CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Nov. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,468,612	$ 1,449,623	$ 4,497,600	$ 4,486,867
Service charges and other income	38,313	36,722	115,502	110,672
Total net sales, service charges and other income	1,506,925	1,486,345	4,613,102	4,597,539
Cost of sales	937,407	919,623	2,852,014	2,864,338
Selling, general and administrative expenses	404,406	404,637	1,192,820	1,196,663
Depreciation and amortization	64,942	65,798	194,302	194,033
Rentals	5,946	7,624	17,049	24,530
Interest and debt expense, net	15,789	17,011	48,345	52,139
Gain on disposal of assets	(2)	(1,072)	(12,371)	(2,211)
Asset impairment and store closing charges	0	0	6,527	0
Income before income taxes and income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	78,437	72,724	314,416	268,047
Income taxes	27,570	24,231	110,665	94,531
Income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	1	21	818	1,003
Net income	50,868	48,514	204,569	174,519
Retained Earnings [Roll Forward]
Retained earnings at beginning of period	3,248,620	3,228,474	3,099,566	3,107,344
Cash dividends declared	(2,700)	(2,359)	(7,347)	(7,234)
Retained earnings at end of period	$ 3,296,788	$ 3,274,629	$ 3,296,788	$ 3,274,629
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.13	$ 1.03	$ 4.43	$ 3.62
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.13	$ 1.01	$ 4.43	$ 3.55
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.05	$ 0.16	$ 0.15