Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,226,898,000	$ 2,680,985,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,138,233,000	886,025,000
Net property and equipment	2,088,665,000	1,794,960,000
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	277,200,000	243,700,000	215,700,000
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	600,000	1,500,000	0
Land and land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	257,695,000	204,562,000
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	773,835,000	622,849,000
Buildings | Minimum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life	39 years
Buildings | Maximum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life	40 years
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	279,351,000	213,852,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	1,828,573,000	1,500,268,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life	3 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Estimated useful life	10 years
Construction in progress
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 87,444,000	$ 139,454,000