Common stock transactions (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2013	Feb. 03, 2012
Common stock transactions
Aggregate purchase price	$ 620,052,000	$ 671,459,000	$ 186,597,000
Common Stock
Common stock transactions
Shares acquired under share repurchase program	11,037	14,394	4,960
Aggregate purchase price	9,657,000	12,595,000	4,340,000
Common Stock \| Pursuant to Authorized Repurchase Program
Common stock transactions
Common stock repurchase authorization	2,000,000,000
Remaining authorization available under the common stock repurchase program	1,020,000,000
Shares acquired under share repurchase program	11,000	14,400	4,900
Aggregate purchase price	$ 620,100,000	$ 671,400,000	$ 185,000,000

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Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount remaining of a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

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