Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Oct. 27, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,134,205	$ 1,138,286	$ 3,646,723	$ 3,532,695
Depreciation expense	26,590	22,873	78,149	64,965
Operating profit (loss)	(6,692)	8,906	101,494	154,965
Interest expense	(1,491)	(922)	(2,722)	(2,757)
Other income (expense)	46	(219)	45	(53)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(8,137)	7,765	98,817	152,155
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,149)	3,524	41,935	59,669
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(5,988)	4,241	56,882	92,486
Total assets	2,064,902		2,064,902		1,641,310
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,095,180	1,116,756	3,540,438	3,507,231
Depreciation expense	26,006	22,384	75,898	64,397
Operating profit (loss)	(2,383)	15,788	115,239	162,234
Interest expense	(1,490)	(921)	(2,721)	(1,966)
Other income (expense)	2	9	2	163
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(3,871)	14,876	112,520	160,431
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,149)	3,524	41,935	59,669
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(1,722)	11,352	70,585	100,762
Total assets	1,991,399		1,991,399		1,586,035
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	387,374	384,443	1,153,503	1,136,713
UNITED STATES | Furniture [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	212,914	210,440	681,437	647,327
UNITED STATES | Home [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	190,662	196,962	560,099	554,093
UNITED STATES | Play n' Wear [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	134,808	144,887	396,785	423,658
UNITED STATES | Hardlines and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	96,515	100,030	307,830	302,505
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	72,907	79,994	440,784	442,935
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	39,025	21,530	106,285	25,464
Depreciation expense	584	489	2,251	568
Operating profit (loss)	(4,309)	(6,882)	(13,745)	(7,269)
Interest expense	(1)	(1)	(1)	(791)
Other income (expense)	44	(228)	43	(216)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(4,266)	(7,111)	(13,703)	(8,276)
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(4,266)	(7,111)	(13,703)	(8,276)
Total assets	$ 73,503		$ 73,503		$ 55,275