Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Revenue, Advertising (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2016	Jan. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Revenue and gain recognition
Liability for outstanding gift cards	$ 2,800	$ 2,500
Breakage income related to the gift card program	600	2,400
Advertising costs
Advertising costs	89,300	77,300	$ 70,500
Expenses related to vendor funding for cooperative advertising offset	36,700	35,000	$ 31,900
Debt issue costs
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	18,100	15,462
Deferred income taxes
Deferred income taxes	$ 639,955	626,858
Adjustment for 2015-03 accounting standards update
Debt issue costs
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net		15,500
Adjustment for 2015-17 accounting standards update
Deferred income taxes
Deferred income taxes		$ 25,300