Derivative financial instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2013 swap	Feb. 03, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Derivative financial instruments
Number of interest rate swap agreements	3
Interest rate swaps combined notional value	$ 875,000,000
Estimated amount to be reclassified during the next 52 week period	3,100,000
Pre-tax effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Loss related to effective portion of derivative recognized in OCI	9,626,000	3,836,000	19,717,000
Loss related to effective portion of derivative reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Interest expense	13,327,000	28,633,000	42,994,000
(Gain) loss related to ineffective portion of derivative recognized in Other (income) expense	(2,392,000)	312,000	526,000
Credit-risk-related contingent features
Fair value of interest rate swaps in a net liability position	5,000,000
Collateral or assets required to settle interest rate swap obligations, estimated termination value	5,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedges
Derivative instruments held
Number of derivative instruments which are non-designated hedges	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative financial instruments		10,820,000
Noncurrent Other liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative financial instruments	$ 4,822,000