Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 15, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013 center	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of distribution centers		4
Stock split, conversion ratio	2
Purchase obligations		$ 1,605,000,000
Merchandise inventory purchase orders		1,460,000,000
Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments		68,700,000	66,800,000
Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments included in prepaid expenses		19,941,000	18,689,000
Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments included in other long-term assets		48,821,000	48,059,000
Fair value of cash and cash equivalents considered as Level 1 inputs		646,800,000	649,800,000
Packaway inventory percentage of total inventories		47.00%	49.00%
Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment		185,491,000	159,892,000	160,693,000
Computer hardware and software costs, net of amortization		166,200,000	137,100,000
Interest capitalized amount		3,900,000	500,000	100,000
Lease loss liability		3,400,000	3,000,000
Book cash overdrafts		82,600,000	78,900,000
Advertising costs		$ 67,700,000	$ 59,900,000	$ 54,300,000
Weighted average shares that could potentially dilute basic EPS		53,900	5,900	6,400
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		3 years
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements and Buildings [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		20 years
Minimum [Member] | Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		3 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		12 years
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements and Buildings [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		40 years
Maximum [Member] | Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment estimated useful life, straight-line method		7 years
Ross Dress For Less [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores		1,091
Number of states company operates in		33
Number of stores closed		8	10
DD's Discounts [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores		108
Number of states company operates in		8
California [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of distribution centers		2
Number of buying offices in California		1
Number of warehouses		1
Percent of stores located in California		25.00%