QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 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	Jan. 31, 2011 Term Loan Facility	Apr. 30, 2011 Term Loan Facility	Mar. 21, 2011 2009 Revolving Credit Facility	Apr. 30, 2011 2009 Revolving Credit Facility	Jan. 28, 2012 Old Notes	Jan. 23, 2013 Old Notes
QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
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	19,105	14,389	12,405	13,526	25,981	14,498	13,790	14,600	59,425	68,869	66,006
Total	1,034,159	683,120	607,260	654,297	1,009,211	670,568	609,270	664,481	2,978,836	2,953,530	3,046,485
Costs and expenses:
Costs of merchandise sold	647,739	424,219	380,716	421,216	643,481	410,703	373,918	419,267	1,873,890	1,847,369	1,860,182
Selling, general and administrative	263,654	224,846	219,435	228,240	259,379	234,856	219,786	222,039	936,175	936,060	942,660
Depreciation and amortization	21,183	21,481	23,425	22,187	21,237	23,114	26,172	24,510	88,276	95,033	102,202
Amortization of lease-related interests	1,167	1,168	1,178	1,183	1,163	1,195	1,194	1,195	4,696	4,747	4,555
Impairment charges	5,088	593	119		3,481	157	49	3	5,800	3,690	1,738
Income from operations	95,328	10,813	(17,613)	(18,529)	80,470	543	(11,849)	(2,533)	69,999	66,631	135,148
Interest expense, net	21,565	19,995	20,706	20,573	21,502	21,938	22,762	23,305	82,839	89,507	112,301
Loss (gain) on exchange/extinguishment of debt	398	617	6,301	1,169	(18,179)			9,450	8,485	(8,729)
(Loss) income before income taxes	73,365	(9,799)	(44,620)	(40,271)	77,147	(21,395)	(34,611)	(35,288)	(21,325)	(14,147)	22,847
Income tax provision (benefit)	(1,049)	349	419	509	(1,048)	640	(2,311)	700	228	(2,019)	1,353
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
Per Share Amounts-Basic:
Net (loss) income (in dollars per share)	$ 3.74	$ (0.55)	$ (2.43)	$ (2.23)	$ 4.00	$ (1.21)	$ (1.78)	$ (2.01)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.67)	$ 1.14
Per Share Amounts-Diluted:
Net (loss) income (in dollars per share)	$ 3.71	$ (0.55)	$ (2.43)	$ (2.23)	$ 4.00	$ (1.21)	$ (1.78)	$ (2.01)	$ (1.16)	$ (0.67)	$ 1.12
Income from card breakage					6,453				2,551	6,453	0
Debt instrument
Early termination fee												3,750	3,750
Legal fees												14	14
Accelerated deferred financing fees												4,415	4,415	1,271	1,271	506
Principal amount of debt repurchased																46,000	65,000
Length of reporting period	98 days				91 days				371 days	364 days	364 days
Impairment charges	$ 4,338				$ 925				$ 5,050	$ 1,134	$ 1,738