Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 5,202,269	$ 4,952,244	$ 4,726,772
Cost of sales	3,131,862	2,939,793	2,807,466
Gross margin	2,070,407	2,012,451	1,919,306
Selling and administrative expenses	1,634,532	1,576,500	1,532,356
Depreciation expense	90,280	78,606	74,904
Gain on sale of real estate	0	0	(12,964)
Operating profit	345,595	357,345	325,010
Interest expense	(3,530)	(2,573)	(1,840)
Other income (expense)	(173)	612	175
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	341,892	355,384	323,345
Income tax expense	134,657	132,837	121,975
Income from continuing operations	207,235	222,547	201,370
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit	(171)	(23)	(1,001)
Net income	$ 207,064	$ 222,524	$ 200,369
Earnings per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 3.03	$ 2.87	$ 2.47
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Earnings per common share - basic	$ 3.03	$ 2.87	$ 2.45
Earnings per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 2.99	$ 2.83	$ 2.44
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 2.98	$ 2.83	$ 2.42