Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013	Nov. 02, 2012	Aug. 03, 2012	May 04, 2012	Feb. 03, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 317,422	$ 207,685	$ 214,140	$ 213,415	$ 292,510	$ 171,164	$ 146,042	$ 156,969	$ 952,662	$ 766,685	$ 627,857
Diluted Earnings									$ 952,662	$ 766,685	$ 627,857
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic									332,254,000	341,234,000	341,047,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards									2,215,000	3,883,000	3,753,000
Shares outstanding, diluted									334,469,000	345,117,000	344,800,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.62	$ 0.64	$ 0.64	$ 0.86	$ 0.50	$ 0.43	$ 0.46	$ 2.87	$ 2.25	$ 1.84
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97	$ 0.62	$ 0.64	$ 0.63	$ 0.85	$ 0.50	$ 0.42	$ 0.45	$ 2.85	$ 2.22	$ 1.82
Shares of common stock outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share									800,000	0	400,000