Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011	Jan. 29, 2010
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,680,985,000	$ 2,177,269,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	886,025,000	652,694,000
Net property and equipment	1,794,960,000	1,524,575,000
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	243,700,000	215,700,000	201,100,000
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	1,500,000
Land and land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	204,562,000	174,439,000
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life (in years)	20
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	622,849,000	575,305,000
Estimated useful life, low end of range (in years)	39
Estimated useful life, high end of range (in years)	40
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	213,852,000	173,836,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	1,500,268,000	1,235,756,000
Estimated useful life, low end of range (in years)	3
Estimated useful life, high end of range (in years)	10
Construction in progress
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 139,454,000	$ 17,933,000