Current and long-term obligations (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012 LIBOR loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Senior secured term loan facility, maturity July 6, 2014 LIBOR loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Senior secured term loan facility, maturity July 6, 2014 LIBOR loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Senior secured term loan facility, maturity July 6, 2014 Base-rate Loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Senior secured term loan facility, maturity July 6, 2014 Base-rate Loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Tranche 1 LIBOR loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Tranche 1 LIBOR loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Tranche 1 Base-rate Loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Tranche 1 Base-rate Loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Last out tranche LIBOR loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Last out tranche LIBOR loans	Feb. 03, 2012 Last out tranche Base-rate Loans	Jan. 28, 2011 Last out tranche Base-rate Loans
Current and long-term obligations
Variable rate basis	LIBOR
Spread on variable rate (as a percent)		2.75%	2.75%	1.75%	1.75%	1.50%	1.25%	0.50%	0.25%	2.25%	2.25%	1.25%	1.25%