Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 17,437	$ 15,744	$ 15,815
Other current assets, deferred taxes	53,530	53,645	68,761
Other Assets:
Other assets, deferred taxes	3,671	11,989	7,364
Liabilities:
Other liabilities, deferred taxes	522,676	507,023	542,854
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)	71,037,023	68,297,773	67,824,963
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)	413,301	249,531	249,331
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