Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 29, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,167,135	$ 1,142,309	$ 2,394,409	$ 2,377,471
Depreciation expense	21,428	18,848	42,092	37,948
Operating profit (loss)	59,761	63,203	146,059	153,278
Interest expense	(1,334)	(503)	(1,835)	(1,009)
Other income (expense)	54	177	166	520
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	58,481	62,877	144,390	152,789
Income tax expense	22,767	24,098	56,145	58,012
Income from continuing operations	35,714	38,779	88,245	94,777
Total assets	1,600,418	1,589,966	1,600,418	1,589,966	1,619,599
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,163,201	1,142,309	2,390,475	2,377,471
Depreciation expense	21,349	18,848	42,013	37,948
Operating profit (loss)	60,148	63,203	146,446	153,278
Interest expense	(544)	(503)	(1,045)	(1,009)
Other income (expense)	42	177	154	520
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	59,646	62,877	145,555	152,789
Income tax expense	22,767	24,098	56,145	58,012
Income from continuing operations	36,879	38,779	89,410	94,777
Total assets	1,550,883	1,589,966	1,550,883	1,589,966
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	376,790	348,109	752,271	710,281
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	193,603	177,360	362,940	350,582
UNITED STATES | Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	178,368	179,310	436,887	433,871
UNITED STATES | Home [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	173,240	179,071	357,131	363,243
UNITED STATES | Hardlines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	157,675	163,670	307,099	316,176
UNITED STATES | Other Merchandise Categories [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	83,525	94,789	174,147	203,318
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,934	0	3,934	0
Depreciation expense	79	0	79	0
Operating profit (loss)	(387)	0	(387)	0
Interest expense	(790)	0	(790)	0
Other income (expense)	12	0	12	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,165)	0	(1,165)	0
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations	(1,165)	0	(1,165)	0
Total assets	$ 49,535	$ 0	$ 49,535	$ 0