Segment reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2019 USD ($) segment	Aug. 03, 2018 USD ($) segment	Aug. 02, 2019 USD ($) segment	Aug. 03, 2018 USD ($) segment
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 6,981,753	$ 6,443,309	$ 13,604,938	$ 12,557,772
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	$ 5,428,005	$ 4,988,063	$ 10,641,160	$ 9,760,451
Seasonal
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	854,093	792,513	1,591,071	1,483,544
Home products
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	375,068	345,161	750,781	699,794
Apparel
Net sales data for classes of similar products
Net sales	$ 324,587	$ 317,572	$ 621,926	$ 613,983