RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS Benefit Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2012	Jan. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit payments	$ (15,405)	$ (14,270)
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	319,048	283,639
Business acquisitions	0	0
Service cost	14,138	9,216
Interest cost	19,183	17,843	16,937
Benefit payments	(15,405)	(14,270)
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	0	0
Plan amendments	0	9
Medicare subsidy	0	0
Actuarial loss (gain)	62,298	22,611
End of year	399,262	319,048	283,639
SERP Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	30,628	15,205
Business acquisitions	0	15,693
Service cost	98	90
Interest cost	1,810	1,623	958
Benefit payments	(2,275)	(2,045)
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	0	0
Plan amendments	0	0
Medicare subsidy	0	0
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,921	62
End of year	32,182	30,628	15,205
Postretirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Beginning of year	17,781	22,668
Business acquisitions	0	0
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	1,018	1,090	1,459
Benefit payments	0	0
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(1,800)	(2,122)
Plan amendments	0	0
Medicare subsidy	107	114
Actuarial loss (gain)	1,141	(3,969)
End of year	$ 18,247	$ 17,781	$ 22,668