Earnings per share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2013
Net Income
Basic earnings	$ 251,260	$ 245,475	$ 473,658	$ 465,558
Diluted Earnings	$ 251,260	$ 245,475	$ 473,658	$ 465,558
Shares
Shares outstanding, basic	303,015,000	324,770,000	306,173,000	325,872,000
Effect of dilutive share-based awards	873,000	869,000	918,000	1,014,000
Shares outstanding, diluted	303,888,000	325,639,000	307,091,000	326,886,000
Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.76	$ 1.55	$ 1.43
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.83	$ 0.75	$ 1.54	$ 1.42
Share-based awards outstanding excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	1,700,000	1,500,000