Goodwill and other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill	$ 4,338,589,000	$ 4,338,589,000
Other intangible assets:
Leasehold interests, gross amount	106,917,000	122,169,000
Leasehold interests, accumulated amortization	87,074,000	85,415,000
Leasehold interests, net	19,843,000	36,754,000
Trade names and trademarks	1,199,700,000	1,199,200,000
Total other intangible assets, gross	1,306,617,000	1,321,369,000
Total other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	87,074,000	85,415,000
Total other intangible assets, net	1,219,543,000	1,235,954,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Amortization expense	16,900,000	21,000,000	27,400,000
Estimated aggregate amortization expense
2013	11,900,000
2014	5,800,000
2015	900,000
2016	300,000
2017	200,000
Minimum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Leasehold interests, remaining life	1 year	1 year
Maximum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Leasehold interests, remaining life	10 years	11 years
Internally developed software
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Amortization expense			$ 1,700,000