Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Impairment, Goodwill, Balance sheet detail (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2021	Jan. 31, 2020	Feb. 01, 2019
Impairment of long-lived assets
Minimum period for which stores are open to be reviewed for impairment	3 years
Impairment charges included in SG&A expense	$ 2,700	$ 3,600	$ 4,100
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0	$ 0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Compensation and benefits	269,032	135,492
Self-insurance reserves	110,321	109,291
Taxes (other than taxes on income)	318,552	192,656
Other	308,647	271,717
Toal other accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,006,552	709,156
Other liabilities
Self-insurance reserves	134,765	131,281
Payroll tax liabilities	81,488
Other	47,438	41,395
Total other liabilities	$ 263,691	$ 172,676
Maximum initial term for leases not recorded on the balance sheet	12 months