Asset Securitization (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010 Y
Activitiy Related to I O Strip [Roll Forward]
Value of the I O strip at beginning of year		$ 0	$ 19,298
Additions to the I O strip			19,402
Amortization of the I O Strip			(21,925)
Valuation adjustments			4,939
Sale of asset securitization program			(21,714)
Value of the I O strip at end of year			0
Servicing Liability at Amortized Value [Roll Forward]
Value of the servicing liability at beginning of year		0	3,046
Additions to the servicing liability			2,978
Amortization of the servicing liability			(3,040)
Sale of asset securitization program			(2,984)
Value of the servicing liability at end of year			0
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Gain on sale of receivables to the Trust			19,402
Amortization of the I O Strip			(21,925)
Valuation adjustments of the I O Strip			4,939
Residual cash flow earned related to I O interest			68,326
Additions to the servicing liability			(2,978)
Amortization of the servicing liability			3,040
Decrease in Selling General and Administrative Expenses due to Securitization Activities			70,804
Securitization Activity [Abstract]
Sale of certificates issued by Trust			51,400
Additional Information Relating to the Receivables in our Trust Prior to the Sale of the credit card portfolio [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales of new receivables to QSPE			530,544
Collections reinvested in revolving-period securitizations			674,185
Cash flows received on retained interests			68,326
Servicing fees received			7,228
Net credit losses			37,035
Servicing Fee Rate			2.00%
Key Assumptions Used to Value Retained Interest [Abstract]
Retained Interest Payment Rate Minimum			11.20%
Retained Interest Payment Rate Maximum			13.80%
Retained Interest Residual Cash Flow Discount Rate Minimum			15.50%
Retained Interest Residual Cash Flow Discount Rate Maximum			16.50%
Retained Interest Net Credit Loss Percentage Minimum			7.25%
Retained Interest Net Credit Loss Percentage Maximum			12.00%
Retained Interest Average Life of Receivables Sold Minimum (years)			0.6
Retained Interest Average Life of Receivables Sold Maximum (years)			0.7
Trading Securities [Abstract]
I/O strip			21,714
Retained interest (primarily collateralized cash)			63,683
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Ownership interest	0	0	51,250
Investment in asset-backed securities			$ 136,647