Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 245,475	$ 214,140	$ 465,558	$ 427,555
Diluted Earnings	$ 245,475	$ 214,140	$ 465,558	$ 427,555
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic	324,770,000	333,001,000	325,872,000	334,541,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards	869,000	2,520,000	1,014,000	2,966,000
Shares outstanding, diluted	325,639,000	335,521,000	326,886,000	337,507,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.76	$ 0.64	$ 1.43	$ 1.28
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.75	$ 0.64	$ 1.42	$ 1.27
Shares of common stock outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share			1,500,000	1,000,000