Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 13,955	$ 15,744	$ 12,764
Other current assets, deferred taxes	53,150	53,645	69,049
Other Assets:
Other assets, deferred taxes	5,315	11,989	7,583
Liabilities:
Other liabilities, deferred taxes	502,090	507,023	549,208
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	240,000,000	240,000,000	240,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,951,932	68,297,773	67,798,396
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	150,000	150,000	150,000
Shares of common stock held in treasury, at cost (in shares)	409,440	249,531	248,181
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	8,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	4,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,000	8,000	8,000
Preferred Stock, total liquidation preference	$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000