Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 30, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of percentage of net sales by segment and major product line

	Percentage of Net Sales
	Fiscal 2015		Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013
Retail operations segment:
Cosmetics	14	%	14	%	15	%
Ladies' apparel	22		22		22
Ladies' accessories and lingerie	16		16		16
Juniors' and children's apparel	8		9		8
Men's apparel and accessories	17		17		17
Shoes	16		16		16
Home and furniture	4		4		5
	97		98		99
Construction segment	3		2		1
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%

Schedule of segment information

(in thousands of dollars)	Retail Operations		Fiscal 2015 Construction			Consolidated
Net sales from external customers	$	6,388,769	$	206,857		$	6,595,626
Gross profit	2,237,077		7,744			2,244,821
Depreciation and amortization	249,508		503			250,011
Interest and debt expense (income), net	60,989		(66		)	60,923
Income before income taxes and income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	404,582		4,202			408,784
Income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	1,356		—			1,356
Total assets	3,804,718		60,907			3,865,625

(in thousands of dollars)	Retail Operations		Fiscal 2014 Construction			Consolidated
Net sales from external customers	$	6,490,387	$	130,667		$	6,621,054
Gross profit	2,342,109		6,340			2,348,449
Depreciation and amortization	250,371		312			250,683
Interest and debt expense (income), net	61,352		(46		)	61,306
Income before income taxes and income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	508,730		2,038			510,768
Income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	565		—			565
Total assets	4,111,744		58,327			4,170,071

(in thousands of dollars)	Retail Operations		Fiscal 2013 Construction			Consolidated
Net sales from external customers	$	6,439,304	$	92,343		$	6,531,647
Gross profit	2,301,271		6,661			2,307,932
Depreciation and amortization	255,240		250			255,490
Interest and debt expense (income), net	64,572		(67		)	64,505
Income before income taxes and income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	494,452		1,772			496,224
Income on and equity in losses of joint ventures	847		—			847
Total assets	4,011,771		38,968			4,050,739