Segment reporting (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, 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 segment	Jan. 31, 2014 segment	Feb. 01, 2013 segment
Segment reporting
Number of reportable segments									1	1	1
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 4,939,059	$ 4,724,409	$ 4,724,039	$ 4,522,081	$ 4,493,945	$ 4,381,838	$ 4,394,651	$ 4,233,733	$ 18,909,588	$ 17,504,167	$ 16,022,128
Consumables
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									14,321,080	13,161,825	11,844,846
Seasonal
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									2,344,993	2,259,516	2,172,399
Home products
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									1,205,373	1,115,648	1,061,573
Apparel
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales									$ 1,038,142	$ 967,178	$ 943,310