Loans, overdrafts and long-term debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2015	Jul. 14, 2016	Jul. 13, 2016	Jan. 30, 2016	May 19, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of financing costs			$ 1,600,000	$ 1,600,000
Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity					$ 700,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Capitalized fees, current	$ 1,400,000		1,400,000
Capitalized fees	2,600,000		2,600,000
Accumulated amortization of noncurrent deferred finance costs	600,000	$ 300,000	600,000	300,000			$ 400,000
Amortization of financing costs	100,000	100,000	200,000	200,000
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 14,800,000	21,900,000	$ 14,800,000	21,900,000			28,800,000
Weighted average interest rate	1.54%		1.54%
Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized fees, current	$ 700,000		$ 700,000
Capitalized fees	6,200,000		6,200,000
Accumulated amortization of noncurrent deferred finance costs	2,300,000	1,200,000	2,300,000	1,200,000			1,800,000
Amortization of financing costs	$ 200,000	$ 200,000	$ 500,000	$ 400,000
Weighted average interest rate	1.71%	1.45%	1.71%	1.45%
Face amount	$ 357,500,000		$ 357,500,000
Securitization Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized fees, current	600,000		600,000
Capitalized fees	3,400,000		3,400,000
Accumulated amortization of noncurrent deferred finance costs	2,900,000	$ 1,600,000	2,900,000	$ 1,600,000			2,400,000
Amortization of financing costs	$ 200,000	$ 300,000	$ 500,000	$ 700,000
Weighted average interest rate	1.92%	1.54%	1.92%	1.54%
Debt instrument, maturity period			2 years
Signet UK Finance plc | Senior Unsecured Notes Due in 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized fees	$ 7,000,000		$ 7,000,000
Accumulated amortization of noncurrent deferred finance costs	1,500,000	$ 800,000	1,500,000	$ 800,000			$ 1,200,000
Amortization of financing costs	100,000	$ 100,000	300,000	$ 300,000
Face amount	$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate								4.70%
Year One | Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly repayment rate	5.00%		5.00%
Year Two | Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly repayment rate	7.50%		7.50%
Year Three | Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly repayment rate	10.00%		10.00%
Year Four | Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly repayment rate	12.50%		12.50%
Year Five | Credit Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly repayment rate	15.00%		15.00%