Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Property and equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2017	Jan. 29, 2016	Jan. 30, 2015
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,595,002	$ 4,170,486
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,160,546	1,906,424
Net property and equipment	2,434,456	2,264,062
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	378,300	350,600	$ 335,900
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	1,400	1,400	$ 200
Land
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	199,171	188,532
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 74,209	66,955
Depreciable Life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,013,227	834,884
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	$ 438,711	402,997
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,797,144	2,526,843
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	$ 72,540	$ 150,275