Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Nov. 02, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 207,685	$ 171,164	$ 635,240	$ 474,175
Diluted Earnings	$ 207,685	$ 171,164	$ 635,240	$ 474,175
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic	332,337,000	341,955,000	333,806,000	341,670,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards	1,667,000	3,822,000	2,533,000	3,928,000
Shares outstanding, diluted	334,004,000	345,777,000	336,339,000	345,598,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.50	$ 1.90	$ 1.39
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.50	$ 1.89	$ 1.37
Shares of common stock outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	800,000	300,000