Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Property and equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2016	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,170,486	$ 3,753,557
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,906,424	1,637,482
Net property and equipment	2,264,062	2,116,075
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	350,600	335,900	$ 315,300
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	1,400	200	$ 1,200
Land
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	188,532	172,329
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 66,955	55,375
Depreciable Life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 834,884	800,346
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	$ 402,997	361,557
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,526,843	2,295,590
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	$ 150,275	$ 68,360