Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Property and equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2018	Feb. 03, 2017	Jan. 29, 2016
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 5,175,292	$ 4,595,002
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,474,010	2,160,546
Net property and equipment	2,701,282	2,434,456
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	403,300	378,300	$ 350,600
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	2,000	1,400	$ 1,400
Land
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	212,033	199,171
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 79,597	74,209
Depreciable Life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,116,872	1,013,227
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	$ 507,894	438,711
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,186,406	2,797,144
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	$ 72,490	$ 72,540