SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Deferred Financing Fees
Unamortized deferred financing fees	$ 12,868				$ 18,708				$ 12,868	$ 18,708
Deferred financing fees amortized to expense									6,610	8,690	9,323
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales	1,015,054	668,731	594,855	640,771	983,230	656,070	595,480	649,881	2,919,411	2,884,661	2,980,479
Other Income
Signing bonus recorded as deferred income									50,000
Deferred income amortization period									7 years
Advertising
Advertising expenses, net of vender allowances									129,349	145,616	138,805
Prepaid advertising costs	9,062				6,336				9,062	6,336
Gift and Merchandise Cards
Period after which likelihood of redemption is remote									60 months
Income from card breakage					6,453				2,551	6,453	0
Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share
Net (loss) income	74,414	(10,148)	(45,039)	(40,780)	78,195	(22,035)	(32,300)	(35,988)	(21,553)	(12,128)	21,494
Less: Income allocated to participating securities											(1,447)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders									(21,553)	(12,128)	20,047
Weighted average common shares outstanding									18,528,169	18,091,286	17,642,061
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ 3.74	$ (0.55)	$ (2.43)	$ (2.23)	$ 4.00	$ (1.21)	$ (1.78)	$ (2.01)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.67)	$ 1.14
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Common Share
Net (loss) income	74,414	(10,148)	(45,039)	(40,780)	78,195	(22,035)	(32,300)	(35,988)	(21,553)	(12,128)	21,494
Less: Income allocated to participating securities											(1,428)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders									(21,553)	(12,128)	20,066
Weighted average common shares outstanding									18,528,169	18,091,286	17,642,061
Common shares issuable - stock options											255,807
Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution									18,528,169	18,091,286	17,897,868
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	$ 3.71	$ (0.55)	$ (2.43)	$ (2.23)	$ 4.00	$ (1.21)	$ (1.78)	$ (2.01)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.67)	$ 1.12
Women's Apparel
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									708,411	706,965	763,926
Home
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									505,452	505,382	499,143
Cosmetics
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									418,609	405,588	390,451
Men's Apparel
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									339,283	337,035	357,340
Accessories
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									285,144	278,220	290,460
Footwear
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									273,671	255,150	254,835
Children's Apparel
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									196,673	197,990	209,048
Intimate Apparel
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									114,863	116,833	126,970
Juniors' Apparel
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									67,090	72,592	79,449
Other
Net sales and revenue recognition
Net Sales									$ 10,215	$ 8,906	$ 8,857