Segment reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2018 USD ($) segment	Nov. 03, 2017 USD ($) segment	Nov. 02, 2018 USD ($) segment	Nov. 03, 2017 USD ($) segment
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 6,417,462	$ 5,903,606	$ 18,975,234	$ 17,341,536
Number of reportable segments
Number of reportable operating segments | segment	1	1	1	1
Consumables
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 5,058,839	$ 4,625,401	$ 14,819,290	$ 13,425,273
Seasonal
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	687,640	636,519	2,171,184	2,017,150
Home products
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	371,833	346,339	1,071,627	1,007,137
Apparel
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 299,150	$ 295,347	$ 913,133	$ 891,976