Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Aug. 02, 2013	May 03, 2013	Feb. 01, 2013	Nov. 02, 2012	Aug. 03, 2012	May 04, 2012	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 322,173	$ 237,385	$ 245,475	$ 220,083	$ 317,422	$ 207,685	$ 214,140	$ 213,415	$ 1,025,116	$ 952,662	$ 766,685
Diluted Earnings									$ 1,025,116	$ 952,662	$ 766,685
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic									322,886,000	332,254,000	341,234,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards									968,000	2,215,000	3,883,000
Shares outstanding, diluted									323,854,000	334,469,000	345,117,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 0.74	$ 0.76	$ 0.67	$ 0.97	$ 0.62	$ 0.64	$ 0.64	$ 3.17	$ 2.87	$ 2.25
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.01	$ 0.74	$ 0.75	$ 0.67	$ 0.97	$ 0.62	$ 0.64	$ 0.63	$ 3.17	$ 2.85	$ 2.22
Shares of common stock outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share									1,100,000	800,000	0