Segment reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	May 05, 2017 USD ($) segment	Apr. 29, 2016 USD ($) segment
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 5,609,625	$ 5,265,432
Number of reportable segments
Number of reportable operating segments | segment	1	1
Consumables
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 4,315,513	$ 4,039,197
Seasonal
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	662,638	623,850
Home products
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	333,150	322,848
Apparel
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 298,324	$ 279,537