Retirement Plans and Other Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012 Hour	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of future increases in medical plan costs to be incurred by retirees	100.00%
Investments in real estate, independent appraisal and adjustment period of property	5 years
Minimum eligible service hours to qualified savings plans	1,000
Percentage of employer's contribution for the first 4% of employee's contribution	25.00%
Percentage of employee contribution for which the employer will contribute a matching 25%	4.00%
Employer's matching vesting period	5 years
Employer's matching contribution	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 3,000,000
U.S. Qualified Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Market-related value of plan assets	476,000,000	493,000,000
Accumulated projected benefit obligation	619,000,000	581,000,000
Target composition of plan assets, fixed income securities	55.00%
Target composition of plan assets, equity securities	45.00%
Employer's contribution	25,000,000
SERP Medical Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated projected benefit obligation	9,000,000
Canadian Qualified Pension Plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target composition of plan assets, fixed income securities	95.00%
Target composition of plan assets, equity securities	5.00%
Employer's contribution	3,000,000
Savings Plan | PUERTO RICO
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee contribution to qualified savings plans, maximum	$ 10,000
Minimum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Gains and losses in fair value related to equities of plan assets, recognition period	3 years
Eligible age to qualified savings plans	21
Eligible service year to qualified savings plans	1 year
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Gains and losses in fair value related to equities of plan assets, recognition period	5 years
Maximum | Savings Plan | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee contribution to qualified savings plans, percentage	40.00%