Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012 Y	Jan. 28, 2011	Jan. 29, 2010	Feb. 01, 2008
Impairment of long-lived assets
Minimum period for which stores are open to be reviewed for impairment (in years)	2
Impairment charges included in SG&A expense	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,700,000	$ 5,000,000
Accrued expenses and other
Compensation and benefits	76,989,000	81,786,000
Insurance	78,235,000	76,372,000
Taxes (other than taxes on income)	107,953,000	74,900,000
Other	133,898,000	114,683,000
Accrued expenses and other	397,075,000	347,741,000
Insurance liabilities
Discount rate used to measure fair value (as a percent)				5.40%
Value of discount	3,300,000	4,800,000
Operating leases and related liabilities
Deferred rent liability	31,300,000	23,200,000
Contingent rent liability	9,400,000	9,200,000
Operating lease closed store rent liabilities	4,900,000	7,000,000
Non-current other liabilities
Compensation and benefits	17,570,000	14,531,000
Insurance	137,891,000	131,912,000
Income tax related reserves	41,130,000	27,255,000
Derivatives		34,923,000
Other	32,558,000	22,961,000
Non-current other liabilities	$ 229,149,000	$ 231,582,000