SEGMENT DATA (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Aug. 03, 2012	May 04, 2012	Feb. 03, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012 segment	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
SEGMENT DATA
Number of operating segments									8
Number of reportable business segments									3
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales	$ 339,294	$ 504,076	$ 691,485	$ 423,835	$ 368,094	$ 501,045	$ 631,601	$ 383,213	$ 1,958,690	$ 1,883,953	$ 1,690,378
Earnings (loss) before income taxes									196,262	174,826	141,268
Total assets	935,199				870,663				935,199	870,663	885,622
Capital expenditures									43,242	57,447	48,699
Depreciation and amortization									53,634	48,506	45,011
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Interest expense									(16,906)	(16,970)	(17,113)
Other income									7,555	7,309	7,115
Earnings before income taxes									196,262	174,826	141,268
Professional
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales									1,329,504	1,239,068	1,085,457
Intersegment gross sales									37,324	35,539	17,271
Earnings (loss) before income taxes									232,104	205,009	173,752
Total assets	527,159				497,388				527,159	497,388	437,987
Capital expenditures									29,313	43,933	34,017
Depreciation and amortization									34,876	31,380	27,261
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes									232,104	205,009	173,752
Residential
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales									607,435	623,889	589,677
Intersegment gross sales									26	3,560	487
Earnings (loss) before income taxes									57,889	54,410	57,956
Total assets	169,899				202,222				169,899	202,222	173,919
Capital expenditures									4,164	5,615	8,599
Depreciation and amortization									10,919	9,846	10,259
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Earnings before income taxes									57,889	54,410	57,956
Other
Financial information concerning the company's reportable segments
Net sales									21,751	20,996	15,244
Intersegment gross sales									(37,350)	(39,099)	(17,758)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes									(93,731)	(84,593)	(90,440)
Total assets	238,141				171,053				238,141	171,053	273,716
Capital expenditures									9,765	7,899	6,083
Depreciation and amortization									7,839	7,280	7,491
Components of the loss before income taxes included in "Other"
Corporate expenses									(81,376)	(72,726)	(74,758)
Interest expense									(16,906)	(16,970)	(17,113)
Other income									4,551	5,103	1,431
Earnings before income taxes									$ (93,731)	$ (84,593)	$ (90,440)