Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,294,481	$ 1,227,274
Depreciation expense	25,288	20,664
Operating profit (loss)	68,842	86,298
Interest expense	(336)	(501)
Other income (expense)	37	112
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	68,543	85,909
Income tax expense	27,763	33,378
Income from continuing operations	40,780	52,531
Total assets	1,676,805		1,641,310
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,262,235	1,227,274
Depreciation expense	24,424	20,664
Operating profit (loss)	74,995	86,298
Interest expense	(336)	(501)
Other income (expense)	0	112
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	74,659	85,909
Income tax expense	27,763	33,378
Income from continuing operations	46,896	52,531
Total assets	1,615,420		1,586,035
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	377,933	375,481
UNITED STATES | Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	286,904	258,519
UNITED STATES | Home [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	191,177	183,891
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	173,405	169,337
UNITED STATES | Play n' Wear [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	134,087	144,919
UNITED STATES | Hardlines and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	98,729	95,127
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	32,246	0
Depreciation expense	864	0
Operating profit (loss)	(6,153)	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other income (expense)	37	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(6,116)	0
Income tax expense	0	0
Income from continuing operations	(6,116)	0
Total assets	$ 61,385		$ 55,275