CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (12,128)	$ 21,494	$ (4,055)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	95,033	102,202	111,635
Amortization of lease-related interests	4,747	4,555	4,866
Impairment charges	3,690	1,738	5,883
Share-based compensation expense	5,261	7,795	5,082
(Gain) loss on sale of property, fixtures and equipment	(91)	(2,064)	101
Reclassifications of other comprehensive loss	3,216	7,470	10,651
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	(8,729)		678
Amortization of deferred financing costs	8,690	9,323	5,551
Amortization of deferred gain on sale of proprietary credit card portfolio	(2,414)	(2,414)	(2,414)
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(2,500)	1,605	4,183
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in merchandise inventories	(17,180)	(22,926)	6,683
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,386	9,272	25,751
Decrease in other long-term assets	396	2,617	1,655
Increase in accounts payable	23,405	6,045	22,655
Decrease in accrued payroll and benefits and accrued expenses	(21,307)	(1,391)	(5,071)
(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable	(137)	137	(62)
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities	10,459	(4,323)	262
Net cash provided by operating activities	99,797	141,135	194,034
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(67,235)	(46,268)	(32,346)
Proceeds from sale of property, fixtures and equipment	2,781	2,603	110
Net cash used in investing activities	(64,454)	(43,665)	(32,236)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(806,138)	(710,871)	(899,894)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	773,906	610,375	765,051
Cash dividends paid	(2,872)		(866)
Restricted shares forfeited in lieu of payroll taxes	(3,584)	(4,107)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	398
Deferred financing costs paid	(5,931)	(717)	(24,013)
Increase (decrease) in book overdraft balances	6,811	5,267	(2,873)
Net cash used in financing activities	(37,410)	(100,053)	(162,595)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(2,067)	(2,583)	(797)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,339	18,922	19,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 14,272	$ 16,339	$ 18,922