Basis of presentation and accounting policies (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012
Impairment of long-lived assets
Minimum period for which stores are open to be reviewed for impairment	3 years
Impairment charges included in SG&A expense	$ 500,000	$ 2,700,000	$ 1,000,000
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0	0
Accrued expenses and other
Compensation and benefits	47,909,000	76,981,000
Insurance	84,697,000	86,189,000
Taxes (other than taxes on income)	104,990,000	89,329,000
Other	130,982,000	104,939,000
Accrued expenses and other	368,578,000	357,438,000
Operating leases and related liabilities
Deferred rent liability	49,500,000	43,600,000
Contingent rent liability	6,000,000	7,700,000
Noncurrent other liabilities
Compensation and benefits	17,604,000	18,404,000
Insurance	145,162,000	137,451,000
Income tax related reserves	18,802,000	23,383,000
Deferred gain on sale leaseback	62,693,000
Other	52,285,000	46,161,000
Noncurrent other liabilities	$ 296,546,000	$ 225,399,000