Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012 Year Segment Store	Jan. 29, 2011 Store	Jan. 30, 2010 Store
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	1
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	$ 0	$ 1,248,000	$ 940,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		5,000,000	4,400,000
Loss recognized in other comprehensive income		3,800,000	3,500,000
Finite-lived impairment charges	0	0	0
Prepaid advertising expense	7,700,000	5,400,000
Advertising expense	73,100,000	64,900,000	60,900,000
Revenue related to gift card breakage	6,500,000	5,500,000	6,800,000
Asset impairment charges	$ 20,730,000	$ 17,980,000	$ 18,000,000
Number of M+O stores impaired		18	10
Finite intangibles, useful life, minimum (in years)	15
Finite intangibles, useful life, maximum (in years)	25