Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 23,191,455	$ 21,942,193	$ 20,288,444
Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs	16,854,249	16,040,461	14,968,429
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,890,144	3,710,053	3,328,944
Provision (credit) for Computer Intrusion related costs		(11,550)
Interest expense, net	35,648	39,137	39,509
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	2,411,414	2,164,092	1,951,562
Provision for income taxes	915,324	824,562	737,990
Income from continuing operations	1,496,090	1,339,530	1,213,572
Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		3,611
Net income	$ 1,496,090	$ 1,343,141	$ 1,213,572
Basic earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.97	$ 1.67	$ 1.45
Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$ 0.01
Net income	$ 1.97	$ 1.68	$ 1.45
Weighted average common shares-basic	761,109	800,291	835,592
Diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations	$ 1.93	$ 1.65	$ 1.42
Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Net income	$ 1.93	$ 1.65	$ 1.42
Weighted average common shares-diluted	773,772	812,826	855,239
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.38	$ 0.30	$ 0.24