Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Impairment of long-lived assets
Minimum period for which stores are open to be reviewed for impairment	2 years
Impairment charges included in SG&A expense	$ 2,700,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,700,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0	0
Accrued expenses and other
Compensation and benefits	76,981,000	76,989,000
Insurance	86,189,000	78,235,000
Taxes (other than taxes on income)	89,329,000	107,953,000
Other	104,939,000	133,898,000
Accrued expenses and other	357,438,000	397,075,000
Operating leases and related liabilities
Deferred rent liability	43,600,000	31,300,000
Contingent rent liability	7,700,000	9,400,000
Noncurrent other liabilities
Compensation and benefits	18,404,000	17,570,000
Insurance	137,451,000	137,891,000
Income tax related reserves	23,383,000	41,130,000
Other	46,161,000	32,558,000
Non-current other liabilities	$ 225,399,000	$ 229,149,000