Reconciliation of Assets Measured at Fair Value On Recurring Basis Using Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 9,615	$ 202,448
Settlements	(3,700)	(177,472)
Gains and (losses):
Reported in earnings	432	(25,674)
Reported in OCI		10,313
Ending Balance	6,347	9,615
ARS | State and local government
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	9,200	40,244
Settlements	(3,700)	(29,101)
Gains and (losses):
Reported in earnings		(2,399)
Reported in OCI		456
Ending Balance	5,500	9,200
ARS | Student Loan Backed
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		149,431
Settlements		(141,246)
Gains and (losses):
Reported in earnings		(16,755)
Reported in OCI		8,570
Auction rate preferred securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		12,773
Settlements		(7,125)
Gains and (losses):
Reported in earnings		(6,935)
Reported in OCI		1,287
ARS Call Option
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	415
Gains and (losses):
Reported in earnings	432	415
Ending Balance	$ 847	$ 415