Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jan. 29, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,981	$ 200,176	$ 293,977	$ 197,866
Merchandise inventories	749,087	721,887	689,223
Other current assets	86,852	78,139	83,492
Deferred income taxes, net	99,407	85,472	66,434
Total current assets	1,074,327	1,085,674	1,133,126
Property and equipment, net	872,070	875,431	872,372
Deferred income taxes, net	121,602	140,455	161,070
Other assets	24,816	26,905	28,583
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	0	0	0
TOTAL ASSETS	2,092,815	2,128,465	2,195,151
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable	132,990	115,893	143,593
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	263,993	273,347	220,078
Current portion of long-term debt	8,905	7,472	148,464
Total current liabilities	405,888	396,712	512,135
Long-term debt	374,348	367,962	364,132
Other long-term liabilities	161,389	157,007	138,050
Investment by and advances from parent	0	0	0
Shareholders' equity	1,151,190	1,206,784	1,180,834
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	2,092,815	2,128,465	2,195,151
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	134,718	195,449	284,076	190,007
Total current assets	134,718	195,449	284,076
Deferred income taxes, net	111,927	104,343	98,312
Other assets	8,204	12,171	12,171
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	1,229,701	1,221,270	1,252,162
TOTAL ASSETS	1,484,550	1,533,233	1,646,721
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	3,936	3,935	8,456
Current portion of long-term debt			141,557
Total current liabilities	3,936	3,935	150,013
Long-term debt	329,424	322,514	315,874
Shareholders' equity	1,151,190	1,206,784	1,180,834
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	1,484,550	1,533,233	1,646,721
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,263	4,727	9,901	7,859
Merchandise inventories	749,087	721,887	689,223
Other current assets	86,852	78,139	83,492
Deferred income taxes, net	99,407	85,472	66,434
Total current assets	939,609	890,225	849,050
Property and equipment, net	872,070	875,431	872,372
Deferred income taxes, net	9,675	36,112	62,758
Other assets	16,612	14,734	16,412
TOTAL ASSETS	1,837,966	1,816,502	1,800,592
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable	132,990	115,893	143,593
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	260,057	269,412	211,622
Current portion of long-term debt	8,905	7,472	6,907
Total current liabilities	401,952	392,777	362,122
Long-term debt	44,924	45,448	48,258
Other long-term liabilities	161,389	157,007	138,050
Investment by and advances from parent	1,229,701	1,221,270	1,252,162
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	1,837,966	1,816,502	1,800,592
Consolidation Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Total current assets	0	0	0
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries	(1,229,701)	(1,221,270)	(1,252,162)
TOTAL ASSETS	(1,229,701)	(1,221,270)	(1,252,162)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total current liabilities	0	0	0
Investment by and advances from parent	(1,229,701)	(1,221,270)	(1,252,162)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ (1,229,701)	$ (1,221,270)	$ (1,252,162)