Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 30, 2011	Jan. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 15,815	$ 11,105	$ 12,206
Other Current Assets, deferred taxes	62,097	61,793	28,865
Other Liabilities, deferred taxes	528,826	511,878	526,134
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	240,000,000	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	67,824,963	67,234,567	67,108,812
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	150,000	150,000	150,000
Shares of common stock held in treasury, at cost (in shares)	249,331	168,893	168,856
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	8,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	8,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	8,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, total liquidation preference	$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000