Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	May 01, 2010	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,669,574	$ 1,138,286	$ 1,167,135	$ 1,227,274	$ 1,518,943	$ 1,055,830	$ 1,142,309	$ 1,235,162	$ 5,202,269	$ 4,952,244	$ 4,726,772
Depreciation expense									90,280	78,606	74,904
Operating profit (loss)									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	114,749	4,241	35,714	52,531	110,025	17,745	38,779	55,998	207,235	222,547	201,370
Total assets	1,641,310				1,619,599				1,641,310	1,619,599
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									5,140,164	4,952,244	4,726,772
Depreciation expense									88,469	78,606	74,904
Operating profit (loss)									357,814	357,345	325,010
Interest expense									(2,739)	(2,573)	(1,840)
Other income (expense)									163	612	175
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									355,238	355,384	323,345
Income tax expense									134,657	132,837	121,975
Income from continuing operations									220,581	222,547	201,370
Total assets	1,586,035				1,619,599				1,586,035	1,619,599
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,571,771	1,452,783	1,456,370
UNITED STATES | Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									883,341	829,725	716,785
UNITED STATES | Home [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									799,494	783,860	717,744
UNITED STATES | Play n' Wear [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									776,445	811,750	806,247
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									683,498	642,220	591,321
UNITED STATES | Hardlines and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									425,615	431,906	438,305
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									62,105	0	0
Depreciation expense									1,811	0	0
Operating profit (loss)									(12,219)	0	0
Interest expense									(791)	0	0
Other income (expense)									(336)	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									(13,346)	0	0
Income tax expense									0	0	0
Income from continuing operations									(13,346)	0	0
Total assets	$ 55,275				$ 0				$ 55,275	$ 0