Organization and principal accounting policies - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015 state	Aug. 01, 2015	May. 02, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015 Segment state	Nov. 01, 2014	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment					5
Number of states in which entity operates		50			50
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Percent of annual sales		20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Minimum
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Operating income expected in fourth quarter							45.00%
Maximum
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Operating income expected in fourth quarter							55.00%
Sterling Jewelers | Minimum
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Operating income expected in fourth quarter							40.00%
Sterling Jewelers | Maximum
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Operating income expected in fourth quarter							45.00%
Theft Protection | Zale Jewelry
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Product warranty					2 years
Lifetime Warranty | Sterling Jewelers
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Deferred revenue recognition period of extended service plan sales		2 years			17 years
Revenue Recognized Percentage In Relation To Costs Expected To Be Incurred Within First Two Years				42.00%	57.00%	45.00%		45.00%
Lifetime Warranty | Zale Jewelry
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue Recognized Percentage In Relation To Costs Expected To Be Incurred Within First Two Years					69.00%	69.00%		69.00%
Product warranty					10 years
Watch Warranty | Zale Jewelry
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Product warranty					2 years
Watch Warranty | Zale
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Product warranty					2 years
Breakage Warranty | Zale Jewelry
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Product warranty					1 year
Breakage Warranty | Piercing Pagoda
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Product warranty					1 year
Jewelry Replacement Plan | Sterling Jewelers
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Deferred revenue recognition period of extended service plan sales					3 years
Forecast
Organization and critical accounting policies [Abstract]
Percent of annual sales	40.00%