Basis of presentation and accounting policies - Property and equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2022	Jan. 29, 2021	Jan. 31, 2020
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 7,937,774	$ 7,264,330
Right of use assets - finance leases	162,772	163,108
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,591,647)	(3,364,333)
Net property and equipment	4,346,127	3,899,997
Depreciation
Depreciation expense	635,900	569,300	$ 500,400
Capitalized interest
Interest costs capitalized	1,200	100	$ 2,700
Land
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	227,085	224,628
Land improvements
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 96,402	93,169
Depreciable Life	20 years
Buildings
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,446,126	1,329,309
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	$ 889,782	782,858
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property and equipment recorded at cost
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,984,534	4,487,665
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	$ 131,073	$ 183,593