RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 29, 2012	Jan. 30, 2011
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Current liabilities	$ (4,632)	$ (3,753)
Non-current liabilities	(126,125)	(63,485)
Net amount recognized on balance sheet	(130,757)	(67,238)
SERP Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Current liabilities	(2,627)	(2,295)
Non-current liabilities	(29,555)	(28,333)
Net amount recognized on balance sheet	(32,182)	(30,628)
Postretirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Current liabilities	(2,028)	(2,014)
Non-current liabilities	(16,219)	(15,767)
Net amount recognized on balance sheet	$ (18,247)	$ (17,781)