Segment reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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 segment	Feb. 03, 2012 segment	Jan. 28, 2011 segment
Segment reporting
Number of reportable segments									1	1	1
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 4,207,621	$ 3,964,647	$ 3,948,655	$ 3,901,205	$ 4,185,073	$ 3,595,224	$ 3,575,194	$ 3,451,697	$ 16,022,128	$ 14,807,188	$ 13,035,000
Consumables
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									11,844,846	10,833,735	9,332,119
Seasonal
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									2,172,399	2,051,098	1,887,917
Home products
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									1,061,573	1,005,219	917,638
Apparel
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									$ 943,310	$ 917,136	$ 897,326