operating activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	58,199	70,108	77,922
Stock-based compensation	5,155	4,698	6,844
Sale of Proprietary Credit Card Receivables Programs	0	0	14,237
Accretion of discount on 1.125% Senior Convertible Notes	6,989	7,332	9,885
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	3,643	1,527	4,031
Gain on repurchase of 1.125% Senior Convertible Notes	0	(1,907)	(13,979)
Write-down of capital assets due to restructuring	1,793	3,210	8,624
Impairment of store assets	654	17,054	15,741
Net (gain)/loss from disposition of capital assets	(4,689)	1,150	(380)
Net gain from securitization activities	0	0	(2,465)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	(2,811)	(2,921)	(347)
Merchandise inventories	25,068	(14,723)	617
Accounts payable	3,748	(18,985)	27,347
Prepayments and other	7,875	29,972	(10,577)
Accrued expenses and other	(10,406)	(37,235)	(30,724)
Proceeds from sale of retained interests in proprietary credit card receivables	0	0	85,397
Net cash provided by operating activities	93,201	5,298	114,211
Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities
Investment in capital assets	(34,932)	(35,778)	(22,650)
Proceeds from sale of certificates related to proprietary credit card receivables	0	0	51,250
Proceeds from sales of capital assets	7,739	1,248	3,178
Gross purchases of securities	0	0	(2,448)
Proceeds from sales of securities	0	200	8,788
(Increase)/decrease in other assets	(1,036)	4,105	5,063
Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities	(28,229)	(30,225)	43,181
Net cash used by financing activities [Abstract]
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(11,350)	(6,265)	(7,088)
Repurchases of 1.125% Senior Convertible Notes	0	(38,260)	(50,633)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,885)	0	(7,308)
Net payments for settlements of hedges on convertible notes	0	0	(26)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans, net of amounts withheld for payroll taxes	(612)	354	484
Net cash used by financing activities	(13,847)	(44,171)	(64,571)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	51,125	(69,098)	92,821
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	117,482	186,580	93,759
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	168,607	117,482	186,580
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Assets acquired through capital leases	$ 2,883	$ 0	$ 0