Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	May 01, 2011
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 16,720	$ 15,744	$ 13,484
Other current assets, deferred taxes	53,748	53,645	69,369
Other Assets:
Other assets, deferred taxes	4,938	11,989	7,805
Liabilities:
Other liabilities, deferred taxes	509,081	507,023	561,956
Stockholders' Equity:
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)	70,678,505	68,297,773	67,552,626
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)	318,154	249,531	200,987
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
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)	4,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred Stock, total liquidation preference	$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000