Belk (BLKIA) 10-K 14 Apr 15 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Aug. 02, 2014	Apr. 03, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	belk
Entity Registrant Name	BELK INC
Entity Central Index Key	1051771
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$584,413,848
Common Classa And Classb [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			39,371,245
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			38,300,291
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			1,070,954

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$4,109,561	$4,038,118	$3,956,866
Cost of goods sold (including occupancy, distribution and buying expenses)	2,770,201	2,722,766	2,636,140
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,064,348	1,023,266	985,225
Gain on sale of property and equipment	7,328	2,349	4,168
Asset impairment and exit costs	10,980	6,108	-268
Operating income	271,360	288,327	339,937
Interest expense	-46,720	-44,604	-49,481
Interest income	115	154	175
Loss on extinguishment of debt			-127
Income before income taxes	224,755	243,877	290,504
Income tax expense	78,693	85,344	102,134
Net income	$146,062	$158,533	$188,370
Basic net income per share	$3.67	$3.82	$4.34
Diluted net income per share	$3.66	$3.79	$4.31
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	39,809,730	41,541,176	43,435,314
Diluted	39,912,606	41,812,750	43,712,263

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$146,062	$158,533	$188,370
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of $740 income taxes for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2013.			945
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of ($15,400), $18,200 and $3,794 income taxes for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015, February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.	-26,095	30,659	6,391
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-26,095	30,659	7,336
Total comprehensive income	$119,967	$189,192	$195,706

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Income taxes on unrealized gain on interest rate swaps			$740
Income taxes on defined benefit plan adjustments	($15,400)	$18,200	$3,794

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$294,359	$295,334
Accounts receivable, net	60,575	55,340
Merchandise inventory	959,645	987,778
Prepaid income taxes, expenses and other current assets	27,323	28,964
Total current assets	1,341,902	1,367,416
Property and equipment, net	1,274,146	1,158,066
Other assets	38,443	39,156
Total assets	2,654,491	2,564,638
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	277,212	291,948
Accrued liabilities	254,084	239,658
Accrued income taxes	26,780	13,652
Deferred income taxes	32,663	33,422
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	108,736	8,084
Total current liabilities	699,475	586,764
Deferred income taxes	17,721	16,613
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current installments	318,991	385,673
Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	256,558	217,343
Total liabilities	1,292,745	1,206,393
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock, 400 million shares authorized and 39.3 and 41.0 million shares issued and outstanding as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.	393	410
Paid-in capital	94,877	178,362
Retained earnings	1,428,894	1,315,796
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-162,418	-136,323
Total stockholders' equity	1,361,746	1,358,245
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$2,654,491	$2,564,638

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,300,000	41,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	39,300,000	41,000,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Jan. 28, 2012	$1,236,230	$449	$364,590	$1,045,509	($174,318)
Balance, shares at Jan. 28, 2012		44,916
Net income	188,370			188,370
Other comprehensive income	7,336				7,336
Cash dividends	-76,616			-76,616
Issuance of stock-based compensation	-4,352		-4,352
Stock-based compensation expense	12,827		12,827
Common stock issued	873	3	870
Common stock issued, shares		303
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	-102,047	-25	-102,022
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, shares		-2,501
Balance at Feb. 02, 2013	1,262,621	427	271,913	1,157,263	-166,982
Balance, shares at Feb. 02, 2013		42,718
Net income	158,533			158,533
Other comprehensive income	30,659				30,659
Issuance of stock-based compensation	-397		-397
Stock-based compensation expense	7,967		7,967
Common stock issued	773	3	770
Common stock issued, shares		311
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	-101,911	-20	-101,891
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, shares		-2,038
Balance at Feb. 01, 2014	1,358,245	410	178,362	1,315,796	-136,323
Balance, shares at Feb. 01, 2014		40,991
Net income	146,062			146,062
Other comprehensive income	-26,095				-26,095
Cash dividends	-32,964			-32,964
Issuance of stock-based compensation	934		934
Stock-based compensation expense	8,886		8,886
Common stock issued	1,002	2	1,000
Common stock issued, shares		234
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	-94,324	-19	-94,305
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, shares		-1,961
Balance at Jan. 31, 2015	$1,361,746	$393	$94,877	$1,428,894	($162,418)
Balance, shares at Jan. 31, 2015		39,264

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$146,062	$158,533	$188,370
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairment and exit costs	10,980	6,108	-268
Deferred income tax expense	18,276	43,320	40,479
Depreciation and amortization expense	154,931	137,069	122,622
Stock-based compensation expense	8,124	11,021	17,572
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	-4,699	280	-1,539
Amortization of deferred gain on sale and leaseback	-2,629	-2,629	-2,629
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs	559	819	833
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable, net	-5,235	-23,335	7,427
Merchandise inventory	28,133	21,909	-122,658
Prepaid income taxes, expenses and other assets	915	-2,824	-16,193
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-4,527	38,074	73,091
Accrued income taxes	13,128	-8,682	1,650
Retirement obligations and other liabilities	-81	-12,177	-8,700
Net cash provided by operating activities	363,937	367,486	300,057
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-231,324	-224,228	-182,773
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	9,915	610	4,441
Net cash used by investing activities	-221,409	-223,618	-178,332
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-8,872	-8,474	-126,105
Dividends paid	-32,964		-76,616
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	-94,324	-101,911	-102,047
Stock compensation tax benefit	357	1,644	1,858
Cash paid for withholding taxes in lieu of stock-based compensation shares	-6,349	-8,970	-6,210
Deferred financing costs	-1,351
Proceeds from financing costs			300
Net cash used by financing activities	-143,503	-117,711	-308,820
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-975	26,157	-187,095
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	295,334	269,177	456,272
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	294,359	295,334	269,177
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	47,093	48,417	59,536
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	27,040	27,115	30,458
Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:
Increase in property and equipment through accrued purchases	7,866	17,199	2,589
Increase in property and equipment through assumption of capital leases	23,932	2,479	2,249
Increase in property and equipment through financing obligations	$18,910

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	(1)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Belk, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Belk”) operate retail department stores in 16 states primarily in the southern United States. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to each January 31st. The fiscal year end dates and number of weeks in fiscal years 2013 – 2016 are reflected in the table below.
	Fiscal Year		End Date			Weeks
	2016			January 30, 2016			52
	2015			January 31, 2015			52
	2014			February 1, 2014			52
	2013			February 2, 2013			53
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Significant estimates are required as part of determining stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization and recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets, valuation of inventory, establishing store closing and other reserves, self-insurance reserves and calculating retirement obligations and expense.
	Revenues
	The Company’s store and eCommerce operations have been aggregated into one reporting segment due to their similar economic characteristics, products, customers and methods of distribution. These operations are expected to continue to have similar characteristics and long-term financial performance in future periods.
	The following table gives information regarding the percentage of revenues contributed by each merchandise area for each of the last three fiscal years. There were no material changes between fiscal years, as reflected in the table below.
	Merchandise Areas		Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year
			2015			2014			2013
	Women’s			33	%		32	%		33	%
	Cosmetics, Shoes and Accessories			34	%		34	%		34	%
	Men’s			17	%		18	%		17	%
	Home			9	%		9	%		10	%
	Children’s			7	%		7	%		6	%
	Total			100	%		100	%		100	%
	Revenues include sales of merchandise and the net revenue received from leased departments of $2.1 million for fiscal year 2015 and $2.2 million for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. Sales from retail operations are recorded at the time of delivery and reported net of sales taxes and merchandise returns. The reserve for returns is calculated as a percentage of sales based on historical return percentages.
	The Company utilizes a customer loyalty program that issues certificates for discounts on future purchases to proprietary charge card customers based on their spending levels. The certificates are classified as a reduction to revenue as they are earned by the customers. The Company maintains a reserve liability for the estimated future redemptions of the certificates.
	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold is comprised principally of the cost of merchandise as well as occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Occupancy expenses include rent, utilities and real estate taxes. Distribution expenses include all costs associated with distribution facilities and eCommerce fulfillment centers. Buying expenses include payroll and travel expenses associated with the merchandise buying function.
	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses are comprised principally of payroll and benefits for retail and corporate employees, depreciation, advertising and other administrative expenses. SG&A expenses are reduced by proceeds from the credit card program agreement (“Program Agreement) between Belk and Synchrony Bank. In March 2013, the Program Agreement was amended, extending the expiration date from June 30, 2016 to December 31, 2017. This Program Agreement sets forth among other things the terms and conditions under which Synchrony Bank will issue credit cards to Belk’s customers. The Company is paid a percentage of net credit sales, as defined by the Program Agreement. Belk is required to perform certain duties, including receiving and remitting in-store payments on behalf of Synchrony Bank and receiving fees for these activities. These amounts totaled $93.0 million, $90.2 million and $85.9 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Gift Cards
	The Company issues gift cards which do not contain provisions for expiration or inactivity fees. At the time gift cards are sold, no revenue is recognized; rather, a liability is established for the face amount of the gift card. The liability is relieved and revenue is recognized when gift cards are redeemed for merchandise and/or services. The estimated values of gift cards expected to go unused are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as the remaining gift card values are redeemed, when there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws.
	Advertising
	Advertising costs, net of co-op recoveries from merchandise vendors, are expensed in the period in which the advertising event takes place and amounted to $164.8 million, $162.3 million and $164.1 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
	In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset based upon the future highest and best use of the impaired asset. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. The Company determines fair value of its retail locations primarily based on the present value of future cash flows based upon the future highest and best use of the asset.
	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents include liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less.
	Merchandise Inventory
	Inventories are valued using the lower of cost or market value, determined by the retail inventory method (“RIM”). Under RIM, inventory retail values are converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors for each merchandise department. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio for each merchandise department based on beginning inventory and the fiscal year purchase activity. Since the retail value of our inventory is adjusted on a regular basis to reflect current market conditions, our carrying value should approximate the lower of cost or market. RIM is an averaging method that is widely used in the retail industry due to its practicality. Inherent in the RIM calculation are certain significant management judgments and estimates including, among others, permanent markdowns and shrinkage, which may affect the ending inventory valuation at cost as well as the corresponding charge to cost of goods sold.
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment owned by the Company are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment leased by the Company under capital leases are stated at an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments less accumulated amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recorded utilizing straight-line and in certain circumstances accelerated methods, typically over the shorter of estimated asset lives or related lease terms. The Company amortizes leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated asset life or expected lease term that would include cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears, at the date the assets are placed in service, to be reasonably assured. The Company makes judgments in determining the estimated useful lives of its depreciable long-lived assets which are included in the consolidated financial statements. The estimate of useful lives is typically determined by the Company’s historical experience with the type of asset purchased.
	Intangibles
	Intangible assets are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” Leasehold intangibles, which represent the excess of fair value over the carrying value (assets) or the excess of carrying value over fair value (liabilities) of acquired leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the lease agreements. The lease term includes cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears to be reasonably assured. The lease intangibles are included in other current assets and accrued liabilities for the current portions and other assets and other noncurrent liabilities for the noncurrent portions. Customer relationships, which represent the value of customer relationships obtained in acquisitions or purchased, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life and are included in other assets. The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed by the Company’s management to assess the recoverability of the assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
	Rent Expense
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears, at the inception of the lease, to be reasonably assured. Developer incentives are recognized as a reduction to occupancy costs over the lease term. The lease term commences on the date when the Company gains control of the property.
	Vendor Allowances
	The Company receives allowances from its vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including markdown reimbursement programs. These vendor allowances are generally intended to offset the Company’s costs of selling the vendors’ products in our stores. Allowances are recognized in the period in which the Company completes its obligations under the vendor agreements. Most incentives are deducted from amounts owed to the vendor at the time the Company completes its obligations to the vendor or shortly thereafter.
	The following summarizes the types of vendor incentives and the Company’s applicable accounting policies:
		Ÿ		Advertising allowances — Represents reimbursement of advertising costs initially funded by the Company. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in the period that the advertising expense is incurred.
		Ÿ		Markdown allowances — Represent partial reimbursement of markdowns taken and/or to support the gross margins earned in connection with the sale of merchandise. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to cost of goods sold in the later of the period that the merchandise is marked down or the reimbursement is negotiated. Amounts received prior to recognizing the markdowns are recorded as a reduction to the cost of inventory.
		Ÿ		Payroll allowances — Represents reimbursement for payroll costs. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in the period that the payroll cost is incurred.
	Pension and Postretirement Obligations
	The Company utilizes significant assumptions, along with the actual employee census data, in determining its periodic pension and postretirement expense and obligations that are included in the consolidated financial statements. These assumptions include determining an appropriate discount rate and long-term rate of return on plan assets (in the case of the Pension Plan).
	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock based compensation under the guidelines of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” ASC 718 requires the Company to account for stock based compensation by using the grant date fair value of share awards and the estimated number of shares that will ultimately be issued in conjunction with each award.
	Self-Insurance Reserves
	The Company is responsible for the payment of workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile claims under certain dollar limits. The Company purchases insurance for workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile claims for amounts that exceed certain dollar limits. The Company records a liability for its obligation associated with incurred losses utilizing historical claims experience, demographic and severity factors and actuarial assumptions.
	The Company is responsible for the payment of medical and dental claims and records a liability for claims obligations in excess of amounts collected from associate premiums. Historical data on incurred claims along with estimated health and dental care trends are used to estimate the loss development factors to project the future development of incurred claims.
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. The annual effective tax rate is based on income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Significant judgment is required in determining annual tax expense and in evaluating tax positions. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The reserves (including the impact of the related interest and penalties) are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit.
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement bases and the respective tax bases of the assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company accrues interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense, while accruing penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense (benefit).
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which requires presentation in the financial statements of an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The Company adopted this guidance beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 when it was required. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which requires measurement of obligations within the scope of this guidance to be the sum of the amount agreed to pay on the basis of arrangement among co-obligors and any additional amounts expected to pay on behalf of co-obligors, in addition to disclosure of the nature and amount of the obligation. The Company adopted this guidance beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 when it was required. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Intangibles

Intangibles	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangibles	(2)    Intangibles
	Intangible assets are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.”
	Amortizing intangibles are comprised of the following:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Amortizing intangible assets:
	Favorable lease intangibles	$	9,571		$	9,960
	Accumulated amortization — favorable lease intangibles		(5,711	)		(5,431	)
	Credit card and customer list intangibles		18,746			18,746
	Accumulated amortization — credit card and customer list intangibles		(17,579	)		(16,413	)
	Other intangibles		5,277			5,277
	Accumulated amortization — other intangibles		(5,109	)		(4,717	)
	Net amortizing intangible assets	$	5,195		$	7,422
	Amortizing intangible liabilities:
	Unfavorable lease intangibles	$	(23,825	)	$	(23,825	)
	Accumulated amortization — unfavorable lease intangibles		11,205			9,869
	Net amortizing intangible liabilities	$	(12,620	)	$	(13,956	)
	The Company recorded net amortization expense related to amortizing intangibles of $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Asset_Impairment_and_Exit_Cost

Asset Impairment and Exit Costs	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Asset Impairment and Exit Costs	(3)    Asset Impairment and Exit Costs
	In fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded $7.2 million in impairment charges primarily to adjust a retail location’s net book value to fair value. The Company determines fair value of its retail locations primarily based on the present value of future cash flows. The Company also recorded $3.1 million in charges for real estate holding costs primarily due to $1.7 million in dark rent for one retail location, and a $0.5 million early termination fee for another retail location. The Company recorded $0.7 million in exit costs associated with the closing of eight retail locations.
	In fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded $5.0 million in impairment charges primarily to adjust two retail locations’ net book value to fair values. The Company also recorded $1.1 million in charges for real estate holding costs primarily due to a $0.7 million early termination fee for one retail location and $0.3 million to relocate two retail locations.
	In fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded $0.7 million in rent adjustments due to space reductions at two stores. These adjustments were partially offset by $0.3 million in asset impairment charges primarily to adjust two retail locations’ net book values to fair value, and a $0.2 million charge for exit costs primarily associated with the closing of two stores.
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the remaining reserve balance for post-closing real estate lease obligations was $2.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively. These balances are presented within accrued liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not anticipate incurring significant additional exit costs in connection with the store closings. The following is a summary of post-closing real estate lease obligations activity:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	686		$	1,422
	Charges and adjustments		2,977			1,210
	Utilization / payments		(1,520	)		(1,946	)
	Balance, end of year	$	2,143		$	686

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(4)    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the accumulated other comprehensive loss for defined benefit plans was $162.4 million and $136.3 million, respectively. These amounts are net of income taxes of $97.7 million and $82.3 million at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.
	In fiscal year 2015 and 2014, the Company reclassified $6.7 million and $8.2 million of amortization of defined benefit plan liabilities, net of $4.0 million and $4.9 million in income taxes, from accumulated comprehensive income to selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income, respectively.

Accounts_Receivable_Net

Accounts Receivable, Net	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Net	(5)    Accounts Receivable, Net
	Accounts receivable, net consists of:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable from vendors	$	37,276	$	34,902
	Credit card accounts receivable		19,768		16,759
	Other receivables		3,531		3,679
	Accounts receivable, net	$	60,575	$	55,340

Property_and_Equipment_net

Property and Equipment, net	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, net	(6)    Property and Equipment, net
	Details of property and equipment, net are as follows:
		Estimated	January 31,			February 1,
		Lives	2015			2014
		(in years)	(in thousands)
	Land		$	46,116		$	47,255
	Buildings	primarily 15-31.5		1,266,995			1,198,149
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	20-Mar		1,389,533			1,286,992
	Property under capital leases	20-May		101,579			80,075
	Construction in progress			56,346			32,735
				2,860,569			2,645,206
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			(1,586,423	)		(1,487,140	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	1,274,146		$	1,158,066
	The Company recorded depreciation and amortization related to property and equipment of $154.2 million, $136.5 million, and $122.3 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization of assets under capital lease was $66.8 million and $61.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.

Gain_on_Property_and_Equipment

Gain on Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Gain on Property and Equipment	(7)    Gain on Property and Equipment
	During fiscal year 2015, the Company recognized a $4.0 million gain associated with the sale of a former store location and a parcel of land the Company owned, $2.6 million of amortization of the deferred gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s headquarters building, and a $1.0 million gain for insurance proceeds in excess of the net book value of property damaged by floods, offset by losses primarily due to the abandonment of property.
	During fiscal year 2014, the Company recognized $2.6 million of amortization of the deferred gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s headquarters building, offset by losses primarily due to the abandonment of property.
	During fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized $2.6 million of amortization of the deferred gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s headquarters building located in Charlotte, NC, a $1.4 million gain associated with the sale of two former store locations and a parcel of land the Company owned, and a $1.0 million gain for insurance proceeds in excess of the net book value of property damaged by floods.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	(8)    Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$	48,012	$	45,752
	Gift card liability		46,833		42,721
	Advertising		15,374		26,421
	Accrued capital expenditures		32,993		25,584
	Sales returns allowance		24,417		23,293
	Taxes, other than income		23,807		20,405
	Rent		7,646		7,306
	Interest		7,466		7,285
	Self insurance reserves		7,062		6,126
	Belk reward card loyalty program		7,342		4,546
	Store closing reserves		1,015		686
	Other		32,117		29,533
	Accrued Liabilities	$	254,084	$	239,658

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings	(9)    Borrowings
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Senior notes		$	375,000		$	375,000
	Capital lease agreements through November 2029			52,727			18,757
				427,727			393,757
	Less current installments			(108,736	)		(8,084	)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current installments		$	318,991		$	385,673
	As of January 31, 2015, the annual maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations over the next five years are $108.7 million, $4.2 million, $128.3 million, $2.8 million, and $2.7 million, respectively. The Company made interest payments of $27.0 million, $27.1 million and $30.5 million, net of $1.2 million, $2.0 million and $1.7 million which was capitalized into property and equipment during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	On October 22, 2014, the Company refinanced its credit facility. Under the new credit facility, the Company increased the revolving line of credit to $500.0 million maturing in October 2019. The new credit facility allows for up to $100.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. The new credit facility contains restrictive covenants including leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. The Company’s calculated leverage ratio dictates the LIBOR spread that will be charged on outstanding borrowings in the subsequent quarter. The leverage ratio is calculated by dividing adjusted debt, which is the sum of the Company’s outstanding debt and rent expense multiplied by a factor of eight, by pre-tax income plus net interest expense and non-cash items, such as depreciation, amortization, and impairment expense. The maximum leverage ratio of 4:1 remains the same as under the previous facility. At the Company’s discretion, amounts outstanding under the credit facility bear interest based on either (1) current LIBOR plus the applicable spread which ranges from 0.875% to 1.75%, or (2) the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0% (the “Base Rate”), plus the applicable spread which ranges from 0.0% to 0.75%. The current applicable spread of 1.125% is based upon the calculated leverage ratio of 1.96 as of January 31, 2015. Previous dividend, share repurchase, and acquisition limitations were removed and changed under the new credit facility to pro forma covenant compliance. Pro forma covenant compliance would be reflective of the covenant calculations after giving effect for the applicable transaction. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at the end of fiscal year 2015 and does not anticipate non-compliance with any debt covenants for the next 12 months and foreseeable future. As of January 31, 2015, the Company had $14.0 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility and availability under the credit facility was $486.0 million.
	The senior notes have restrictive covenants that are similar to the Company’s credit facility, and had the following terms as of January 31, 2015:
	Amount				Type of Rate	Rate		Maturity Date
	(in millions)
	$	100.0			Fixed	5.31%			July 2015
		125			Fixed	6.20%			August 2017
		50			Fixed	5.70%			November 2020
		100			Fixed	5.21%			January 2022
	$	375.0
	In July 2014, the $100.0 million, 5.31% fixed rate senior note became due within twelve months and was reclassified from long-term to short-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet as of August 2, 2014.
	On January 30, 2013, the Company paid the $17.8 million, 20-year variable rate state bond facility, which bore interest at 0.20%, and would have matured in October 2025. In connection with the debt extinguishment, the Company expensed unamortized fees of $0.1 million related to the state bond facility and recognized this charge as a loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statement of income. Associated with this bond was an $18.0 million standby letter of credit outstanding under the credit facility, which was canceled upon payment of the $17.8 million state bond facility.
	On July 12, 2012, the Company paid, upon maturity, $80.0 million of its floating rate senior note and $20.0 million of its 5.05% fixed rate senior note. The $80.0 million floating rate senior note had an associated interest rate swap, with a fixed interest rate of 5.2%, designated as a cash flow hedge of variable interest payments.
	The debt facilities place certain restrictions on mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, sales of assets, indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, leases, liens, investments, dividends and distributions, exchange and issuance of capital stock and guarantees, and require maintenance of minimum financial ratios, which include a leverage ratio, consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio. These ratios are calculated exclusive of non-cash charges, such as fixed asset, goodwill and other intangible asset impairments.
	The Company may utilize derivative financial instruments (interest rate swap agreements) to manage the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. As of January 31, 2015, the Company did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding. The Company has not historically traded, and does not anticipate prospectively trading, in derivatives. Previous swap agreements were used to reduce the potential impact of increases in interest rates on variable rate debt.

Retirement_Obligations_and_Oth

Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities	(10)    Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities
	Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities are comprised of the following:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Pension liability	$	57,371	$	17,814
	Deferred compensation plans		33,867		33,904
	Post-retirement benefits		18,206		17,548
	Supplemental executive retirement plans		29,987		25,911
	Deferred gain on sale/leaseback		12,925		15,554
	Unfavorable lease liability		12,620		13,956
	Deferred rent		29,710		31,223
	Self-insurance reserves		12,583		14,468
	Developer incentive liability		15,197		16,869
	Income tax reserves		23,528		21,389
	Other noncurrent liabilities		10,564		8,707
	Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	$	256,558	$	217,343

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(11)    Leases
	The Company leases some of its stores, warehouse facilities and equipment. The majority of these leases have initial terms that will expire over the next 15 years. The leases usually contain renewal options at the lessee’s discretion and provide for payment by the lessee of real estate taxes and other expenses and, in certain instances, contingent rentals determined on the basis of a percentage of sales in excess of stipulated minimums.
	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases, net of future minimum sublease rental income under non-cancelable subleases, as of January 31, 2015 were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	Capital			Operating
		(in thousands)
	2016		10,359			74,538
	2017		5,573			67,960
	2018		4,470			62,324
	2019		3,863			52,366
	2020		3,667			47,459
	After 2020		35,636			217,426
	Total		63,568			522,073
	Less sublease rental income		—			(2,773	)
	Net rentals		63,568		$	519,300
	Less imputed interest		(10,841	)
	Present value of minimum lease payments		52,727
	Less current portion		(8,736	)
	Noncurrent portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	$	43,991
	Sublease rental income primarily relates to the portion of the Company’s headquarters building that was sold and leased back by the Company during fiscal year 2008, a portion of which was subsequently subleased by the Company to other third parties.
	Net rental expense for all operating leases consists of the following:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Buildings:
	Minimum rentals	$	71,888		$	74,811		$	73,940
	Contingent rentals		4,045			4,468			4,598
	Sublease rental income		(1,673	)		(1,898	)		(2,121	)
	Equipment		1,370			2,035			1,768
	Total net rental expense	$	75,630		$	79,416		$	78,185

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(12)    Income Taxes
	Federal and state income tax expense (benefit) was as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	58,518		$	40,273		$	59,152
	State		1,899			1,751			2,503
			60,417			42,024			61,655
	Deferred:
	Federal		11,972			38,213			35,045
	State		6,304			5,107			5,824
	Change in valuation allowances		—			—			(390	)
			18,276			43,320			40,479
	Income taxes	$	78,693		$	85,344		$	102,134
	A reconciliation between income taxes and income tax expense computed using the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Income tax at the statutory federal rate	$	78,664		$	85,356		$	101,677
	State income taxes, net of federal		4,669			3,816			5,261
	Increase in cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance		(5,374	)		(4,938	)		(4,552	)
	Net increase (decrease) in uncertain tax positions		(30	)		746			1,206
	Change in valuation allowances		—			—			(390	)
	Other		764			364			(1,068	)
	Income taxes	$	78,693		$	85,344		$	102,134
	Deferred taxes based upon differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and available tax carryforwards consist of:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Pension liability	$	19,648		$	4,839
	Benefit plan costs		33,556			32,405
	Store closing and other reserves		22,749			24,675
	Inventory capitalization		7,382			7,641
	Tax carryovers		12,500			14,428
	Prepaid rent		11,691			12,330
	Goodwill		30,198			36,343
	Intangibles		5,757			5,778
	Other		20,028			10,086
	Gross deferred tax assets		163,509			148,525
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Property and equipment		149,266			135,390
	Intangibles		3,077			3,366
	Inventory		61,550			59,804
	Gross deferred tax liabilities		213,893			198,560
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	(50,384	)	$	(50,035	)
	Due to economic conditions prior to fiscal year 2012, the Company believed that it was more likely than not that the benefit from state net operating loss and credit carryforwards, and net deferred tax assets for state income tax purposes, would not be realized, and established a valuation allowance on these deferred tax assets in fiscal year 2009. Based upon operating results over recent years, as well as an assessment of expected future results of operations during the year ended January 28, 2012, it was determined that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets would be utilized. As a result, virtually all of our valuation allowance was released during fiscal year 2012. During the year ended February 2, 2013, it was determined that the remaining valuation allowance would also be realized, and as a result recognized a benefit of $0.4 million. The release of the valuation allowance was determined in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which require an assessment of both positive and negative evidence when determining whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are recoverable.
	The analysis performed to assess the realizability of the state deferred tax asset included an evaluation, as of January 31, 2015, of the level of historical pre-tax income for the affected subsidiaries, after adjustment for non-recurring items, in recent years; the pattern and timing of the reversals of temporary differences and the length of carryback and carryforward periods available under the applicable state laws; and the amount and timing of future taxable income. This analysis indicated it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset recorded will be realized.
	As of January 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $275 million. The state carryforwards expire at various intervals through fiscal year 2034, but primarily in fiscal years 2024 through 2028. The Company also has state job credits of approximately $1.6 million, which are available to offset future tax liabilities, in the applicable states, if any. These credits expire between fiscal years 2016 and 2029. In addition, the Company had gross state charitable contribution carryforwards of approximately $13.4 million as of January 31, 2015. These carryforwards expire at various intervals through fiscal year 2020.
	The state net operating loss carryforwards from filed returns included uncertain tax positions taken in prior years. State net operating loss carryforwards as shown on the Company’s tax returns are larger than the state net operating losses for which a deferred tax asset is recognized for financial statement purposes.
	As of January 31, 2015, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit was $24.2 million. Of this total, $6.7 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits (net of the federal benefit on state issues) that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in a future period. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of total unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	21,906		$	17,761
	Additions for tax positions from prior years		1,177			783
	Reductions for tax positions from prior years		(613	)		(773	)
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year		1,693			4,135
	Balance, end of year	$	24,163		$	21,906
	The Company reports interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense, and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Total accrued interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits (net of tax benefit) as of January 31, 2015 was $1.4 million, after recognition of a $0.3 million expense during fiscal year 2015. At this time, the Company expects to conclude various state audits that may affect its gross unrecognized tax benefit over the next 12 months, but insufficient evidence exists at this time to estimate any potential impact.
	The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. The Company has concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters with the IRS through fiscal year 2011 and all material state and local income tax matters for fiscal years through 2010. The statute of limitations for material states under audit for fiscal year 2011 has been extended. It is anticipated that these audits will conclude in fiscal year 2016.

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits	(13)    Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits
	The Company has a defined benefit pension plan, the Belk Pension Plan, which prior to fiscal year 2010 had been partially frozen and closed to new participants. Pension benefits were suspended for fiscal year 2010, and effective December 31, 2009, the Pension Plan was frozen for those remaining participants whose benefits were not previously frozen.
	The Company has a non-qualified defined benefit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, (“Old SERP”), which provides retirement and death benefits to certain qualified executives. Old SERP has been closed to new executives and has been replaced by the 2004 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“2004 SERP”), a non-qualified defined contribution plan.
	The Company also provides postretirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain employees, and was closed to new participants in 2002. The Company accounts for postretirement benefits by recognizing the cost of these benefits over an employee’s estimated term of service with the Company, in accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation — Retirement Benefits.”
	The change in the projected benefit obligation, change in plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized and unrecognized, net periodic benefit cost and actuarial assumptions are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	547,220		$	566,428		$	12,256		$	12,890		$	19,375		$	23,279
	Service cost			—			—			155			163			74			119
	Interest cost			23,943			22,762			532			514			825			911
	Actuarial (gains) losses			99,359			(12,177	)		4,907			(142	)		1,513			(2,884	)
	Benefits paid			(30,233	)		(29,793	)		(1,194	)		(1,169	)		(1,868	)		(2,050	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year			640,289			547,220			16,656			12,256			19,919			19,375
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			529,406			490,350			—			—			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets			83,745			43,849			—			—			—			—
	Contributions to plan			—			25,000			1,194			1,169			1,868			2,050
	Benefits paid			(30,233	)		(29,793	)		(1,194	)		(1,169	)		(1,868	)		(2,050	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			582,918			529,406			—			—			—			—
	Funded Status		$	(57,371	)	$	(17,814	)	$	(16,656	)	$	(12,256	)	$	(19,919	)	$	(19,375	)
	Actuarial gains and losses are generally amortized over the average remaining service life of the Company’s active employees. Due to the pension plan freeze in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, the Company began using the average remaining life of the participants in the pension plan rather than the average remaining service life of the Company’s active employees.
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Accrued liabilities		$	—		$	—		$	1,145		$	1,144		$	1,713		$	1,827
	Deferred income tax assets			94,276			81,086			2,881			1,248			551			(26	)
	Retirement Obligations and other noncurrent liabilities			57,371			17,814			15,512			11,112			18,206			17,548
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(156,563	)		(134,209	)		(5,072	)		(2,306	)		(783	)		192
	Obligation and funded status are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Plan						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Projected benefit obligation		$	640,289		$	547,220		$	16,656		$	12,256		$	19,919		$	19,375
	Accumulated benefit obligation			640,289			547,220			15,974			11,414			N/A			N/A
	Fair value of plan assets			582,918			529,406			—			—			—			—
	Activity related to plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Adjustment to minimum liability		$	(28,748	)	$	24,808		$	(3,084	)	$	89		$	(951	)	$	1,298
	Amortization of unrecognized items:
	Net transition obligation			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Net gain/(loss)			6,394			4,055			318			332			(24	)		77
			$	(22,354	)	$	28,863		$	(2,766	)	$	421		$	(975	)	$	1,375
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 measurement dates were as follows:
			Pension Plan						Old SERP Plan						Postretirement Plan
			Measurement Date						Measurement Date						Measurement Date
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Discount rates			3.5	%		4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
	Rates of compensation increase			N/A			N/A			4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A
	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal years shown:
			Pension Plan									Old SERP Plan									Postretirement Plan
			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013
	Discount rates			4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%		4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%		4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%
	Rates of compensation increase			N/A			N/A			N/A			4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
Return on plan assets			6.75	%		6.75	%		7.25	%		N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
The Company developed the discount rate by matching the projected future cash flows of the plan to a modeled yield curve consisting of over 500 Aa-graded, noncallable bonds. Based on this analysis, management selected a 4.5% discount rate, which represented the calculated yield curve rate rounded up to the nearest eighth of a point. The pension plan’s expected return assumption is based on the weighted average aggregate long-term expected returns of various actively managed asset classes corresponding to the plan’s asset allocation. The pension plan assets are allocated approximately 66% to fixed income securities and 33% to equity securities, with the remaining assets allocated to cash and cash equivalents.
For measurement purposes, a 7.2% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered benefits (i.e., health care cost trend rate) was assumed for fiscal year 2015; the rate was assumed to decrease to 5.0% gradually over the next six years and remain at that level for fiscal years thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, increasing or decreasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point would increase or decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of January 31, 2015 by $0.4 million and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year ended January 31, 2015 by $0.1 million.
The Company maintains policies for the investment of pension plan assets. The policies set forth state objectives and a structure for managing assets, which includes various asset classes and investment management styles that, in the aggregate, are expected to produce a sufficient level of diversification and investment return over time and provide for the availability of funds for benefits as they become due. The policies also provide guidelines for each investment portfolio that control the level of risk assumed in the portfolio and ensure that assets are managed in accordance with stated objectives. The policies set forth criteria to monitor and evaluate the performance results achieved by the investment managers. In addition, managing the relationship between plan assets and benefit obligations within the policy objectives is achieved through periodic asset and liability studies required by the policies.
The asset allocation for the pension plan is as follows:
					Percentage of Plan Assets at Measurement Date
		Current			January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
		Target Allocation
Equity securities and funds			30%-40	%		33	%		44	%		56	%
Fixed income			60%-70	%		66	%		54	%		42	%
Cash and cash equivalents			0%-5	%		1	%		2	%		2	%
Total			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the pension plan assets were required to be measured at fair value. These assets included equity securities, private equity funds, fixed income securities, and cash and cash equivalents. These categories can cross various asset allocation strategies as reflected in the preceding table.
Fair values of the pension plan assets were as follows:
					Fair Value Measurement at												Fair Value Measurement at
					Reporting Date Using												Reporting Date Using
Description		January 31,			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			February 1,			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant
		2015			in Active			Other			Unobservable			2014			in  Active			Other			Unobservable
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs						Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Outputs			(Level 3)						Identical			Outputs			(Level 3)
					Assets			(Level 2)									Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)												(Level 1)
					(in thousands)												(in thousands)
Equity securities
U.S. companies(a)		$	46,495		$	46,495		$	—		$	—		$	59,486		$	59,486		$	—		$	—
U.S. Mutual Funds			88,603			—			88,603			—			109,622			—			109,622			—
International mutual funds			42,478			42,478			—			—			51,362			51,362			—			—
International companies			6,822			6,822			—			—			9,000			9,000			—			—
Private equity			6,943			—			—			6,943			5,436			—			—			5,436
Fixed income securities
Corporate bonds			137,729			—			137,729			—			100,806			—			100,806			—
Government securities			122,380			—			122,380			—			86,016			—			86,016			—
Mutual funds			97,011			—			97,011			—			72,026			—			72,026			—
Mortgage backed securities			16,761			—			16,761			—			17,102			—			17,102			—
Municipals			9,364			—			9,364			—			9,580			—			9,580			—
Cash and cash equivalents			8,332			—			8,332			—			8,970			—			8,970			—
Total assets measured at fair value		$	582,918		$	95,795		$	480,180		$	6,943		$	529,406		$	119,848		$	404,122		$	5,436
(a)	The U.S. equity securities consist of $44.1 million of large cap companies and $2.4 million of mid cap companies in in fiscal year 2015. The U.S. equity securities consisted of $59.2 million of large cap companies and $0.3 million of mid cap companies in fiscal year 2014.
The pension plan corporate bonds, government securities, mortgage backed securities, municipal bonds, cash equivalents, and the majority of mutual funds in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively, have been classified as Level 2:
Corporate and municipal bonds, and mortgage backed and government securities — fair values of corporate and municipal bonds, and mortgage backed and government securities are valued based on a calculation using interest rate curves and credit spreads applied to the terms of the debt instruments (maturity and coupon interest rate) considering the counterparty credit rating; external broker bids where available; or by discounting estimated cash flows.
Cash equivalents and mutual funds — fair values of cash equivalents and mutual funds are largely provided by independent pricing services. Where independent pricing services provide fair values, the Company has obtained an understanding of the methods, models and inputs used in pricing, and has procedures in place to validate that amounts provided represent current fair values.
The private equity pension plan investments are considered Level 3 assets as there is not an active market for identical assets from which to determine fair value or current market information about similar assets to use as observable inputs. The fair value of private equity investments is determined using pricing models, which requires significant management judgment.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the fiscal year 2015 and 2014 beginning and ending balances of the pension plan’s private equity funds (Level 3):
(in thousands)
Balance as of February 2, 2013		$	5,534
Calls of private equity investments			810
Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in plan earnings			(202	)
Distributions of private equity investments			(706	)
Balance as of February 1, 2014			5,436
Calls of private equity investments			1,844
Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in plan earnings			3,380
Distributions of private equity investments			(3,717	)
Balance as of January 31, 2015		$	6,943
The Company expects to have the following benefit payments related to its pension, Old SERP and postretirement plans in the coming years:
Fiscal Year		Pension Plan			Old SERP Plan			Postretirement Plan
		(in thousands)
2016			31,586			1,165			1,743
2017			31,751			1,686			2,085
2018			31,971			1,275			1,995
2019			32,196			1,165			1,909
2020			32,399			1,264			1,885
2021 — 2025			167,586			8,627			7,684
The Company elected to contribute $25.0 million to its Pension Plan in fiscal year 2014. The Company currently exceeds the Pension Protection Act of 2006 guidelines, and expects to be in excess of the guidelines in the near future, therefore, no future contributions are anticipated. The Company expects to contribute $1.2 million to its non-qualified defined benefit SERP Plan in fiscal year 2016, and contributed $1.2 million in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company expects to contribute $1.7 million to its postretirement plan in fiscal year 2016, and contributed $1.9 million and $2.1 million in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The components of net periodic benefit expense are as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		Pension Plan									Old SERP Plan									Postretirement Plan
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
Service cost		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	155		$	163		$	153		$	74		$	119		$	116
Interest cost			23,943			22,762			23,418			532			514			557			825			911			1,064
Expected return on assets			(30,118	)		(28,553	)		(28,962	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			196
Net losses (gains)			10,190			18,525			11,367			508			528			477			(40	)		(692	)		430
Annual benefit expense		$	4,015		$	12,734		$	5,823		$	1,195		$	1,205		$	1,187		$	859		$	338		$	1,806
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal year 2016 are as follows:
		Pension Benefits			Old SERP Plan			Postretirement
								Benefits
		(in thousands)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)		$	11,858		$	969		$	—

Other_Employee_Benefits

Other Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Employee Benefits	(14)    Other Employee Benefits
	The Belk Employees’ Health Care Plan provides medical and dental benefits to substantially all full-time employees. This plan for medical and dental benefits is administered through a 501(c)(9) Trust. The Group Life Insurance Plan and The Belk Employees Short Term Disability Insurance Plan provide insurance to substantially all full-time employees and are fully insured through contracts issued by insurance companies. Expense recognized by the Company under these plans amounted to $53.9 million, $55.2 million and $52.4 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Belk 401(k) Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan, provides benefits for substantially all employees. The cost of the plan was $9.4 million, $8.9 million and $8.8 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Employer match contributions are calculated at 100% of the first 4% of employees’ contributions, plus 50% on the next 2% of employees’ contributions, up to a total 5% employer match on eligible compensation.
	The Company has a non-qualified 401(k) Restoration Plan for highly compensated employees, as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The cost of the plan to the Company in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.5 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The plan provides a contribution equal to 5% of a participant’s compensation, except for those who are participants in the 2004 SERP plan, in excess of the limit set forth in Code section 401(a)(17), as adjusted. The Company accrues each participant’s return on investment based on an asset investment model of their choice.
	The 2004 SERP Plan, a non-qualified defined contribution retirement benefit plan for certain qualified executives, provides a contribution equal to 5% of a participant’s compensation in excess of the limit set forth in Code section 401(a)(17), as adjusted. The contribution and interest costs charged to operations were $1.0 million, $1.2 million, and $1.3 million in fiscal year 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
	Certain eligible employees participate in a non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”). Participants in the DCP have elected to defer a portion of their regular compensation subject to certain limitations proscribed by the DCP. The Company is required to pay interest on the employees’ deferred compensation at various rates that have historically been between 5% and 15%. Interest cost related to the plan and charged to interest expense was $3.7 million, $3.8 million, and $3.9 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
	The Company has a Pension Restoration Plan, a non-qualified defined contribution plan. The plan provides benefits for certain officers, whose pension plan benefit accruals were frozen, that would have been otherwise grandfathered in their pension participation based on age and vesting. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company suspended accruals to this plan for one year and subsequently permanently froze future contributions as of December 31, 2009. The Company incurred an expense of $0.1 million in each of the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, to provide benefits under this plan.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	(15)    Stock-Based Compensation
	Under the Belk, Inc. 2010 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”), the Company is authorized to award up to 2.5 million shares of class B common stock for various types of equity incentives to key executives of the Company. The Company recognized compensation expense, net of tax, under the 2010 Incentive Plan of $5.1 million, $6.9 million and $11.0 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Performance Based Stock Award Programs
	The Company has a performance based stock award program (the “Long Term Incentive Plan” or “LTI Plan”), under which the Company grants, under its 2010 Incentive Plan, stock awards to certain key executives. Shares awarded under the LTI Plan vary based on Company results versus specified performance targets and generally vest at the end of the performance period. Beginning with fiscal year 2009, the LTI Plan began using a one-year performance period and a two-year service period. One-half of any shares earned during the performance period will be issued after the end of the performance period with the remaining shares issued at the end of the service period.
	LTI Plan compensation costs are computed using the fair value of the Company’s stock on the grant date based on a third-party valuation and the estimated expected attainment of performance goals. The unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the LTI Plan was $4.5 million, $2.4 million and $4.9 million for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of shares granted under the LTI Plans during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $48.10, $50.00 and $40.80, respectively. The total fair value of stock grants issued under the LTI Plans during fiscal year 2015 was $7.8 million. The fiscal year 2015 performance targets were met, however the plan does not vest until fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The fiscal year 2014 performance targets were met, and the plan vests in fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The fiscal year 2013 performance targets were met, and the plan vested in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
	Activity under the LTI Plan during the year ended January 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date Fair Value
					per Share
	Non-vested at February 1, 2014		239		$	44.68
	Granted		276			48.1
	Changes in Performance Estimates		(6	)		48.1
	Vested		(181	)		43.24
	Forfeited		(41	)		47.09
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015		287		$	48.4
	In fiscal year 2011, the Company established a performance-based long term incentive plan (the “Stretch Incentive Plan” or “SIP 11”), under its 2010 Incentive Plan, in which certain key executive officers are eligible to participate. The performance period began on the first day of the third quarter of fiscal year 2011 and ended on the last day of fiscal year 2013. The target award level for all eligible employees was set at one times target total cash compensation. Executives could earn up to a maximum of 150% of the target award for achievement equal to or greater than 110% of the cumulative earnings before interest and taxes goal and 103% of the sales goal. The SIP 11 award was denominated in cash and settled in shares of class B common stock. The SIP 11 performance targets were met and one-half of the SIP 11 award earned was granted and issued during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. The balance of the award earned was granted and issued during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The actual number of shares issued in fiscal year 2014 and 2015 was determined based on the Company’s stock price on the date the shares were granted; 138,631 shares at a share price of $50.00 and 144,099 shares at a share price of $48.10, respectively. The unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested compensation arrangements granted under the SIP 11 Plan was $0.3 million in fiscal year 2014.
	In fiscal year 2014, the Company established a similar performance-based long term incentive plan (“SIP 14”), under its 2010 Incentive Plan, in which certain key executive officers are eligible to participate. The performance period began on the first day of fiscal year 2014 and ends on the last day of fiscal year 2016. One-half of any SIP 14 award earned will be granted and issued after the end of the performance period, which is during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The balance of the award earned will be granted and issued during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The actual number of shares that will be issued in fiscal year 2017 will be determined based on the Company’s stock price on the date the shares are granted. There were no SIP 14 shares granted or issued, and the SIP 14 performance metrics were not met as of fiscal year 2015. The unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested compensation arrangements granted under the SIP 14 Plan was $2.4 million in fiscal year 2014.
	The Company granted service-based stock awards to certain associates in fiscal year 2013. The service-based awards granted 25,000 shares in fiscal year 2013; 12,500 will be issued in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, and the remaining 12,500 will be issued at the end of the service period, fiscal year 2019. In fiscal year 2015, the 25,000 plan shares were forfeited. The Company granted a service-based stock award to an associate in fiscal year 2011. The service-based award granted 10,000 shares in fiscal year 2011; 5,000 were issued and vested during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, and the remaining 5,000 were issued in fiscal year 2014. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of shares granted under the service-based plans during fiscal years 2013 and 2011 was $40.80 and $26.00, respectively. The total fair value of service-based stock grants vested during fiscal year 2011 was $0.3 million. The unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the service-based plan as of February 1, 2014 was $0.6 million.

Purchase_Obligations

Purchase Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Purchase Obligations	(16)    Purchase Obligations
	Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Agreements that are cancelable without penalty have been excluded. Purchase obligations relate primarily to purchases of property and equipment, information technology contracts, maintenance agreements and advertising contracts.
	The annual amount and due dates of purchase obligations as of January 31, 2015 are $59.9 million due within one year, $18.9 million due within one to three years, and $6.9 million due within three to five years.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(17)    Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes the effect of contingently issuable stock-based compensation awards with remaining service vesting conditions as being outstanding at the beginning of the period in which all vesting conditions are met.
	If all necessary conditions have not been satisfied by the end of the period, the contingently issuable shares included in diluted EPS are based on the number of dilutive shares that would be issuable at the end of the contingency period. Contingently-issuable non-vested share awards are included in the diluted EPS calculation as of the beginning of the period (or as of the date of the contingent share agreement, if later).
	The reconciliation of weighted-average basic and diluted shares for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		January 31,		February 1,		February 2,
		2015		2014		2013
	Basic Shares		39,809,730		41,541,176		43,435,314
	Dilutive contingently-issuable non-vested share awards		102,312		269,925		272,862
	Dilutive contingently-issuable vested share awards		564		1,649		4,087
	Diluted Shares		39,912,606		41,812,750		43,712,263

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(18)    Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The Company has equity and fixed income investments related to its company-owned life insurance. The fair value of the investments is the estimated amount that the Company would receive if the policy was terminated, taking into consideration the current creditworthiness of the insurer. The fair value of the company-owned life insurance is considered Level 2, as it is determined by inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. Additionally, the change in the fair value of the company-owned life insurance is marked to market through income.
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the Company held company-owned life insurance measured at fair value on a recurring basis of $28.6 million and $27.3 million, respectively. These amounts are presented net of loans that are secured by some of these policies of $164.1 million and $157.9 million at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively. Total gross company-owned life insurance assets were $192.7 million and $185.2 million at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively.
	The Company has in the past entered into interest rate swap agreements with financial institutions to manage the exposure to changes in interest rates. When doing so, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that the Company would pay or receive to terminate the swap agreement, taking into account the current credit worthiness of the swap counterparties. The fair values of swap contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. The Company has consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented. Additionally, the change in the fair value of a swap designated as a cash flow hedge is marked to market through accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Certain long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The fair value measurements related to long-lived assets are determined using expected future cash flow analyses. The Company estimates future cash flows based on historical experience and its expectation of future performance. The analyses use discounted cash flows and take into consideration any anticipated salvage value or sales price for the store. The analyses also assume available option periods through 20 years unless there is a real estate related event which would either increase or decrease the time period. The Company classifies these measurements as Level 3. In fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded $7.2 million in impairment charges primarily to adjust a retail location’s net book value to fair value.
		Property and Equipment
		(in thousands)
	Measured as of January 31, 2015:
	Carrying amount	$	7,040
	Fair value measurement		(149	)
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(7,189	)
	Measured as of February 1, 2014:
	Carrying amount	$	7,182
	Fair value measurement		2,222
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(4,960	)
	Measured as of February 2, 2013:
	Carrying amount	$	266
	Fair value measurement		—
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(266	)
	As of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, the fair value of fixed rate long-term debt including the current portion and excluding capitalized leases, was $400.9 million and $393.1 million, respectively. The Company classifies these measurements as Level 2. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate long-term debt is estimated based on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities and credit ratings. The total carrying value of long-term debt, including the current portion and excluding capitalized leases, was $375.0 million as of January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(19)    Stockholders’ Equity
	Authorized capital stock of Belk, Inc. includes 200 million shares of Class A common stock, 200 million shares of Class B common stock and 20 million shares of preferred stock, all with par value of $0.01 per share. At January 31, 2015, there were 38,317,436 shares of Class A common stock outstanding, 946,967 shares of Class B common stock outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
	Class A shares are convertible into Class B shares on a 1 for 1 basis, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the holder. Class A and Class B shares are identical in all respects, with the exception that Class A stockholders are entitled to 10 votes per share and Class B stockholders are entitled to one vote per share. There are restrictions on transfers of Class A shares to any person other than a Class A permitted holder. Each Class A share transferred to a non-Class A permitted holder automatically converts into one share of Class B.
	On March 26, 2015, the Company declared a regular dividend of $0.80 on each share of Class A and Class B Common Stock outstanding on that date. On March 26, 2014, the Company declared a regular dividend of $0.80 on each share of Class A and Class B Common Stock outstanding on that date.
	On March 26, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a self-tender offer to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of Class A and 580,000 shares of Class B common stock at a price of $48.10 per share. The tender offer was initiated on April 24, 2014 and completed on May 21, 2014 when the Company accepted for purchase 1,704,754 shares of Class A and 256,257 shares of Class B common stock for $94.3 million.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	(20)    Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations for fiscal years 2015 and 2014:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,		November 1,			August 2,		May 3,
			2015		2014			2014		2014
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenues		$	1,388,492	$	859,474		$	906,453	$	955,142
	Gross profit(1)			468,090		260,719			301,527		309,024
	Net income (loss)			104,367		(8,231	)		30,602		19,324
	Basic income (loss) per share			2.66		(0.21	)		0.77		0.47
	Diluted income (loss) per share			2.65		(0.21	)		0.77		0.47
			Three Months Ended
			February 1,		November 2,			August 3,		May 4,
			2014		2013			2013		2013
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenues		$	1,322,083	$	860,743		$	899,458	$	955,834
	Gross profit(1)			436,172		271,021			297,593		310,566
	Net income			96,261		3,560			30,521		28,191
	Basic income per share			2.35		0.09			0.74		0.66
	Diluted income per share			2.33		0.09			0.73		0.65
	-1	Gross profit represents revenues less cost of goods sold (including occupancy, distribution and buying expenses).
	Per share amounts are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. The sum of the quarters may not equal the total year amount due to the impact of changes in average quarterly shares outstanding.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Belk, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Belk”) operate retail department stores in 16 states primarily in the southern United States. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to each January 31st. The fiscal year end dates and number of weeks in fiscal years 2013 – 2016 are reflected in the table below.
	Fiscal Year		End Date			Weeks
	2016			January 30, 2016			52
	2015			January 31, 2015			52
	2014			February 1, 2014			52
	2013			February 2, 2013			53
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Significant estimates are required as part of determining stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization and recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets, valuation of inventory, establishing store closing and other reserves, self-insurance reserves and calculating retirement obligations and expense.
Revenues	Revenues
	The Company’s store and eCommerce operations have been aggregated into one reporting segment due to their similar economic characteristics, products, customers and methods of distribution. These operations are expected to continue to have similar characteristics and long-term financial performance in future periods.
	The following table gives information regarding the percentage of revenues contributed by each merchandise area for each of the last three fiscal years. There were no material changes between fiscal years, as reflected in the table below.
	Merchandise Areas		Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year
			2015			2014			2013
	Women’s			33	%		32	%		33	%
	Cosmetics, Shoes and Accessories			34	%		34	%		34	%
	Men’s			17	%		18	%		17	%
	Home			9	%		9	%		10	%
	Children’s			7	%		7	%		6	%
	Total			100	%		100	%		100	%
	Revenues include sales of merchandise and the net revenue received from leased departments of $2.1 million for fiscal year 2015 and $2.2 million for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. Sales from retail operations are recorded at the time of delivery and reported net of sales taxes and merchandise returns. The reserve for returns is calculated as a percentage of sales based on historical return percentages.
	The Company utilizes a customer loyalty program that issues certificates for discounts on future purchases to proprietary charge card customers based on their spending levels. The certificates are classified as a reduction to revenue as they are earned by the customers. The Company maintains a reserve liability for the estimated future redemptions of the certificates.
Cost of Goods Sold	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold is comprised principally of the cost of merchandise as well as occupancy, distribution and buying expenses. Occupancy expenses include rent, utilities and real estate taxes. Distribution expenses include all costs associated with distribution facilities and eCommerce fulfillment centers. Buying expenses include payroll and travel expenses associated with the merchandise buying function.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses are comprised principally of payroll and benefits for retail and corporate employees, depreciation, advertising and other administrative expenses. SG&A expenses are reduced by proceeds from the credit card program agreement (“Program Agreement) between Belk and Synchrony Bank. In March 2013, the Program Agreement was amended, extending the expiration date from June 30, 2016 to December 31, 2017. This Program Agreement sets forth among other things the terms and conditions under which Synchrony Bank will issue credit cards to Belk’s customers. The Company is paid a percentage of net credit sales, as defined by the Program Agreement. Belk is required to perform certain duties, including receiving and remitting in-store payments on behalf of Synchrony Bank and receiving fees for these activities. These amounts totaled $93.0 million, $90.2 million and $85.9 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Gift Cards	Gift Cards
	The Company issues gift cards which do not contain provisions for expiration or inactivity fees. At the time gift cards are sold, no revenue is recognized; rather, a liability is established for the face amount of the gift card. The liability is relieved and revenue is recognized when gift cards are redeemed for merchandise and/or services. The estimated values of gift cards expected to go unused are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in proportion to actual gift card redemptions as the remaining gift card values are redeemed, when there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws.
Advertising	Advertising
	Advertising costs, net of co-op recoveries from merchandise vendors, are expensed in the period in which the advertising event takes place and amounted to $164.8 million, $162.3 million and $164.1 million in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets	Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
	In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset based upon the future highest and best use of the impaired asset. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. The Company determines fair value of its retail locations primarily based on the present value of future cash flows based upon the future highest and best use of the asset.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents
	Cash equivalents include liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less.
Merchandise Inventory	Merchandise Inventory
	Inventories are valued using the lower of cost or market value, determined by the retail inventory method (“RIM”). Under RIM, inventory retail values are converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors for each merchandise department. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio for each merchandise department based on beginning inventory and the fiscal year purchase activity. Since the retail value of our inventory is adjusted on a regular basis to reflect current market conditions, our carrying value should approximate the lower of cost or market. RIM is an averaging method that is widely used in the retail industry due to its practicality. Inherent in the RIM calculation are certain significant management judgments and estimates including, among others, permanent markdowns and shrinkage, which may affect the ending inventory valuation at cost as well as the corresponding charge to cost of goods sold.
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment owned by the Company are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment leased by the Company under capital leases are stated at an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments less accumulated amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recorded utilizing straight-line and in certain circumstances accelerated methods, typically over the shorter of estimated asset lives or related lease terms. The Company amortizes leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated asset life or expected lease term that would include cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears, at the date the assets are placed in service, to be reasonably assured. The Company makes judgments in determining the estimated useful lives of its depreciable long-lived assets which are included in the consolidated financial statements. The estimate of useful lives is typically determined by the Company’s historical experience with the type of asset purchased.
Intangibles	Intangibles
	Intangible assets are accounted for in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” Leasehold intangibles, which represent the excess of fair value over the carrying value (assets) or the excess of carrying value over fair value (liabilities) of acquired leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the lease agreements. The lease term includes cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears to be reasonably assured. The lease intangibles are included in other current assets and accrued liabilities for the current portions and other assets and other noncurrent liabilities for the noncurrent portions. Customer relationships, which represent the value of customer relationships obtained in acquisitions or purchased, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life and are included in other assets. The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed by the Company’s management to assess the recoverability of the assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Rent Expense	Rent Expense
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty in such amount that a renewal appears, at the inception of the lease, to be reasonably assured. Developer incentives are recognized as a reduction to occupancy costs over the lease term. The lease term commences on the date when the Company gains control of the property.
Vendor Allowances	Vendor Allowances
	The Company receives allowances from its vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including markdown reimbursement programs. These vendor allowances are generally intended to offset the Company’s costs of selling the vendors’ products in our stores. Allowances are recognized in the period in which the Company completes its obligations under the vendor agreements. Most incentives are deducted from amounts owed to the vendor at the time the Company completes its obligations to the vendor or shortly thereafter.
	The following summarizes the types of vendor incentives and the Company’s applicable accounting policies:
		Ÿ		Advertising allowances — Represents reimbursement of advertising costs initially funded by the Company. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in the period that the advertising expense is incurred.
		Ÿ		Markdown allowances — Represent partial reimbursement of markdowns taken and/or to support the gross margins earned in connection with the sale of merchandise. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to cost of goods sold in the later of the period that the merchandise is marked down or the reimbursement is negotiated. Amounts received prior to recognizing the markdowns are recorded as a reduction to the cost of inventory.
		Ÿ		Payroll allowances — Represents reimbursement for payroll costs. Amounts are recognized as a reduction to SG&A expenses in the period that the payroll cost is incurred.
Pension and Postretirement Obligations	Pension and Postretirement Obligations
	The Company utilizes significant assumptions, along with the actual employee census data, in determining its periodic pension and postretirement expense and obligations that are included in the consolidated financial statements. These assumptions include determining an appropriate discount rate and long-term rate of return on plan assets (in the case of the Pension Plan).
Stock Based Compensation	Stock Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for stock based compensation under the guidelines of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” ASC 718 requires the Company to account for stock based compensation by using the grant date fair value of share awards and the estimated number of shares that will ultimately be issued in conjunction with each award.
Self-Insurance Reserves	Self-Insurance Reserves
	The Company is responsible for the payment of workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile claims under certain dollar limits. The Company purchases insurance for workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile claims for amounts that exceed certain dollar limits. The Company records a liability for its obligation associated with incurred losses utilizing historical claims experience, demographic and severity factors and actuarial assumptions.
	The Company is responsible for the payment of medical and dental claims and records a liability for claims obligations in excess of amounts collected from associate premiums. Historical data on incurred claims along with estimated health and dental care trends are used to estimate the loss development factors to project the future development of incurred claims.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. The annual effective tax rate is based on income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Significant judgment is required in determining annual tax expense and in evaluating tax positions. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The reserves (including the impact of the related interest and penalties) are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit.
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement bases and the respective tax bases of the assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company accrues interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense, while accruing penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense (benefit).
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which requires presentation in the financial statements of an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The Company adopted this guidance beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 when it was required. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which requires measurement of obligations within the scope of this guidance to be the sum of the amount agreed to pay on the basis of arrangement among co-obligors and any additional amounts expected to pay on behalf of co-obligors, in addition to disclosure of the nature and amount of the obligation. The Company adopted this guidance beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 when it was required. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Fiscal Year End Dates and Number of Weeks	The fiscal year end dates and number of weeks in fiscal years 2013 – 2016 are reflected in the table below.
	Fiscal Year	End Date			Weeks
	2016		January 30, 2016			52
	2015		January 31, 2015			52
	2014		February 1, 2014			52
	2013		February 2, 2013			53
Summary of the Percentage Revenue Contribution by Each Merchandise Area	The following table gives information regarding the percentage of revenues contributed by each merchandise area for each of the last three fiscal years. There were no material changes between fiscal years, as reflected in the table below.
	Merchandise Areas	Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year			Fiscal Year
		2015			2014			2013
	Women’s		33	%		32	%		33	%
	Cosmetics, Shoes and Accessories		34	%		34	%		34	%
	Men’s		17	%		18	%		17	%
	Home		9	%		9	%		10	%
	Children’s		7	%		7	%		6	%
	Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

Intangibles_Tables

Intangibles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortizing Intangibles	Amortizing intangibles are comprised of the following:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Amortizing intangible assets:
	Favorable lease intangibles	$	9,571		$	9,960
	Accumulated amortization — favorable lease intangibles		(5,711	)		(5,431	)
	Credit card and customer list intangibles		18,746			18,746
	Accumulated amortization — credit card and customer list intangibles		(17,579	)		(16,413	)
	Other intangibles		5,277			5,277
	Accumulated amortization — other intangibles		(5,109	)		(4,717	)
	Net amortizing intangible assets	$	5,195		$	7,422
	Amortizing intangible liabilities:
	Unfavorable lease intangibles	$	(23,825	)	$	(23,825	)
	Accumulated amortization — unfavorable lease intangibles		11,205			9,869
	Net amortizing intangible liabilities	$	(12,620	)	$	(13,956	)

Asset_Impairment_and_Exit_Cost1

Asset Impairment and Exit Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Post-Closing Real Estate Lease Obligations Activity	The following is a summary of post-closing real estate lease obligations activity:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	686		$	1,422
	Charges and adjustments		2,977			1,210
	Utilization / payments		(1,520	)		(1,946	)
	Balance, end of year	$	2,143		$	686

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Tables

Accounts Receivable, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Summary of Accounts Receivable, Net	Accounts receivable, net consists of:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Accounts receivable from vendors	$	37,276	$	34,902
	Credit card accounts receivable		19,768		16,759
	Other receivables		3,531		3,679
	Accounts receivable, net	$	60,575	$	55,340

Property_and_Equipment_net_Tab

Property and Equipment, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property and Equipment, Net	Details of property and equipment, net are as follows:
		Estimated	January 31,			February 1,
		Lives	2015			2014
		(in years)	(in thousands)
	Land		$	46,116		$	47,255
	Buildings	primarily 15-31.5		1,266,995			1,198,149
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	20-Mar		1,389,533			1,286,992
	Property under capital leases	20-May		101,579			80,075
	Construction in progress			56,346			32,735
				2,860,569			2,645,206
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization			(1,586,423	)		(1,487,140	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	1,274,146		$	1,158,066

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$	48,012	$	45,752
	Gift card liability		46,833		42,721
	Advertising		15,374		26,421
	Accrued capital expenditures		32,993		25,584
	Sales returns allowance		24,417		23,293
	Taxes, other than income		23,807		20,405
	Rent		7,646		7,306
	Interest		7,466		7,285
	Self insurance reserves		7,062		6,126
	Belk reward card loyalty program		7,342		4,546
	Store closing reserves		1,015		686
	Other		32,117		29,533
	Accrued Liabilities	$	254,084	$	239,658

Borrowings_Tables

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:
			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Senior notes		$	375,000		$	375,000
	Capital lease agreements through November 2029			52,727			18,757
				427,727			393,757
	Less current installments			(108,736	)		(8,084	)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current installments		$	318,991		$	385,673
Senior Notes	The senior notes have restrictive covenants that are similar to the Company’s credit facility, and had the following terms as of January 31, 2015:
	Amount				Type of Rate	Rate		Maturity Date
	(in millions)
	$	100.0			Fixed	5.31%			July 2015
		125			Fixed	6.20%			August 2017
		50			Fixed	5.70%			November 2020
		100			Fixed	5.21%			January 2022
	$	375.0

Retirement_Obligations_and_Oth1

Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Summary of Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities	Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities are comprised of the following:
		January 31,		February 1,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Pension liability	$	57,371	$	17,814
	Deferred compensation plans		33,867		33,904
	Post-retirement benefits		18,206		17,548
	Supplemental executive retirement plans		29,987		25,911
	Deferred gain on sale/leaseback		12,925		15,554
	Unfavorable lease liability		12,620		13,956
	Deferred rent		29,710		31,223
	Self-insurance reserves		12,583		14,468
	Developer incentive liability		15,197		16,869
	Income tax reserves		23,528		21,389
	Other noncurrent liabilities		10,564		8,707
	Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	$	256,558	$	217,343

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancelable Leases	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases, net of future minimum sublease rental income under non-cancelable subleases, as of January 31, 2015 were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	Capital			Operating
		(in thousands)
	2016		10,359			74,538
	2017		5,573			67,960
	2018		4,470			62,324
	2019		3,863			52,366
	2020		3,667			47,459
	After 2020		35,636			217,426
	Total		63,568			522,073
	Less sublease rental income		—			(2,773	)
	Net rentals		63,568		$	519,300
	Less imputed interest		(10,841	)
	Present value of minimum lease payments		52,727
	Less current portion		(8,736	)
	Noncurrent portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	$	43,991
Summary of Net Rental Expense for Operating Leases	Net rental expense for all operating leases consists of the following:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Buildings:
	Minimum rentals	$	71,888		$	74,811		$	73,940
	Contingent rentals		4,045			4,468			4,598
	Sublease rental income		(1,673	)		(1,898	)		(2,121	)
	Equipment		1,370			2,035			1,768
	Total net rental expense	$	75,630		$	79,416		$	78,185

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Federal and State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Federal and state income tax expense (benefit) was as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	58,518		$	40,273		$	59,152
	State		1,899			1,751			2,503
			60,417			42,024			61,655
	Deferred:
	Federal		11,972			38,213			35,045
	State		6,304			5,107			5,824
	Change in valuation allowances		—			—			(390	)
			18,276			43,320			40,479
	Income taxes	$	78,693		$	85,344		$	102,134
Summary of Reconciliation Between Income Taxes and Income Tax Expense Computed Using the Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation between income taxes and income tax expense computed using the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
		2015			2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Income tax at the statutory federal rate	$	78,664		$	85,356		$	101,677
	State income taxes, net of federal		4,669			3,816			5,261
	Increase in cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance		(5,374	)		(4,938	)		(4,552	)
	Net increase (decrease) in uncertain tax positions		(30	)		746			1,206
	Change in valuation allowances		—			—			(390	)
	Other		764			364			(1,068	)
	Income taxes	$	78,693		$	85,344		$	102,134
Summary of Deferred Taxes Assets and Liabilities	Deferred taxes based upon differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and available tax carryforwards consist of:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Pension liability	$	19,648		$	4,839
	Benefit plan costs		33,556			32,405
	Store closing and other reserves		22,749			24,675
	Inventory capitalization		7,382			7,641
	Tax carryovers		12,500			14,428
	Prepaid rent		11,691			12,330
	Goodwill		30,198			36,343
	Intangibles		5,757			5,778
	Other		20,028			10,086
	Gross deferred tax assets		163,509			148,525
	Deferred tax liabilities
	Property and equipment		149,266			135,390
	Intangibles		3,077			3,366
	Inventory		61,550			59,804
	Gross deferred tax liabilities		213,893			198,560
	Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$	(50,384	)	$	(50,035	)
Summary of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of total unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		January 31,			February 1,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	21,906		$	17,761
	Additions for tax positions from prior years		1,177			783
	Reductions for tax positions from prior years		(613	)		(773	)
	Additions for tax positions related to the current year		1,693			4,135
	Balance, end of year	$	24,163		$	21,906

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen1

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Change in the Projected Benefit Obligation, Change in Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized and Unrecognized, Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Actuarial Assumptions	The change in the projected benefit obligation, change in plan assets, funded status, amounts recognized and unrecognized, net periodic benefit cost and actuarial assumptions are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	547,220		$	566,428		$	12,256		$	12,890		$	19,375		$	23,279
	Service cost			—			—			155			163			74			119
	Interest cost			23,943			22,762			532			514			825			911
	Actuarial (gains) losses			99,359			(12,177	)		4,907			(142	)		1,513			(2,884	)
	Benefits paid			(30,233	)		(29,793	)		(1,194	)		(1,169	)		(1,868	)		(2,050	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year			640,289			547,220			16,656			12,256			19,919			19,375
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			529,406			490,350			—			—			—			—
	Actual return on plan assets			83,745			43,849			—			—			—			—
	Contributions to plan			—			25,000			1,194			1,169			1,868			2,050
	Benefits paid			(30,233	)		(29,793	)		(1,194	)		(1,169	)		(1,868	)		(2,050	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			582,918			529,406			—			—			—			—
	Funded Status		$	(57,371	)	$	(17,814	)	$	(16,656	)	$	(12,256	)	$	(19,919	)	$	(19,375	)
Summary of Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Accrued liabilities		$	—		$	—		$	1,145		$	1,144		$	1,713		$	1,827
	Deferred income tax assets			94,276			81,086			2,881			1,248			551			(26	)
	Retirement Obligations and other noncurrent liabilities			57,371			17,814			15,512			11,112			18,206			17,548
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(156,563	)		(134,209	)		(5,072	)		(2,306	)		(783	)		192
Summary of Obligation and Funded Status	Obligation and funded status are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Plan						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Projected benefit obligation		$	640,289		$	547,220		$	16,656		$	12,256		$	19,919		$	19,375
	Accumulated benefit obligation			640,289			547,220			15,974			11,414			N/A			N/A
	Fair value of plan assets			582,918			529,406			—			—			—			—
Activity Related to Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Activity related to plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
			Pension Benefits						Old SERP Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Adjustment to minimum liability		$	(28,748	)	$	24,808		$	(3,084	)	$	89		$	(951	)	$	1,298
	Amortization of unrecognized items:
	Net transition obligation			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Net gain/(loss)			6,394			4,055			318			332			(24	)		77
			$	(22,354	)	$	28,863		$	(2,766	)	$	421		$	(975	)	$	1,375
Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at the January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 measurement dates were as follows:
			Pension Plan						Old SERP Plan						Postretirement Plan
			Measurement Date						Measurement Date						Measurement Date
			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,			January 31,			February 1,
			2015			2014			2015			2014			2015			2014
	Discount rates			3.5	%		4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%		3.5	%		4.5	%
	Rates of compensation increase			N/A			N/A			4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A
Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal years shown:
			Pension Plan									Old SERP Plan									Postretirement Plan
			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013
	Discount rates			4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%		4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%		4.5	%		4.125	%		4.375	%
	Rates of compensation increase			N/A			N/A			N/A			4	%		4	%		4	%		N/A			N/A			N/A
	Return on plan assets			6.75	%		6.75	%		7.25	%		N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Schedule of Allocation of Pension Plan Assets	The asset allocation for the pension plan is as follows:
						Percentage of Plan Assets at Measurement Date
			Current			January 31, 2015			February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
			Target Allocation
	Equity securities and funds			30%-40	%		33	%		44	%		56	%
	Fixed income			60%-70	%		66	%		54	%		42	%
	Cash and cash equivalents			0%-5	%		1	%		2	%		2	%
	Total			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Schedule of Fair Values of the Pension Plan Assets	Fair values of the pension plan assets were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurement at												Fair Value Measurement at
						Reporting Date Using												Reporting Date Using
	Description		January 31,			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			February 1,			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant
			2015			in Active			Other			Unobservable			2014			in  Active			Other			Unobservable
						Markets for			Observable			Inputs						Markets for			Observable			Inputs
						Identical			Outputs			(Level 3)						Identical			Outputs			(Level 3)
						Assets			(Level 2)									Assets			(Level 2)
						(Level 1)												(Level 1)
						(in thousands)												(in thousands)
	Equity securities
	U.S. companies(a)		$	46,495		$	46,495		$	—		$	—		$	59,486		$	59,486		$	—		$	—
	U.S. Mutual Funds			88,603			—			88,603			—			109,622			—			109,622			—
	International mutual funds			42,478			42,478			—			—			51,362			51,362			—			—
	International companies			6,822			6,822			—			—			9,000			9,000			—			—
	Private equity			6,943			—			—			6,943			5,436			—			—			5,436
	Fixed income securities
	Corporate bonds			137,729			—			137,729			—			100,806			—			100,806			—
	Government securities			122,380			—			122,380			—			86,016			—			86,016			—
	Mutual funds			97,011			—			97,011			—			72,026			—			72,026			—
	Mortgage backed securities			16,761			—			16,761			—			17,102			—			17,102			—
	Municipals			9,364			—			9,364			—			9,580			—			9,580			—
	Cash and cash equivalents			8,332			—			8,332			—			8,970			—			8,970			—
	Total assets measured at fair value		$	582,918		$	95,795		$	480,180		$	6,943		$	529,406		$	119,848		$	404,122		$	5,436
	(a)	The U.S. equity securities consist of $44.1 million of large cap companies and $2.4 million of mid cap companies in in fiscal year 2015. The U.S. equity securities consisted of $59.2 million of large cap companies and $0.3 million of mid cap companies in fiscal year 2014.
Schedule of Reconciliation Pension Plan's Private Equity Funds	The following table provides a reconciliation of the fiscal year 2015 and 2014 beginning and ending balances of the pension plan’s private equity funds (Level 3):
	(in thousands)
	Balance as of February 2, 2013		$	5,534
	Calls of private equity investments			810
	Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in plan earnings			(202	)
	Distributions of private equity investments			(706	)
	Balance as of February 1, 2014			5,436
	Calls of private equity investments			1,844
	Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in plan earnings			3,380
	Distributions of private equity investments			(3,717	)
	Balance as of January 31, 2015		$	6,943
Schedule of Expected Benefits Payment	The Company expects to have the following benefit payments related to its pension, Old SERP and postretirement plans in the coming years:
	Fiscal Year		Pension Plan			Old SERP Plan			Postretirement Plan
			(in thousands)
	2016			31,586			1,165			1,743
	2017			31,751			1,686			2,085
	2018			31,971			1,275			1,995
	2019			32,196			1,165			1,909
	2020			32,399			1,264			1,885
	2021 — 2025			167,586			8,627			7,684
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Expense	The components of net periodic benefit expense are as follows:
			Fiscal Year Ended
			Pension Plan									Old SERP Plan									Postretirement Plan
			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,			January 31,			February 1,			February 2,
			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013			2015			2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Service cost		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	155		$	163		$	153		$	74		$	119		$	116
	Interest cost			23,943			22,762			23,418			532			514			557			825			911			1,064
	Expected return on assets			(30,118	)		(28,553	)		(28,962	)		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amortization of unrecognized items:
	Net transition obligation			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			—			196
	Net losses (gains)			10,190			18,525			11,367			508			528			477			(40	)		(692	)		430
	Annual benefit expense		$	4,015		$	12,734		$	5,823		$	1,195		$	1,205		$	1,187		$	859		$	338		$	1,806
Schedule of Estimated Amounts Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal year 2016 are as follows:
			Pension Benefits			Old SERP Plan			Postretirement
									Benefits
			(in thousands)
	Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)		$	11,858		$	969		$	—

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Activity under the LTI Plan	Activity under the LTI Plan during the year ended January 31, 2015 is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
		(in thousands)			Grant Date Fair Value
					per Share
	Non-vested at February 1, 2014		239		$	44.68
	Granted		276			48.1
	Changes in Performance Estimates		(6	)		48.1
	Vested		(181	)		43.24
	Forfeited		(41	)		47.09
	Non-vested at January 31, 2015		287		$	48.4

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Weighted-Average Basic and Diluted Shares	The reconciliation of weighted-average basic and diluted shares for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		January 31,		February 1,		February 2,
		2015		2014		2013
	Basic Shares		39,809,730		41,541,176		43,435,314
	Dilutive contingently-issuable non-vested share awards		102,312		269,925		272,862
	Dilutive contingently-issuable vested share awards		564		1,649		4,087
	Diluted Shares		39,912,606		41,812,750		43,712,263

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Value Measurements Related to Long-Lived Assets	The Company classifies these measurements as Level 3. In fiscal year 2015, the Company recorded $7.2 million in impairment charges primarily to adjust a retail location’s net book value to fair value.
		Property and Equipment
		(in thousands)
	Measured as of January 31, 2015:
	Carrying amount	$	7,040
	Fair value measurement		(149	)
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(7,189	)
	Measured as of February 1, 2014:
	Carrying amount	$	7,182
	Fair value measurement		2,222
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(4,960	)
	Measured as of February 2, 2013:
	Carrying amount	$	266
	Fair value measurement		—
	Impairment charge recognized	$	(266	)

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Company's Quarterly Results of Operation	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations for fiscal years 2015 and 2014:
			Three Months Ended
			January 31,		November 1,			August 2,		May 3,
			2015		2014			2014		2014
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenues		$	1,388,492	$	859,474		$	906,453	$	955,142
	Gross profit(1)			468,090		260,719			301,527		309,024
	Net income (loss)			104,367		(8,231	)		30,602		19,324
	Basic income (loss) per share			2.66		(0.21	)		0.77		0.47
	Diluted income (loss) per share			2.65		(0.21	)		0.77		0.47
			Three Months Ended
			February 1,		November 2,			August 3,		May 4,
			2014		2013			2013		2013
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenues		$	1,322,083	$	860,743		$	899,458	$	955,834
	Gross profit(1)			436,172		271,021			297,593		310,566
	Net income			96,261		3,560			30,521		28,191
	Basic income per share			2.35		0.09			0.74		0.66
	Diluted income per share			2.33		0.09			0.73		0.65
	-1	Gross profit represents revenues less cost of goods sold (including occupancy, distribution and buying expenses).

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
	Segment
	State
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of states with retail department stores	16
Number of operating segments	1
Net revenue received from leased departments	$2.10	$2.20	$2.20
Expiration date	30-Jun-16
Extended expiration date	31-Dec-17
Credit Income	93	90.2	85.9
Advertising costs, net of co-op recoveries from merchandise vendors	$164.80	$162.30	$164.10
Maximum days of maturity for liquid investments	90 days
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Realized percentage of recognized income tax position	50.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Fiscal Year End Dates and Number of Weeks (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
2016 [Member]
Schedule of Fiscal Year End Dates [Line Items]
End Date	30-Jan-16
Weeks	364 days
2015 [Member]
Schedule of Fiscal Year End Dates [Line Items]
End Date	31-Jan-15
Weeks	364 days
2014 [Member]
Schedule of Fiscal Year End Dates [Line Items]
End Date	1-Feb-14
Weeks	364 days
2013 [Member]
Schedule of Fiscal Year End Dates [Line Items]
End Date	2-Feb-13
Weeks	371 days

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of the Percentage Revenue Contribution by Each Merchandise Area (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Women's [Member]
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	33.00%	32.00%	33.00%
Cosmetics, Shoes and Accessories [Member]
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Men's [Member]
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	17.00%	18.00%	17.00%
Home [Member]
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	9.00%	9.00%	10.00%
Children's [Member]
Revenue Percentage By Contract Type [Line Items]
Revenue from merchandise areas, percentage	7.00%	7.00%	6.00%

Intangibles_Amortizing_Intangi

Intangibles - Amortizing Intangibles (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Favorable lease intangibles	$9,571	$9,960
Credit card and customer list intangibles	18,746	18,746
Other intangibles	5,277	5,277
Net amortizing intangible assets	5,195	7,422
Unfavorable lease intangibles	-23,825	-23,825
Net amortizing intangible liabilities	-12,620	-13,956
Favorable Lease Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	-5,711	-5,431
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	-17,579	-16,413
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	-5,109	-4,717
Unfavorable Lease Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	$11,205	$9,869

Intangibles_Additional_Informa

Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Net Amortization expense	$0.70	$0.60	$0.30

Asset_Impairment_and_Exit_Cost2

Asset Impairment and Exit Costs - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
	Store	Store	Store
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Asset impairment charges	$7,200,000	$5,000,000	$300,000
Number of stores that incurred termination fee	1	1
Real estate holding costs	3,100,000	1,100,000
Termination fee	500,000	700,000
Relocate of one retail location fee	1,700,000	300,000
Exit costs charges associated with closing of eight retail locations	700,000		200,000
Number of stores closed	8		2
Number of retail locations adjusted for impairment		2	2
Rent adjustment amount due to space reduction			700,000
Number of stores adjusted for space reduction			2
Post-closing real estate lease obligations	$2,143,000	$686,000	$1,422,000

Asset_Impairment_and_Exit_Cost3

Asset Impairment and Exit Costs - Summary of Post-Closing Real Estate Lease Obligations Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$686	$1,422
Charges and adjustments	2,977	1,210
Utilization / payments	-1,520	-1,946
Balance, end of year	$2,143	$686

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) for defined benefit plans	($162.40)	($136.30)
Accumulated income taxes on accumulated other comprehensive loss for defined benefit plans	97.7	82.3
Amount reclassified from accumulated comprehensive income	6.7	8.2
Amount reclassified from accumulated comprehensive income, tax effect	$4	$4.90

Accounts_Receivable_Net_Summar

Accounts Receivable, Net - Summary of Accounts Receivable, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable from vendors	$37,276	$34,902
Credit card accounts receivable	19,768	16,759
Other receivables	3,531	3,679
Accounts receivable, net	$60,575	$55,340

Property_and_Equipment_net_Sum

Property and Equipment, net - Summary of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	2,860,569	$2,645,206
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-1,586,423	-1,487,140
Property and equipment, net	1,274,146	1,158,066
Land [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	46,116	47,255
Buildings [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	1,266,995	1,198,149
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	15 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	31 years 6 months 0 days
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	1,389,533	1,286,992
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	3 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	20 years
Property Under Capital Leases [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	101,579	80,075
Property Under Capital Leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	5 years
Property Under Capital Leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Estimated Lives (in years)	20 years
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	56,346	$32,735

Property_and_Equipment_net_Add

Property and Equipment, net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	$154.20	$136.50	$122.30
Accumulated amortization of assets under capital lease	$66.80	$61.10

Gain_on_Property_and_Equipment1

Gain on Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2013	Feb. 01, 2014
	Store	Store
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life and Values [Abstract]
Sale lease back transaction amortization of deferred gain	$2.60	$2.60	$2.60
Gains on sale of property	4	1.4
Number of former retail locations sold	1	2
Gain on Insurance proceeds	$1	$1

Accrued_Liabilities_Schedule_o

Accrued Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$48,012	$45,752
Gift card liability	46,833	42,721
Advertising	15,374	26,421
Accrued capital expenditures	32,993	25,584
Sales returns allowance	24,417	23,293
Taxes, other than income	23,807	20,405
Rent	7,646	7,306
Interest	7,466	7,285
Self insurance reserves	7,062	6,126
Belk reward card loyalty program	7,342	4,546
Store closing reserves	1,015	686
Other	32,117	29,533
Accrued Liabilities	$254,084	$239,658

Borrowings_Schedule_of_Longter

Borrowings - Schedule of Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Senior Notes, Amount	$375,000	$100,000	$375,000
Capital lease agreements through November 2029	52,727		18,757
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations current and non current	427,727		393,757
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations current and non current	427,727		393,757
Less current installments	-108,736		-8,084
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current installments	$318,991		$385,673

Borrowings_Additional_Informat

Borrowings - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 12, 2012	Oct. 22, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current installments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations		$108,736,000	$8,084,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturities, Amount in year two		4,200,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturities, Amount in year three		128,300,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturities, Amount in year four		2,800,000
Long-term debt maturities repayments of principal, Amount in year five		2,700,000
Maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, interest		27,000,000	27,100,000	30,500,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations capitalized into property and equipment		1,200,000	2,000,000	1,700,000
Line of credit facility, interest rate description		(1) current LIBOR plus the applicable spread which ranges from 0.875% to 1.75%, or (2) the greater of the primate rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the one-month LIBOR plus 1.0% (the "Base Rate"), plus the applicable spread which ranges from 0.0% to 0.75%.
Credit facility, applicable leverage ratio		196.00%
Credit facility, current borrowing capacity		486,000,000
Senior Notes, Amount		375,000,000	375,000,000				100,000,000
Senior note, fixed interest rate							5.31%
State bond facility	17,800,000
State bond facility maturity term	20 years
Unamortized fees				-127,000
5.05% Fixed Rate Senior Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note, fixed interest rate					5.05%
Payment of senior note on maturity					20,000,000
5.2% Floating Rate Senior Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior note, fixed interest rate					5.20%
Payment of senior note on maturity					80,000,000
Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						100,000,000
Federal Fund Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						0.50%
Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						1.00%
Leverage Ratio [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						1.13%
State Bond Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
State bond facility Percentage of variable interest rate	0.20%
State bond facility expiration year		2025-10
Unamortized fees	100,000
Cancelled letters of credit under the credit facility	18,000,000
New Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						500,000,000
Line of credit facility, maturity year and month		2019-10
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Standby letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility		$14,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						0.00%
Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						0.88%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						0.75%
Credit facility, applicable leverage ratio						400.00%
Maximum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, applicable spread rate						1.75%

Borrowings_Senior_Notes_Detail

Borrowings - Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Feb. 01, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount	$375,000	$100,000	$375,000
Senior Notes, Rate		5.31%
Senior Notes Maturity Date July 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount	100,000
Senior Notes, Type of Rate	Fixed
Senior Notes, Rate	5.31%
Senior Notes, Maturity Date	2015-07
Senior Notes Maturity Date August 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount	125,000
Senior Notes, Type of Rate	Fixed
Senior Notes, Rate	6.20%
Senior Notes, Maturity Date	2017-08
Senior Notes Maturity Date November 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount	50,000
Senior Notes, Type of Rate	Fixed
Senior Notes, Rate	5.70%
Senior Notes, Maturity Date	2020-11
Senior Notes Maturity Date January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Amount	$100,000
Senior Notes, Type of Rate	Fixed
Senior Notes, Rate	5.21%
Senior Notes, Maturity Date	2022-01

Retirement_Obligations_and_Oth2

Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities - Summary of Retirement Obligations and Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension liability	$57,371	$17,814
Deferred compensation plans	33,867	33,904
Post-retirement benefits	18,206	17,548
Supplemental executive retirement plans	29,987	25,911
Deferred gain on sale/leaseback	12,925	15,554
Unfavorable lease liability	12,620	13,956
Deferred rent	29,710	31,223
Self-insurance reserves	12,583	14,468
Developer incentive liability	15,197	16,869
Income tax reserves	23,528	21,389
Other noncurrent liabilities	10,564	8,707
Retirement obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	$256,558	$217,343

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Lease expiration period	15 years

Leases_Summary_of_Future_Minim

Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments under Non-cancelable Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]
Capital leases, 2016	$10,359
Capital leases, 2017	5,573
Capital leases, 2018	4,470
Capital leases, 2019	3,863
Capital leases, 2020	3,667
Capital leases, After 2020	35,636
Capital leases, Total	63,568
Capital leases, Less sublease rental income	0
Capital leases, Net rentals	63,568
Capital leases, Less imputed interest	-10,841
Capital leases, Present value of minimum lease payments	52,727
Capital leases, Present value of minimum lease payments	52,727
Capital leases, Less current portion	-8,736
Capital leases, Noncurrent portion of the present value of minimum lease payments	43,991
Operating leases, 2016	74,538
Operating leases, 2017	67,960
Operating leases, 2018	62,324
Operating leases, 2019	52,366
Operating leases, 2020	47,459
Operating leases, After 2020	217,426
Operating leases, Total	522,073
Operating leases, Less sublease rental income	-2,773
Operating leases, Net rentals	$519,300

Leases_Summary_of_Net_Rental_E

Leases - Summary of Net Rental Expense for Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total net rental expense	$75,630	$79,416	$78,185
Buildings [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Minimum rentals	71,888	74,811	73,940
Contingent rentals	4,045	4,468	4,598
Sublease rental income	-1,673	-1,898	-2,121
Equipment [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Equipment	$1,370	$2,035	$1,768

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Federa

Income Taxes - Summary of Federal and State Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Current:
Federal	$58,518	$40,273	$59,152
State	1,899	1,751	2,503
Total current income tax expense (benefit)	60,417	42,024	61,655
Deferred:
Federal	11,972	38,213	35,045
State	6,304	5,107	5,824
Change in valuation allowances			-390
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)	18,276	43,320	40,479
Income taxes	$78,693	$85,344	$102,134

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2013	Feb. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%
Valuation allowance release		($390,000)
Net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes	275,000,000
State credit amount	1,600,000
Gross state charitable contribution carryforwards	13,400,000
Gross state charitable contribution expiration period	2020
Total gross unrecognized tax benefit	24,163,000	17,761,000	21,906,000
Unrecognized tax benefits (net of the federal benefit on state issues)	6,700,000
Accrued interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits net of tax benefit	1,400,000
Tax expense recognized on accrued interest and penalties	$300,000
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Tax carryforwards expiration period	2028
Job credits expiration year	2029
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Tax carryforwards expiration period	2024
Job credits expiration year	2016

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Reconc

Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation Between Income Taxes and Income Tax Expense Computed Using the Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax at the statutory federal rate	$78,664	$85,356	$101,677
State income taxes, net of federal	4,669	3,816	5,261
Increase in cash surrender value of officers' life insurance	-5,374	-4,938	-4,552
Net increase (decrease) in uncertain tax positions	-30	746	1,206
Change in valuation allowances			-390
Other	764	364	-1,068
Income taxes	$78,693	$85,344	$102,134

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Deferr

Income Taxes - Summary of Deferred Taxes Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Pension liability	$19,648	$4,839
Benefit plan costs	33,556	32,405
Store closing and other reserves	22,749	24,675
Inventory capitalization	7,382	7,641
Tax carryovers	12,500	14,428
Prepaid rent	11,691	12,330
Goodwill	30,198	36,343
Intangibles	5,757	5,778
Other	20,028	10,086
Gross deferred tax assets	163,509	148,525
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment	149,266	135,390
Intangibles	3,077	3,366
Inventory	61,550	59,804
Gross deferred tax liabilities	213,893	198,560
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	($50,384)	($50,035)

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Reconc1

Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of year	$21,906	$17,761
Additions for tax positions from prior years	1,177	783
Reductions for tax positions from prior years	-613	-773
Additions for tax positions related to the current year	1,693	4,135
Balance, end of year	$24,163	$21,906

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen2

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Change in the Projected Benefit Obligation, Change in Plan Assets, Funded Status, Amounts Recognized and Unrecognized, Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Actuarial Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$582,918	$529,406
Pension Benefits [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	547,220	566,428
Interest cost	23,943	22,762	23,418
Actuarial (gains) losses	99,359	-12,177
Benefits paid	-30,233	-29,793
Benefit obligation at end of year	640,289	547,220	566,428
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	529,406	490,350
Actual return on plan assets	83,745	43,849
Contributions to plan		25,000
Benefits paid	-30,233	-29,793
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	582,918	529,406	490,350
Funded Status	-57,371	-17,814
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	12,256	12,890
Service cost	155	163	153
Interest cost	532	514	557
Actuarial (gains) losses	4,907	-142
Benefits paid	-1,194	-1,169
Benefit obligation at end of year	16,656	12,256	12,890
Change in plan assets:
Contributions to plan	1,194	1,169
Benefits paid	-1,194	-1,169
Funded Status	-16,656	-12,256
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	19,375	23,279
Service cost	74	119	116
Interest cost	825	911	1,064
Actuarial (gains) losses	1,513	-2,884
Benefits paid	-1,868	-2,050
Benefit obligation at end of year	19,919	19,375	23,279
Change in plan assets:
Contributions to plan	1,868	2,050
Benefits paid	-1,868	-2,050
Funded Status	($19,919)	($19,375)

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen3

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($162,400)	($136,300)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deferred income tax assets	94,276	81,086
Retirement Obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	57,371	17,814
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-156,563	-134,209
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	1,145	1,144
Deferred income tax assets	2,881	1,248
Retirement Obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	15,512	11,112
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-5,072	-2,306
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued liabilities	1,713	1,827
Deferred income tax assets	551	-26
Retirement Obligations and other noncurrent liabilities	18,206	17,548
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	($783)	$192

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen4

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Summary of Obligation and Funded Status (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$582,918	$529,406
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	640,289	547,220	566,428
Accumulated benefit obligation	640,289	547,220
Fair value of plan assets	582,918	529,406	490,350
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	16,656	12,256	12,890
Accumulated benefit obligation	15,974	11,414
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$19,919	$19,375	$23,279

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen5

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Activity Related to Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Adjustment to minimum liability	($28,748)	$24,808
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0
Net gain/(loss)	6,394	4,055
Total recognized from other comprehensive income	-22,354	28,863
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Adjustment to minimum liability	-3,084	89
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0
Net gain/(loss)	318	332
Total recognized from other comprehensive income	-2,766	421
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Adjustment to minimum liability	-951	1,298
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0	196
Net gain/(loss)	-24	77
Total recognized from other comprehensive income	($975)	$1,375

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen6

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations (Detail)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	3.50%	4.50%
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	3.50%	4.50%
Rates of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	3.50%	4.50%

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen7

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	4.50%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	4.50%	4.13%	4.38%
Return on plan assets	6.75%	6.75%	7.25%
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	4.50%	4.13%	4.38%
Rates of compensation increase	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	4.50%	4.13%	4.38%

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen8

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Noncallable Bonds for Developing Discount Rate	500
Discount rates	4.50%
Annual rate of increase in per capita cost of covered benefit	7.20%
Assumption to decrease rate	5.00%
Assumption to decrease rate over years	6 years
Increase or decrease assumed health care cost	1.00%
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, Increase	400,000
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, Decrease	400,000
Aggregate service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit, Increase	100,000
Aggregate service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit, decrease	100,000
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Allocation of pension plan assets	66.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Allocation of pension plan assets	33.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rates	4.50%	4.13%	4.38%
Employer contribution to Pension Plan		25,000,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer estimated contribution to defined benefit plan	1,200,000
Employer contributed in defined benefit plan	1,200,000	1,200,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer estimated contribution to defined benefit plan	1,700,000
Employer contributed in defined benefit plan	1,900,000	$2,100,000

Pension_SERP_and_Postretiremen9

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Allocation of Pension Plan Assets (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current Target Plan asset allocations, minimum	100.00%
Current Target Plan asset allocations, maximum	100.00%
Allocation of pension plan assets	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities and Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current Target Plan asset allocations, minimum	30.00%
Current Target Plan asset allocations, maximum	40.00%
Allocation of pension plan assets	33.00%	44.00%	56.00%
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current Target Plan asset allocations, minimum	60.00%
Current Target Plan asset allocations, maximum	70.00%
Allocation of pension plan assets	66.00%	54.00%	42.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Current Target Plan asset allocations, minimum	0.00%
Current Target Plan asset allocations, maximum	5.00%
Allocation of pension plan assets	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%

Recovered_Sheet1

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Fair Values of the Pension Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	$582,918	$529,406
U.S. Companies(a) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	46,495	59,486
U.S. Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	88,603	109,622
International Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	42,478	51,362
International companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	6,822	9,000
Private Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	6,943	5,436
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	137,729	100,806
Government Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	122,380	86,016
Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	97,011	72,026
Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	16,761	17,102
Municipals [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	9,364	9,580
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	8,332	8,970
Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	95,795	119,848
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Companies(a) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	46,495	59,486
Level 1 [Member] | International Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	42,478	51,362
Level 1 [Member] | International companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	6,822	9,000
Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	480,180	404,122
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	88,603	109,622
Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	137,729	100,806
Level 2 [Member] | Government Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	122,380	86,016
Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	97,011	72,026
Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	16,761	17,102
Level 2 [Member] | Municipals [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	9,364	9,580
Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	8,332	8,970
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	6,943	5,436
Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value	$6,943	$5,436

Recovered_Sheet2

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Fair Values of the Pension Plan Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$582,918	$529,406
Large Cap Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	44,100	59,200
Mid Cap Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$2,400	$300

Recovered_Sheet3

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Reconciliation Pension Plan's Private Equity Funds (Detail) (Private Equity [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Private Equity [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$5,436	$5,534
Calls of private equity investments	1,844	810
Total gains/(losses) realized/unrealized included in plan earnings	3,380	-202
Distributions of private equity investments	-3,717	-706
Ending Balance	$6,943	$5,436

Recovered_Sheet4

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Expected Benefits Payment (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2016	$31,586
2017	31,751
2018	31,971
2019	32,196
2020	32,399
2021 - 2025	167,586
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2016	1,165
2017	1,686
2018	1,275
2019	1,165
2020	1,264
2021 - 2025	8,627
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2016	1,743
2017	2,085
2018	1,995
2019	1,909
2020	1,885
2021 - 2025	$7,684

Recovered_Sheet5

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	$23,943	$22,762	$23,418
Expected return on assets	-30,118	-28,553	-28,962
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0
Net losses (gains)	10,190	18,525	11,367
Annual benefit expense	4,015	12,734	5,823
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	155	163	153
Interest cost	532	514	557
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0
Net losses (gains)	508	528	477
Annual benefit expense	1,195	1,205	1,187
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	74	119	116
Interest cost	825	911	1,064
Amortization of unrecognized items:
Net transition obligation	0	0	196
Net losses (gains)	-40	-692	430
Annual benefit expense	$859	$338	$1,806

Recovered_Sheet6

Pension, SERP and Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Estimated Amounts Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	$11,858
Old SERP Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	$969

Other_Employee_Benefits_Additi

Other Employee Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Expenses recognized by company under insurance plans	$53,900,000	$55,200,000	$52,400,000
Cost of plan	9,400,000	8,900,000	8,800,000
Employers matching contribution percentage as of specified employees contribution	100.00%
Minimum [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Interest on employees deferred compensation at various rates	5.00%
Maximum [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Interest on employees deferred compensation at various rates	15.00%
401(k) Savings Plan [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Employers matching contribution percentage as of specified employees contribution	50.00%
Employees matching contribution percentage at specified employers contribution	4.00%
Employees matching contribution percentage at additional specified employers contribution	2.00%
Total employers matching contribution on eligible compensation	5.00%
Non-qualified 401(k) Restoration Plan [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Cost of plan	500,000	900,000	1,000,000
Total employers matching contribution on eligible compensation	5.00%
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Total employers matching contribution on eligible compensation	5.00%
Interest cost	1,000,000	1,200,000	1,300,000
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Interest cost	3,700,000	3,800,000	3,900,000
Pension Restoration Plan [Member]
Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Cost of plan	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 29, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized shares of class B common stock	2,500,000
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$5.10	$6.90	$11
LTI Performance period	1 year
LTI Service period	2 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	4.5	2.4	4.9
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	$48.10	$50	$40.80
Total fair value of service-based stock grants vested	7.8
Stretch Incentive Plan 11 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		0.3
Maximum target award level set for achievement	150.00%
Minimum target award achievement level as of cumulative earnings before interest and taxes goal	110.00%
Minimum target award achievement level as of sales goal	103.00%
Stretch Incentive Plan 11 [Member] | Class B Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	144,099	138,631
Share price of shares granted	$48.10	$50
Stretch Incentive Plan 14 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		2.4
Granted	0
Service Based Stock Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost		0.6
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted			$40.80	$26
Total fair value of service-based stock grants vested				$0.30
Granted			25,000	10,000
Issuable service stock awards			12,500
Remaining issuable service stock awards			12,500
Service stock awards, vested		5,000		5,000
Service Based Stock Award [Member] | Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service-based award forfeited shares	25,000

StockBased_Compensation_Activi

Stock-Based Compensation - Activity under the LTI Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	$48.10	$50	$40.80
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested at February 1, 2014	239,000
Granted	276,000
Changes in Performance Estimates	-6,000
Vested	-181,000
Forfeited	-41,000
Non-vested at January 31, 2015	287,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning Balance	$44.68
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	$48.10
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Changes in Performance Estimates	$48.10
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	$43.24
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited	$47.09
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Ending Balance	$48.40

Purchase_Obligations_Additiona

Purchase Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Annual amount of purchase obligations due within one year	$59.90
Annual amount of purchase obligations due within one to three years	18.9
Annual amount of purchase obligations due within three to five years	$6.90

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Weighted-Average Basic and Diluted Shares (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Basic Shares	39,809,730	41,541,176	43,435,314
Diluted Shares	39,912,606	41,812,750	43,712,263
Non-vested Share Awards [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Dilutive contingently-issuable	102,312	269,925	272,862
Vested Share Awards [Member]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Dilutive contingently-issuable	564	1,649	4,087

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Life insurance corporate or bank owned fair value amount	$28.60	$27.30
Loans secured by company-owned life insurance	164.1	157.9
Company-owned life insurance assets, gross	192.7	185.2
Available option period	20 years
Asset impairment charges	7.2	5	0.3
Fair value of fixed rate long-term debt	400.9	393.1
Carrying value of long-term debt	$375	$375

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Measurements Related to Long-Lived Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Summary of fair value measurements related to long-lived assets
Fair value measurement, carrying amount	$1,274,146	$1,158,066
Level 3 [Member]
Summary of fair value measurements related to long-lived assets
Fair value measurement, carrying amount	7,040	7,182	266
Fair value measurement	149	2,222
Impairment charge recognized	($7,189)	($4,960)	($266)

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	21-May-14	Jan. 31, 2015	Mar. 26, 2014	Mar. 26, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014
Common stock, shares authorized		400,000,000			400,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized		20,000,000
Par value of preferred stock		$0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding		39,300,000			41,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding		0
Basis of conversion of common stock		Class A shares are convertible into Class B shares on a 1 for 1 basis, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the holder.
Class A convertible into Class B, conversion ratio		100.00%
Purchase cost	$94.30
Common Stock [Member]
Price per share of shares purchased under self-tender offer			$48.10
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized		200,000,000
Par value of common stock		$0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding		38,317,436
Voting rights of common stock		Class A stockholders are entitled to 10 votes per share
Common stock voting rights		10
Dividend declared			$0.80
Self tender offer to repurchase, maximum			1,500,000
Purchase of common shares	1,704,754
Class A Common Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividend declared				$0.80
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized		200,000,000
Par value of common stock		$0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding		946,967
Voting rights of common stock		Class B stockholders are entitled to one vote per share
Dividend declared			$0.80
Self tender offer to repurchase, maximum			580,000
Purchase of common shares	256,257
Class B Common Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividend declared				$0.80

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) - Summary of Company's Quarterly Results of Operation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015	Nov. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2014	3-May-14	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	4-May-13	Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$1,388,492	$859,474	$906,453	$955,142	$1,322,083	$860,743	$899,458	$955,834	$4,109,561	$4,038,118	$3,956,866
Gross profit	468,090	260,719	301,527	309,024	436,172	271,021	297,593	310,566
Net income	$104,367	($8,231)	$30,602	$19,324	$96,261	$3,560	$30,521	$28,191	$146,062	$158,533	$188,370
Basic income (loss) per share	$2.66	($0.21)	$0.77	$0.47	$2.35	$0.09	$0.74	$0.66	$3.67	$3.82	$4.34
Diluted income (loss) per share	$2.65	($0.21)	$0.77	$0.47	$2.33	$0.09	$0.73	$0.65	$3.66	$3.79	$4.31