Goodwill and other intangible assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill	$ 4,338,589,000	$ 4,338,589,000
Other intangible assets:
Leasehold interests, gross amount	18,218,000	64,644,000
Leasehold interests, accumulated amortization	16,048,000	56,699,000
Leasehold interests, net	2,170,000	7,945,000
Trade names and trademarks	1,199,700,000	1,199,700,000
Total other intangible assets, gross	1,217,918,000	1,264,344,000
Total other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	16,048,000	56,699,000
Total other intangible assets, net	1,201,870,000	1,207,645,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Amortization expense	5,800,000	11,900,000	16,900,000
Estimated aggregate amortization expense
2015	900,000
2016	300,000
2017	200,000
2018	200,000
2019	$ 200,000
Minimum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Leasehold interests, remaining life	1 year	1 year
Maximum
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Leasehold interests, remaining life	8 years	9 years