Basis of presentation - Accounting policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 29, 2021	Jan. 31, 2020	Feb. 01, 2019
Revenue recognition
Liability for outstanding gift cards			$ 8,200	$ 6,000
Breakage income related to gift card program			1,300	1,000	$ 800
Advertising costs
Advertising costs			107,400	91,000	70,500
Expenses related to vendor funding for cooperative advertising offset			33,400	34,700	35,000
New accounting guidance
Operating lease assets			9,473,330	8,796,183
Operating lease liabilities			$ 9,459,467
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)				$ 28,830	$ (41,316)
3.25% Senior Notes due April 15, 2023
Other comprehensive income
Credit facility term			10 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New accounting guidance
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ 28,800
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
New accounting guidance
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)		$ (41,300)
Increase in deferred income tax liabilities		$ 41,300