Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,452,916,000	$ 3,226,898,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,372,611,000	1,138,233,000
Net property and equipment	2,080,305,000	2,088,665,000
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	315,300,000	277,200,000	243,700,000
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	1,200,000	600,000	1,500,000
Land
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	163,448,000	176,861,000
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	48,566,000	80,834,000
Depreciable Life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	765,555,000	773,835,000
Buildings | Minimum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Depreciable Life	39 years
Buildings | Maximum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Depreciable Life	40 years
Leasehold improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	326,122,000	279,351,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	2,078,893,000	1,828,573,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Depreciable Life	3 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Depreciable Life	10 years
Construction in progress
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 70,332,000	$ 87,444,000