CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011	Jan. 29, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 766,685	$ 627,857	$ 339,442
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	275,408	254,927	256,771
Deferred income taxes	10,232	50,985	14,860
Tax benefit of stock options	(33,102)	(13,905)	(5,390)
Loss on debt retirement, net	60,303	14,576	55,265
Noncash share-based compensation	15,250	15,956	17,295
Noncash inventory adjustments and asset impairments	48,673	7,607	647
Other noncash gains and losses	5,517	5,942	7,920
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories	(291,492)	(251,809)	(100,248)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(34,554)	(10,157)	(7,298)
Accounts payable	104,442	123,424	106,049
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	71,763	(42,428)	(12,643)
Income taxes	51,550	42,903	1,153
Other	(195)	(1,194)	(1,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,050,480	824,684	672,823
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(514,861)	(420,395)	(250,747)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	1,026	1,448	2,701
Net cash used in investing activities	(513,835)	(418,947)	(248,046)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock	177	631	443,753
Repayments of long-term obligations	(911,951)	(131,180)	(784,180)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	1,157,800
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facility	(973,100)
Repurchase of common stock from principal shareholder	(185,000)
Payment of cash dividends and related amounts			(239,731)
Equity settlements with employees, net of taxes paid	(28,993)	(13,723)	(5,928)
Tax benefit of stock options	33,102	13,905	5,390
Net cash used in financing activities	(907,965)	(130,367)	(580,696)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(371,320)	275,370	(155,919)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	497,446	222,076	377,995
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	126,126	497,446	222,076
Cash paid for:
Interest	209,351	244,752	328,433
Income taxes	382,294	314,123	187,983
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment, included in Accounts payable	$ 35,662	$ 29,658	$ 30,393