Earnings per share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014	May 02, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Aug. 02, 2013	May 03, 2013	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 355,371	$ 236,316	$ 251,260	$ 222,398	$ 322,173	$ 237,385	$ 245,475	$ 220,083	$ 1,065,345	$ 1,025,116	$ 952,662
Diluted Earnings									$ 1,065,345	$ 1,025,116	$ 952,662
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic									304,633,000	322,886,000	332,254,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards									1,048,000	968,000	2,215,000
Shares outstanding, diluted									305,681,000	323,854,000	334,469,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 0.78	$ 0.83	$ 0.72	$ 1.01	$ 0.74	$ 0.76	$ 0.67	$ 3.50	$ 3.17	$ 2.87
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 0.78	$ 0.83	$ 0.72	$ 1.01	$ 0.74	$ 0.75	$ 0.67	$ 3.49	$ 3.17	$ 2.85
Share-based awards outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share									1,200,000	1,200,000	800,000