Property and equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 1,601,175	$ 1,482,162
Less: Accumulated Depreciation	(722,870)	(616,947)
Total Property and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation	878,305	865,215
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	162,849	162,985
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	361,028	358,631
Building | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	20 years
Building | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	40 years
Store Fixtures and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	503,736	435,783
Store Fixtures and Equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	3 years
Store Fixtures and Equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	10 years
Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	149,322	141,630
Software | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	3 years
Software | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	5 years
Leasehold Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful Lives	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Property and equipment	405,199	374,378
Construction in Progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 19,041	$ 8,755