Derivative financial instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012 swap	Jan. 28, 2011	Jan. 29, 2010
Derivative financial instruments
Number of interest rate swap agreements	3
Interest rate swaps combined notional value	$ 533,300,000
Estimated amount to be reclassified during the next 52 weeks period	8,500,000
Effect of derivative instruments as reflected in the consolidated statement of income and shareholders' equity, as applicable
Loss related to effective portion of derivative recognized in OCI	3,836,000	19,717,000	42,324,000
Loss related to effective portion of derivative reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Interest expense	28,633,000	42,994,000	50,140,000
Loss related to ineffective portion of derivative recognized in Other (income) expense	312,000	526,000	618,000
Credit-risk-related contingent features
Fair value of interest rate swaps in a net liability position	11,100,000
Collateral or assets required to settle interest rate swap obligations, estimated termination value	11,100,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative financial instruments	10,820,000
Non-current Other Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative financial instruments		$ 34,923,000