RETIREMENT AND BENEFIT PLANS Benefit Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2013	Jan. 29, 2012	Jan. 30, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit payments	$ (14,456)	$ (12,696)
Actuarial loss on retirement and benefit plans	28,142	76,120	4,534
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	359,727	289,942
Service cost	15,315	11,160
Interest cost	17,974	17,391	16,339
Benefit payments	(14,456)	(12,696)
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	0	0
Plan settlements	0	0
Medicare subsidy	0	0
Actuarial loss on retirement and benefit plans	27,835	53,930
Balance at end of year	406,395	359,727	289,942
SERP Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	71,717	59,734
Service cost	3,579	3,069
Interest cost	3,366	3,602	3,127
Benefit payments	(2,674)	(4,984)
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	0	0
Plan settlements	(6,977)	0
Medicare subsidy	0	0
Actuarial loss on retirement and benefit plans	5,850	10,296
Balance at end of year	74,861	71,717	59,734
Postretirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	18,247	17,781
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	798	1,018	1,090
Benefit payments	0	0
Benefit payments, net of retiree contributions	(1,959)	(1,800)
Plan settlements	0	0
Medicare subsidy	56	107
Actuarial loss on retirement and benefit plans	(1,106)	1,141
Balance at end of year	$ 16,036	$ 18,247	$ 17,781