Big Lots (BIGGQ) 10-K 1 Apr 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Mar. 28, 2014	Aug. 03, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--02-01	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	58,152,451	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	'	$2,075,281,384
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	1-Feb-14	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000768835	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BIG LOTS INC	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net sales	$5,301,912	$5,367,165	$5,159,249
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation expense shown separately below)	3,236,606	3,254,837	3,096,200
Gross margin	2,065,306	2,112,328	2,063,049
Selling and administrative expenses	1,759,745	1,708,160	1,629,218
Depreciation expense	115,122	106,137	90,135
Operating profit	190,439	298,031	343,696
Interest expense	-3,339	-4,192	-3,530
Other income (expense)	-1,213	51	-173
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	185,887	293,890	339,993
Income tax expense	61,118	116,921	133,835
Income from continuing operations	124,769	176,969	206,158
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax expense of $351, $195 and $710 in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively	526	152	906
Net income	$125,295	$177,121	$207,064
Earnings per common share - basic	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$2.17	$2.96	$3.02
Discontinued operations	$0.01	$0	$0.01
Earnings per common share - basic	$2.18	$2.96	$3.03
Earnings per common share - diluted	'	'	'
Continuing operations	$2.15	$2.93	$2.97
Discontinued operations	$0.01	$0	$0.01
Earnings per common share - diluted	$2.16	$2.93	$2.98

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation, tax expense (benefit)	$351	$195	$710

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Net income	$125,295	$177,121	$207,064
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-3,589	-383	-1,050
Amortization of pension, net of tax benefit of $(665), $(921), and $(703), respectively	1,005	1,403	1,066
Valuation adjustment of pension, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(1,589), $(766), and $3,337, respectively	2,403	1,169	-5,065
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-181	2,189	-5,049
Comprehensive income	$125,114	$179,310	$202,015

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'
Amortization of pension, tax	($665)	($921)	($703)
Valuation adjustment of pension, tax	($1,589)	($766)	$3,337

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$68,629	$60,581
Inventories	914,965	918,023
Deferred income taxes	59,781	37,696
Other current assets	77,686	74,330
Total current assets	1,121,061	1,090,630
Property and equipment - net	569,682	593,562
Deferred income taxes	5,106	0
Goodwill	0	13,522
Other assets	43,750	55,912
Total assets	1,739,599	1,753,626
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	365,772	393,652
Property, payroll, and other taxes	73,334	74,973
Accrued operating expenses	57,167	53,788
Insurance reserves	37,607	36,861
KB bankruptcy lease obligation	0	3,069
Accrued salaries and wages	29,175	26,753
Income taxes payable	14,392	40,538
Total current liabilities	577,447	629,634
Long-term obligations	77,000	171,200
Deferred income taxes	0	2,693
Deferred rent	76,364	73,658
Insurance reserves	55,755	63,332
Unrecognized tax benefits	17,975	16,335
Other liabilities	33,631	38,632
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred shares - authorized 2,000 shares; $0.01 par value; none issued	0	0
Common shares - authorized 298,000 shares; $0.01 par value; issued 117,495 shares; outstanding 57,548 shares and 57,269 shares, respectively	1,175	1,175
Treasury shares - 59,947 shares and 60,226 shares, respectively, at cost	-1,670,041	-1,677,610
Additional paid-in capital	562,447	551,845
Retained earnings	2,021,357	1,896,062
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-13,511	-13,330
Total shareholders' equity	901,427	758,142
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,739,599	$1,753,626

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred shares - authorized shares (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Preferred shares - par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred shares - shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common shares - authorized shares (in shares)	298,000	298,000
Common shares - par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common shares - shares issued (in shares)	117,495	117,495
Common shares - outstanding shares (in shares)	57,548	57,269
Treasury shares - shares (in shares)	59,947	60,226

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Jan. 29, 2011	$946,793	$1,175	($1,079,130)	$523,341	$1,511,877	($10,470)
Treasury stock (in shares) at Jan. 29, 2011	'	'	43,601,000	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 29, 2011	'	73,894,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	202,015	0	0	0	207,064	-5,049
Purchases of common shares	-363,957	0	-363,957	0	0	0
Purchases of common shares, (in shares)	'	-11,063,000	11,063,000	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	10,409	0	12,800	-2,391	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	500,085	500,000	-500,000	'	'	'
Restricted shares vested	0	0	6,731	-6,731	0	0
Restricted shares vested, (in shares)	'	271,000	-271,000	'	'	'
Tax benefit from share-based awards	2,701	0	0	2,701	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan	279	0	32	247	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan (in shares)	'	7,000	-7,000	'	'	'
Share-based employee compensation expense	24,993	0	0	24,993	0	0
Balance at Jan. 28, 2012	823,233	1,175	-1,423,524	542,160	1,718,941	-15,519
Treasury stock (in shares) at Jan. 28, 2012	'	'	53,886,000	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 28, 2012	'	63,609,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	179,310	0	0	0	177,121	2,189
Purchases of common shares	-304,038	0	-304,038	0	0	0
Purchases of common shares, (in shares)	'	-8,232,000	8,232,000	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	33,288	0	37,266	-3,978	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	1,406,262	1,406,000	-1,406,000	'	'	'
Restricted shares vested	0	0	12,649	-12,649	0	0
Restricted shares vested, (in shares)	'	478,000	-478,000	'	'	'
Tax benefit from share-based awards	8,117	0	0	8,117	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan	353	0	37	316	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan (in shares)	'	8,000	-8,000	'	'	'
Share-based employee compensation expense	17,879	0	0	17,879	0	0
Balance at Feb. 02, 2013	758,142	1,175	-1,677,610	551,845	1,896,062	-13,330
Treasury stock (in shares) at Feb. 02, 2013	60,226,000	'	60,226,000	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Feb. 02, 2013	57,269,000	57,269,000	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	125,114	0	0	0	125,295	-181
Purchases of common shares	-214	0	-214	0	0	0
Purchases of common shares, (in shares)	'	-6,000	6,000	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	4,884	0	5,949	-1,065	0	0
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	213,520	214,000	-214,000	'	'	'
Restricted shares vested	0	0	1,805	-1,805	0	0
Restricted shares vested, (in shares)	'	65,000	-65,000	'	'	'
Tax benefit from share-based awards	123	0	0	123	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan	195	0	29	166	0	0
Share activity related to deferred compensation plan (in shares)	'	6,000	-6,000	'	'	'
Share-based employee compensation expense	13,183	0	0	13,183	0	0
Balance at Feb. 01, 2014	$901,427	$1,175	($1,670,041)	$562,447	$2,021,357	($13,511)
Treasury stock (in shares) at Feb. 01, 2014	59,947,000	'	59,947,000	'	'	'
Balance (in shares) at Feb. 01, 2014	57,548,000	57,548,000	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$125,295	$177,121	$207,064
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	102,196	95,602	82,851
Deferred income taxes	-32,138	12,482	10,456
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	13,183	17,879	24,993
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	-123	-8,144	-2,701
Non-cash impairment charge	21,091	984	2,242
Loss on disposition of equipment	-3,036	432	1,376
Pension expense, net of contributions	3,378	3,810	2,023
Change in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisition and foreign currency adjustments:	'	'	'
Inventories	1,385	-92,721	-54,512
Accounts payable	-27,468	43,460	31,555
Current income taxes	-28,538	9,844	10,293
Other current assets	420	-4,078	-6,082
Other current liabilities	4,350	397	-16,465
Other assets	10,300	-17,894	-4,098
Other liabilities	8,039	41,959	29,476
Net cash provided by operating activities	198,334	281,133	318,471
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-104,786	-131,273	-131,293
Cash proceeds from sale of property and equipment	7,260	912	867
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0	0	1,835
Return from restricted account	0	0	8,000
Other	31	4	-121
Net cash used in investing activities	-97,495	-130,357	-120,712
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Net proceeds from borrowings under bank credit facility	-94,200	105,300	65,900
Payment of notes payable	0	0	-16,664
Payment of capital lease obligations	-1,089	-1,321	-1,953
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,884	33,288	10,409
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	123	8,144	2,701
Payment for treasury shares acquired	-214	-304,038	-363,957
Deferred bank credit facility fees paid	-895	0	-2,970
Other	195	353	279
Net cash used in financing activities	-91,196	-158,274	-306,255
Impact of foreign currency on cash	-1,595	-468	-496
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,048	-7,966	-108,992
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'	'
Beginning of period	60,581	68,547	177,539
End of period	$68,629	$60,581	$68,547

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Description of Business
	We are the largest broadline closeout retailer in the U.S.  At February 1, 2014, we operated 1,570 stores in the United States of America (“U.S.”) and Canada. Our goal is to strengthen and build upon our leadership position in broadline closeout retailing by providing our customers with great savings on brand-name closeouts and other value-priced merchandise.
	During the first quarter of 2014, we ceased all operations in Canada. Please see the Canadian Segment section of note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on the wind down of our operations in Canada.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include Big Lots, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and include all of our accounts. We consolidate all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Management Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions creates a level of uncertainty with respect to reported or disclosed amounts in our consolidated financial statements or accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, judgments, and assumptions, including those that management considers critical to the accurate presentation and disclosure of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates, judgments, and assumptions on historical experience, current trends, and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the inherent uncertainty in using estimates, judgments, and assumptions, actual results may differ from these estimates.
	Fiscal Periods
	Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31, which results in fiscal years consisting of 52 or 53 weeks.  Unless otherwise stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years rather than calendar years.  Fiscal year 2013 (“2013”) is comprised of the 52 weeks that began on February 3, 2013 and ended on February 1, 2014.  Fiscal year 2012 (“2012”) was comprised of the 53 weeks that began on January 29, 2012 and ended on February 2, 2013.  Fiscal year 2011 (“2011”) was comprised of the 52 weeks that began on January 30, 2011 and ended on January 28, 2012.
	Segment Reporting
	We manage our broadline closeout retailing business based on two segments: the U.S. and Canada.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of amounts on deposit with financial institutions, outstanding checks, credit and debit card receivables, and highly liquid investments, including money market funds and variable rate demand notes, which are unrestricted to withdrawal or use and which have an original maturity of three months or less. We review cash and cash equivalent balances on a bank by bank basis in order to identify book overdrafts. Book overdrafts occur when the amount of outstanding checks exceed the cash deposited at a given bank. We reclassify book overdrafts, if any, to accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts due from banks for credit and debit card transactions are typically settled in less than seven days, and at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, totaled $24.5 million and $24.6 million, respectively.
	Restricted Cash
	Our restricted cash served as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we would fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with self-insurance. The cash was on deposit with our insurance carrier.
	Investments
	Investment securities are classified as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, or trading at the date of purchase. Investments are recorded at fair value as either current assets or non-current assets based on the stated maturity or our plans to either hold or sell the investment. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are recognized in earnings. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized in other comprehensive income, until realized. We did not own any held-to-maturity or available-for-sale securities as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013.
	Merchandise Inventories
	Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the average cost retail inventory method. Cost includes any applicable inbound shipping and handling costs associated with the receipt of merchandise into our distribution centers (See the discussion below under the caption “Selling and Administrative Expenses” for additional information regarding outbound shipping and handling costs to our stores). Market is determined based on the estimated net realizable value, which generally is the merchandise selling price. Under the average cost retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into classes of merchandise having similar characteristics at its current retail selling value. Current retail selling values are converted to a cost basis by applying an average cost factor to each specific merchandise class' retail selling value. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio computed using beginning inventory and all fiscal year-to-date purchase activity specific to each merchandise class.
	Under our previous inventory management system which was used through the end of 2011, we calculated average cost at the department level which constituted 50 inventory cost pools. On January 29, 2012, the first day of 2012, we completed the implementation of our new inventory management systems, which has allowed us to more precisely determine our inventory cost under the average cost retail inventory method. We now calculate average cost at the class level which constitutes approximately 350 inventory cost pools.
	As the impact of the accounting change in the beginning of the 2012 inventory was immaterial, we recognized the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle as an expense in 2012 by recording a reduction in inventory and a corresponding increase to cost of sales of approximately $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. This non-cash charge reduced the 2012 income from continuing operations and net income by approximately $3.4 million and reduced 2012 basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by $0.06.
	Under the average cost retail inventory method, permanent sales price markdowns result in cost reductions in inventory. Our permanent sales price markdowns are typically related to end of season clearance events and are recorded as a charge to cost of sales in the period of management's decision to initiate sales price reductions with the intent not to return the price to regular retail. Promotional markdowns are recorded as a charge to net sales in the period the merchandise is sold. Promotional markdowns are typically related to specific marketing efforts with respect to products maintained continuously in our stores or products that are only available in limited quantities but represent substantial value to our customers. Promotional markdowns are principally used to drive higher sales volume during a defined promotional period.
	We record a reduction to inventories and charge to cost of sales for a shrinkage inventory allowance. The shrinkage allowance is calculated as a percentage of sales for the period from the last physical inventory date to the end of the reporting period. Such estimates are based on our historical and current year experience based on physical inventory results.
	We record a reduction to inventories and charge to cost of sales for any excess or obsolete inventory. The excess or obsolete inventory is estimated based on a review of our aged inventory and takes into account any items that have already received a cost reduction as a result of the permanent markdown process discussed above. We estimate the reduction for excess or obsolete inventory based on historical sales trends, age and quantity of product on hand, and anticipated future sales.
	Payments Received from Vendors
	Payments received from vendors relate primarily to rebates and reimbursement for markdowns and are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations as a reduction to cost of inventory purchases in the period that the rebate or reimbursement is earned or realized and, consequently, result in a reduction in cost of sales when the related inventory is sold.
	Store Supplies
	When opening a new store, a portion of the initial shipment of supplies (including primarily display materials, signage, security-related items, and miscellaneous store supplies) is capitalized at the store opening date. These capitalized supplies represent more durable types of items for which we expect to receive future economic benefit. Subsequent replenishments of capitalized store supplies are expensed. The consumable/non-durable type items for which the future economic benefit is less measurable are expensed upon shipment to the store. Capitalized store supplies are adjusted periodically for changes in estimated quantities or costs and are included in other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Property and Equipment - Net
	Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment are recorded on a straight‑line basis using estimated service lives. The estimated service lives of our property and equipment by major asset category were as follows:
	Land improvements	15 years
	Buildings	40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5 years
	Store fixtures and equipment	5 years
	Distribution and transportation fixtures and equipment	5 - 15 years
	Office and computer equipment	5 years
	Computer software costs	5 - 8 years
	Company vehicles	3 years
	Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis using the shorter of their estimated service lives or the lease term. Because our most common initial lease term range from five to seven years and the majority of our lease options have a term of five years, we estimate the useful life of leasehold improvements at five years. This amortization period is consistent with the amortization period for any lease incentives that we would typically receive when initially entering into a new lease that are recognized as deferred rent and amortized over the initial lease term. Depreciation estimates are revised prospectively to reflect the remaining depreciation or amortization of the asset over the shortened estimated service life when a decision is made to dispose of property and equipment prior to the end of its previously estimated service life. The cost of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with any resulting gain or loss included in selling and administrative expenses. Major repairs that extend service lives are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Capitalized interest was not significant in any period presented.
	Long-Lived Assets
	Our long-lived assets primarily consist of property and equipment - net. In order to determine if impairment indicators are present for store property and equipment, we review historical operating results at the store level on an annual basis, or when other impairment indicators are present. Generally, all other property and equipment is reviewed for impairment at the enterprise level. If the net book value of a store's long-lived assets is not recoverable by the expected future cash flows of the store, we estimate the fair value of the store's assets and recognize an impairment charge for the excess net book value of the store's long-lived assets over their fair value. Our assumptions related to estimates of future cash flows are based on historical results of cash flows adjusted for management projections for future periods. We estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets using expected cash flows, including salvage value, which is based on readily available market information for similar assets.
	Goodwill
	Instead of being amortized, goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We use an income approach and a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. We perform our annual impairment testing during our second fiscal quarter of each year.
	Closed Store Accounting
	We recognize an obligation for the fair value of lease termination costs when we cease using the leased property in our operations. In measuring fair value of these lease termination obligations, we consider the remaining minimum lease payments, estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained, and other potentially mitigating factors. We discount the estimated obligation using the applicable credit adjusted interest rate, resulting in accretion expense in periods subsequent to the period of initial measurement. We monitor the estimated obligation for lease termination liabilities in subsequent periods and revise any estimated liabilities, if necessary. Severance and benefits associated with terminating employees from employment are recognized ratably from the communication date through the estimated future service period, unless the estimated future service period is less than 60 days, in which case we recognize the impact at the communication date. Generally all other store closing costs are recognized when incurred.
	When material, we classify the results of operations of closed stores to discontinued operations when the operations and cash flows of the stores have been (or will be) eliminated from ongoing operations and we no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations associated with the stores after closure. We generally meet the second criteria on all closed stores as, upon closure, operations cease and we have no continuing involvement. To determine if cash flows have been (or will be) eliminated from ongoing operations, we evaluate a number of qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to, proximity of a closing store to any remaining open stores and the estimated sales migration from the closed store to any stores remaining open. The estimated sales migration is based on historical estimates of our sales migration upon opening or closing a store in a similar market. For purposes of reporting closed stores as discontinued operations, we report net sales, gross margin, and related operating costs that are directly related to and specifically identifiable with respect to the stores' operations identified as discontinued operations. Certain corporate-level charges, such as general office cost, field operations, national advertising, fixed distribution costs, and interest cost are not allocated to closed stores' discontinued operations because we believe that these costs are not specific to the stores' operations.
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted law and tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We assess the adequacy and need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. We have established a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the balance that is more likely than not to be realized.
	We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The effective income tax rate in any period may be materially impacted by the overall level of income (loss) before income taxes, the jurisdictional mix and magnitude of income (loss), changes in the income tax laws (which may be retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year), subsequent recognition, de-recognition and/or measurement of an uncertain tax benefit, changes in a deferred tax valuation allowance, and adjustments of a deferred tax asset or liability for enacted changes in tax laws or rates.
	Pension
	Pension assumptions are evaluated each year. Actuarial valuations are used to calculate the estimated expenses and obligations related to our pension plans. We review external data and historical trends to help determine the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return. Our objective in selecting a discount rate is to identify the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations would be settled on the measurement date. In making this estimate, we review rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments available at the measurement date and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. This process includes a review of the bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is derived from detailed periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes, risks (standard deviations), and correlations of returns among the asset classes that comprise the plan's asset mix. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumption for the expected long-term rate of return is primarily based on our expectation of a long-term, prospective rate of return.
	Insurance and Insurance-Related Reserves
	We are self-insured for certain losses relating to property, general liability, workers' compensation, and employee medical and dental benefit claims, a portion of which is paid by employees. We purchase stop-loss coverage to limit significant exposure in these areas. Accrued insurance-related liabilities and related expenses are based on actual claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. The estimated accruals are determined by applying actuarially-based calculations. General liability and workers' compensation liabilities are recorded at our estimate of their net present value, using a 4% discount rate, while other liabilities for insurance-related reserves are not discounted.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The carrying value of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these items.
	Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
Our accruals for costs associated with exit or disposal activities primarily consist of contract termination costs, principally related to operating leases, and severance benefits. The costs arose from our decision to wind down the operations of certain businesses and/or segments. When determining the valuation of the liabilities for our contract termination cost estimates, we utilize the advice and input of outside experts who specialize in real estate activities. The accruals for contract termination costs and severance benefits factor in many variables including, but not limited to, expected vacancy periods, tenancy rates per square foot, buy-out scenarios, costs of capital, operating performance during the wind down period, and forfeitures. Additionally, these liabilities have been recorded at their net present value, which represents their fair value. Given the number of assumptions and the unobservable nature of certain of the inputs, these accruals for costs associated with exit or disposal activities are considered to be Level 3.
Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to various claims and contingencies including legal actions and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. In connection with such claims and contingencies, we estimate the likelihood and amount of any potential obligation, where it is possible to do so, using management's judgment. Management uses various internal and external specialists to assist in the estimating process. We accrue, if material, a liability if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. If the likelihood of an adverse outcome is only reasonably possible (as opposed to probable), or if it is probable but an estimate is not determinable, disclosure of a material claim or contingency is made in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and no accrual is made.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize sales at the time the customer takes possession of the merchandise. Sales are recorded net of discounts and estimated returns and exclude any sales tax. The reserve for merchandise returns is estimated based on our prior return experience.
We sell gift cards in our stores and issue merchandise credits, typically as a result of customer returns, on stored value cards. We do not charge administrative fees on unused gift card or merchandise credit balances and our gift cards and merchandise credits do not expire. We recognize sales revenue from the use of gift cards and merchandise credits when (1) the gift card or merchandise credit is redeemed in a sales transaction by the customer or (2) breakage occurs. We recognize gift card and merchandise credit breakage when we estimate that the likelihood of the card or credit being redeemed by the customer is remote and we determine that we do not have a legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed cards or credits to the relevant regulatory authority. We estimate breakage based upon historical redemption patterns. For 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recognized in net sales on our consolidated statements of operations breakage of $0.2 million, $0.5 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, related to unredeemed gift card and merchandise credit balances that had aged at least four years beyond the end of their original issuance month. The liability for the unredeemed cash value of gift cards and merchandise credits is recorded in accrued operating expenses.
We offer price hold contracts on merchandise. Revenue for price hold contracts is recognized when the customer makes the final payment and takes possession of the merchandise. Amounts paid by customers under price hold contracts are recorded in accrued operating expenses until a sale is consummated.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, net of cash discounts and rebates, markdowns, and inventory shrinkage. Cost of merchandise includes related inbound freight to our distribution centers, duties, and commissions. We classify warehousing and outbound distribution and transportation costs as selling and administrative expenses. Due to this classification, our gross margin rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include warehousing and outbound distribution and transportation costs in cost of sales.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses include store expenses (such as payroll and occupancy costs) and costs related to warehousing, distribution, outbound transportation to our stores, advertising, purchasing, insurance, non-income taxes, and overhead. Selling and administrative expense rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include warehousing, distribution, and outbound transportation costs in cost of sales. Distribution and outbound transportation costs included in selling and administrative expenses were $170.5 million, $165.3 million, and $159.6 million for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Rent Expense
Rent expense is recognized over the term of the lease and is included in selling and administrative expenses. We recognize minimum rent starting when possession of the property is taken from the landlord, which normally includes a construction or set-up period prior to store opening. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred incentive rent. We also receive tenant allowances, which are recorded in deferred incentive rent and are amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease.
Our leases generally obligate us for our applicable portion of real estate taxes, common area maintenance (“CAM”), and property insurance that has been incurred by the landlord with respect to the leased property. We maintain accruals for our estimated applicable portion of real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance incurred but not settled at each reporting date. We estimate these accruals based on historical payments made and take into account any known trends. Inherent in these estimates is the risk that actual costs incurred by landlords and the resulting payments by us may be higher or lower than the amounts we have recorded on our books.
Certain of our leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at the lease inception date. Contingent rent includes rent based on a percentage of sales that are in excess of a predetermined level. Contingent rent is excluded from minimum rent and is included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable.
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, consist primarily of television and print advertising, internet marketing and advertising, and in-store point-of-purchase presentations. Advertising expenses are included in selling and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were $98.6 million, $101.1 million, and $98.5 million for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Store Pre-opening Costs
Pre-opening costs incurred during the construction periods for new store openings are expensed as incurred and included in our selling and administrative expenses.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense is recognized in selling and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for all options that we expect to vest. We estimate forfeitures based on historical information. We value and expense stock options with graded vesting as a single award with an average estimated life over the entire term of the award. The expense for options with graded vesting is recorded straight-line over the vesting period. We estimate the fair value of stock options using a binomial model. The binomial model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate, risk-free rate, contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life, and the probability of retirement of the option holder in computing the value of the option. Expected volatility is based on historical and current implied volatilities from traded options on our common shares. The dividend yield on our common shares is assumed to be zero since we have not paid dividends and have no current plans to do so in the future. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury security yields at the time of the grant. The expected life is determined from the binomial model, which incorporates exercise and post-vesting forfeiture assumptions based on analysis of historical data.
Compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock awards and performance share units is recorded based on fair value of the award on the grant date and the estimated achievement date of the performance criteria. An estimated target achievement date is determined at the time of the award based on historical and forecasted performance of similar measures. We monitor the projected achievement of the performance targets at each reporting period and make prospective adjustments to the estimated vesting period when our internal models indicate that the estimated achievement date differs from the date being used to amortize expense.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period and the additional dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Guarantees
We have lease guarantees which were issued prior to January 1, 2003. We record a liability for these lease guarantees in the period when it becomes probable that the obligor will fail to perform its obligation and if the amount of our guarantee obligation is estimable.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency of our international subsidiary is the local currency of the country in which the subsidiary is located. We have one foreign subsidiary domiciled in Canada. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the period. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translation of assets and liabilities is included as a component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, which are included in other income (expense), were a loss of $1.2 million for 2013, immaterial for 2012, and a loss of $0.4 million for 2011.
Other Comprehensive Income
Our other comprehensive income includes the impact of the amortization of our pension actuarial loss, net of tax, the revaluation of our pension actuarial loss, net of tax, and the impact of foreign currency translation.
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
The following table provides supplemental cash flow information for 2013, 2012, and 2011:
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2011
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, including capital leases	$	2,687	$	3,369	$	2,742
Cash paid for income taxes, excluding impact of refunds	$	122,672	$	95,596	$	114,406
Gross proceeds from borrowings under the bank credit facility	$	1,330,100	$	1,448,800	$	846,300
Gross payments of borrowings under the bank credit facility	$	1,424,300	$	1,343,500	$	780,400
Non-cash activity:
Assets acquired under capital leases	$	—	$	392	$	2,925
Accrued property and equipment	$	5,296	$	6,824	$	8,711
Notes payable assumed in acquisition	$	—	$	—	$	16,664
Reclassifications
Wholesale Business
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we executed our wind down plan and ceased the operations of our wholesale business; therefore, we determined the results of our wholesale business should be reported as discontinued operations. As such, we have reclassified our results for all periods presented. Please see the Wholesale Business section of note 13 and note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the wind down and the costs incurred during 2013.
Merchandise Categories
In the fourth quarter of 2013, we realigned select merchandise categories to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team and changes to our management reporting in our U.S. segment. We moved our toys, books, and sporting goods departments out of the Hardlines & Toys category and into our Seasonal category. We moved our table top, food preparation, stationary, gift wrap, and greeting card departments out of our Home category and into our Hard Home. Additionally, we moved our home décor and frames departments out of our Home category and into our Furniture category. We subsequently renamed the remaining classifications in our Home category as Soft Home. We also renamed our Furniture category to Furniture & Home Décor. Furthermore, we renamed our Electronics & Other category to Electronics & Accessories.
Also in the fourth quarter of 2013, we separated several of our existing merchandise departments into new departments to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team and changes to our management reporting. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2013, our Food category consisted of our food and specialty food departments. We separated our food department into two separate departments named candy & snacks and beverage & grocery. In our Home category, we separated our domestics department into six new departments named fashion bedding, utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textile, and flooring.
Our U.S. segment now uses the following merchandise categories, which match our internal management and reporting of merchandise net sales: Food, Consumables, Soft Home, Hard Home, Furniture & Home Décor, Seasonal, and Electronics & Accessories. The Food category includes our beverage & grocery, candy & snacks, and specialty foods departments. The Consumables category includes our health and beauty, plastics, paper, chemical, and pet departments. The Soft Home category includes the fashion bedding, utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textile, and flooring departments. The Hard Home category includes our small appliances, table top, food preparation, stationary, greeting card, tools, paint, and home maintenance departments. The Furniture & Home Décor category includes our upholstery, mattress, ready-to-assemble, case goods, home décor, and frames departments. The Seasonal category includes our lawn & garden, summer, Christmas, toys, books, sporting goods, and other holiday departments. The Electronics & Accessories category includes the electronics, jewelry, apparel, hosiery, and infant accessories departments. In order to provide comparative information, we have reclassified our results into the new alignment for all periods presented.
Recent Accounting Standards
There are currently no new accounting pronouncements with a future effective date that are of significance, or potential significance, to us.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date. Based on this evaluation, we are not aware of any events or transactions (other than those disclosed elsewhere) that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment - Net	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET	'
	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET
	Property and equipment - net consist of:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014		February 2, 2013
	Land and land improvements	$	50,830	$	50,797
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	835,117		803,267
	Fixtures and equipment	692,152		674,684
	Computer software costs	128,787		114,572
	Transportation equipment	26,763		27,303
	Construction-in-progress	6,791		23,759
	Property and equipment - cost	1,740,440		1,694,382
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,170,758		1,100,820
	Property and equipment - net	$	569,682	$	593,562
	Property and equipment - cost includes $4.2 million and $4.2 million at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively, to recognize assets from capital leases. Accumulated depreciation and amortization includes $3.2 million and $2.2 million at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively, related to capital leases.
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011 respectively, we invested $104.8 million, $131.3 million, and $131.3 million of cash in capital expenditures and we recorded $115.1 million, $106.1 million, and $90.1 million of depreciation expense.
	We incurred $7.8 million, $1.0 million, and $2.2 million in asset impairment charges in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The charges in 2013 principally related to the write-down of long-lived assets in our Canadian segment as a result of our announced intention to wind down the operations of our Canadian segment. As there will be no expected future cash flows from our Canadian segment beyond the first quarter of 2014, we impaired our property and equipment to its estimated salvage value at February 1, 2014, which resulted in an impairment charge of $6.5 million. Additionally, in 2013, we wrote down the value of long-lived assets at seven U.S. stores identified as part of our annual store impairment review. The charges in 2012 principally related to the write-down of long-lived assets at one U.S. store and four Canadian stores identified as part of our annual store impairment review. The charges in 2011 relate to asset impairments from the valuation of the Company's oldest airplane.
	Asset impairment charges are included in selling and administrative expenses in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations. We perform annual impairment reviews of our long-lived assets at the store level. When we perform the annual impairment reviews, we first determine which stores had impairment indicators present. We generally use actual historical cash flows to determine if stores had negative cash flows within the past two years. For each store with negative cash flows, we obtain future cash flow estimates based on operating performance estimates specific to each store's operations that are based on assumptions currently being used to develop our company level operating plans. If the net book value of a store's long-lived assets is not recoverable by the expected future cash flows of the store, we estimate the fair value of the store's assets and recognize an impairment charge for the excess net book value of the store's long-lived assets over their fair value.

Bank_Credit_Facility

Bank Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
BANK CREDIT FACILITY	'
	BANK CREDIT FACILITY
	On July 22, 2011, we entered into a $700 million five-year unsecured credit facility and, on May 30, 2013, we entered into an amendment of the credit facility that extended its expiration from July 22, 2016 to May 30, 2018 (“2011 Credit Agreement”). The 2011 Credit Agreement replaced the $500 million three-year unsecured credit facility we entered into on April 28, 2009 (“2009 Credit Agreement”). We did not incur any material termination penalties in connection with the termination of the 2009 Credit Agreement. In connection with our entry into the 2011 Credit Agreement, we paid bank fees and other expenses in the aggregate amount of $3.0 million, which are being amortized over the term of the agreement. In connection with the amendment of the 2011 Credit Agreement, we paid additional bank fees and other expenses in the aggregate amount of $0.9 million, which are being amortized over the term of the amended agreement.
	Borrowings under the 2011 Credit Agreement are available for general corporate purposes and working capital.  The 2011 Credit Agreement includes a $30 million swing loan sublimit and a $150 million letter of credit sublimit.  The interest rates, pricing and fees under the 2011 Credit Agreement fluctuate based on our debt rating.  The 2011 Credit Agreement allows us to select our interest rate for each borrowing from multiple interest rate options.  The interest rate options are generally derived from the prime rate or LIBOR.  We may prepay revolving loans made under the 2011 Credit Agreement.  The 2011 Credit Agreement contains financial and other covenants, including, but not limited to, limitations on indebtedness, liens and investments, as well as the maintenance of two financial ratios – a leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio.  A violation of any of the covenants could result in a default under the 2011 Credit Agreement that would permit the lenders to restrict our ability to further access the 2011 Credit Agreement for loans and letters of credit and require the immediate repayment of any outstanding loans under the 2011 Credit Agreement. At February 1, 2014, we had $77.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2011 Credit Agreement and $5.6 million was committed to outstanding letters of credit, leaving $617.4 million available under the 2011 Credit Agreement.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	In connection with our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, we had mutual fund investments of $21.2 million and $20.7 million at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively, which were recorded in other assets. These investments were classified as trading securities and were recorded at their fair value. The fair values of mutual fund investments were Level 1 valuations under the fair value hierarchy because each fund’s quoted market value per share was available in an active market.
	The fair values of our long-term obligations are estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues and the current interest rates offered for similar instruments. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Given the variable rate features and relatively short maturity of the instruments underlying our long-term obligations, the carrying value of these instruments approximates the fair value.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Leases [Abstract]	'
LEASES	'
	LEASES
	Leased property consisted primarily of 1,515 of our retail stores, 0.5 million square feet of warehouse space, and certain transportation, information technology and other office equipment. Many of the store leases obligate us to pay for our applicable portion of real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance. Certain store leases provide for contingent rents, have rent escalations, and have tenant allowances or other lease incentives. Many of our leases contain provisions for options to renew or extend the original term for additional periods.
	Total rent expense, including real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance, charged to continuing operations for operating leases consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Minimum leases	$	329,654		$	309,526	$	284,697
	Contingent leases	391			460		637
	Total rent expense	$	330,045		$	309,986	$	285,334
	Future minimum rental commitments for leases, excluding closed store leases, real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance, at February 1, 2014, were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	260,921
	2015	213,657
	2016	173,486
	2017	127,602
	2018	92,941
	Thereafter	134,505
	Total leases	$	1,003,112
	We have obligations for capital leases for office equipment, included in accrued operating expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Scheduled payments for all capital leases at February 1, 2014, were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	930
	2015	86
	2016	2
	2017	—
	2018	—
	Thereafter	—
	Total lease payments	$	1,018
	Less amount to discount to present value	(8		)
	Capital lease obligation per balance sheet	$	1,010

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Earnings per Share
	There were no adjustments required to be made to weighted-average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing basic and diluted earnings per share and there were no securities outstanding in any year presented, which were excluded from the computation of earnings per share other than antidilutive employee and director stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards. Stock options outstanding that were excluded from the diluted share calculation because their impact was antidilutive at the end of 2013, 2012, and 2011 were as follows:
	(In millions)	2013	2012	2011
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from dilutive share calculation	2.8	1.9	1.5
	Antidilutive options are excluded from the calculation because they decrease the number of diluted shares outstanding under the treasury stock method. Antidilutive options are generally outstanding options where the exercise price per share is greater than the weighted-average market price per share for our common shares for each period. The number of shares of non-vested restricted stock that were antidilutive, as determined under the treasury stock method, is immaterial for all years presented.
	A reconciliation of the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
	Basic	57,415	59,852	68,316
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted common shares	543	624	1,103
	Diluted	57,958	60,476	69,419

ShareBased_Plans

Share-Based Plans	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
SHARE-BASED PLANS	'
	SHARE-BASED PLANS
	Our shareholders approved the Big Lots 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2012 LTIP”) in May 2012. The 2012 LTIP authorizes the issuance of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock awards, performance share units, stock appreciation rights, cash-based awards, and other share-based awards. We have issued only nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, and performance units under the 2012 LTIP. The number of common shares available for issuance under the 2012 LTIP consists of an initial allocation of 7,750,000 common shares plus any common shares subject to the 4,702,362 outstanding awards as of March 15, 2012 under the Big Lots 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2005 LTIP”) that, on or after March 15, 2012, cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement). The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (“Committee”), which is charged with administering the 2012 LTIP, has the authority to determine the terms of each award. Nonqualified stock options granted to employees under the 2012 LTIP, the exercise price of which may not be less than the fair market value of the underlying common shares on the grant date, generally expire on the earlier of: (1) the seven year term set by the Committee; or (2) one year following termination of employment, death, or disability. The nonqualified stock options generally vest ratably over a four-year period; however, upon a change in control, all awards outstanding automatically vest.
	Our former equity compensation plan, the 2005 LTIP, approved by our shareholders in May 2005, expired on May 16, 2012. The 2005 LTIP authorized the issuance of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, and other award types. We issued only nonqualified stock options and restricted stock under the 2005 LTIP. The number of common shares available for issuance under the 2005 LTIP consisted of: (1) an initial allocation of 1,250,000 common shares; (2) 2,001,142 common shares, the number of common shares that were available under the predecessor Big Lots, Inc. 1996 Performance Incentive Plan (“1996 LTIP”) upon its expiration; (3) 2,100,000 common shares approved by our shareholders in May 2008; and (4) an annual increase equal to 0.75% of the total number of issued common shares (including treasury shares) as of the start of each of our fiscal years during which the 2005 LTIP was in effect. The Committee, which was charged with administering the 2005 LTIP, had the authority to determine the terms of each award. Nonqualified stock options granted to employees under the 2005 LTIP, the exercise price of which was not less than the fair market value of the underlying common shares on the grant date, generally expire on the earlier of: (1) the seven year term set by the Committee; or (2) one year following termination of employment, death, or disability. The nonqualified stock options generally vest ratably over a four-year period; however, upon a change in control, all awards outstanding automatically vest.
	We previously maintained the Big Lots Director Stock Option Plan (“Director Stock Option Plan”) for non-employee directors. The Director Stock Option Plan was terminated on May 30, 2008. The Director Stock Option Plan was administered by the Committee pursuant to an established formula. Neither the Board of Directors nor the Committee exercised any discretion in administration of the Director Stock Option Plan. Grants were made annually at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant. The annual grants to each non-employee director of an option to acquire 10,000 of our common shares became fully exercisable over a three‑year period: 20% of the shares on the first anniversary, 60% on the second anniversary, and 100% on the third anniversary. Stock options granted to non-employee directors expire on the earlier of: (1) 10 years plus one month; (2) one year following death or disability; or (3) at the end of our next trading window one year following termination. In connection with the amendment to the 2005 LTIP in May 2008, our Board of Directors amended the Director Stock Option Plan so that no additional awards may be made under that plan. Our non-employee directors did not receive any stock options in 2013, 2012, and 2011, but did, as discussed below, receive restricted stock awards under the 2012 and 2005 LTIPs.
	Share-based compensation expense was $13.2 million, $17.9 million and $25.0 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We use a binomial model to estimate the fair value of stock options on the grant date. The binomial model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate, risk-free rate, contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life, and the probability of retirement of the option holder in computing the value of the option. Expected volatility is based on historical and current implied volatilities from traded options on our common shares. The dividend yield on our common shares is assumed to be zero since we have not paid dividends and have no current plans to do so in the future. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury security yields at the time of the grant. The expected life is determined from the binomial model, which incorporates exercise and post-vesting forfeiture assumptions based on analysis of historical data.
	The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted and assumptions used in the stock option pricing model for each of the respective periods were as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	12.08		$	14.15		$	14.43
	Risk-free interest rates	0.8		%	0.6		%	1.8		%
	Expected life (years)	4.2			4.2			4.2
	Expected volatility	41.9		%	41.1		%	41.7		%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate	3		%	3		%	1.5		%
	The following table summarizes information about our stock options outstanding and exercisable at February 1, 2014:
	Range of Prices								Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Greater Than				Less Than or Equal to				Options Outstanding		Weighted-Average Remaining Life (Years)	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Options Exercisable	Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	$	10.01			$	20			483,603		2	$	17.18	483,603	$	17.18
	20.01				30				163,763		1.3	23.63		162,825	23.6
	30.01				40				1,571,187		5.1	35.82		440,437	35.84
	$	40.01			$	50			1,158,750		4.6	42.59		493,250	42.22
									3,377,303		4.3	$	34.88	1,580,115	$	30.86
	A summary of the annual stock option activity for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 is as follows:
		Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000's)
	Outstanding stock options at January 29, 2011	3,578,683		$	24.59
	Granted	918,500		40.85
	Exercised	(500,085	)	20.81
	Forfeited	(320,675	)	33.84
	Outstanding stock options at January 28, 2012	3,676,423		$	28.36
	Granted	982,000		43.23
	Exercised	(1,406,262	)	23.67
	Forfeited	(223,075	)	40.18
	Outstanding stock options at February 2, 2013	3,029,086		$	34.49
	Granted	1,159,500		35.8
	Exercised	(213,520	)	22.87
	Forfeited	(597,763	)	38.97
	Outstanding stock options at February 1, 2014	3,377,303		$	34.88		4.3	$	5,264
	Vested or expected to vest at February 1, 2014	3,227,442		$	34.71		4.3	$	5,264
	Exercisable at February 1, 2014	1,580,115		$	30.86		3	$	5,264
	The number of stock options expected to vest was based on our annual forfeiture rate assumption.
	A summary of the nonvested awards other than stock options activity for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 is as follows:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at January 29, 2011	503,784		$	35.88
	Granted	564,589		40.76
	Vested	(271,784	)	35.84
	Forfeited	(55,300	)	38.72
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at January 28, 2012	741,289		$	39.4
	Granted	589,784		42.9
	Vested	(477,664	)	38.52
	Forfeited	(69,800	)	43.04
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at February 2, 2013	783,609		$	42.25
	Granted	496,376		35.47
	Vested	(64,784	)	37.79
	Forfeited	(513,300	)	41.86
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at February 1, 2014	701,901		$	38.15
	The non-vested restricted stock awards granted to employees (other than the awards granted to Mr. Fishman, our former CEO in 2011 and 2012) vest if certain financial performance objectives are achieved. If we meet a threshold financial performance objective and the grantee remains employed by us, the restricted stock will vest on the opening of our first trading window five years after the grant date of the award. If we meet a higher financial performance objective and the grantee remains employed by us, the restricted stock will vest on the first trading day after we file our Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC for the fiscal year in which the higher objective is met.
	On the grant date of the 2011 restricted stock awards (other than the award granted to Mr. Fishman), we estimated a three-year period for vesting based on the assumed achievement of the higher financial performance objective. In the fourth quarter of 2012, based on operating results and future projections, we changed the estimated vesting period of the 2011 restricted stock awards to four years. In the fourth quarter of 2013, based on operating results and future projections, we changed the estimated vesting period of the 2011 restricted stock awards to five years. The impact of this change in estimate will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.
	On the grant date of the 2012 restricted stock awards (other than the award granted to Mr. Fishman), we estimated a three-year period for vesting based on the assumed achievement of the higher financial performance objective. In the fourth quarter of 2012, based on operating results and future projections, we changed the estimated vesting period of the 2012 restricted stock awards to four years. In the fourth quarter of 2013, based on operating results and future projections, we changed the estimated vesting period of the 2012 restricted stock awards to five years. The impact of this change in estimate will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.
	On the grant date of the 2013 restricted stock awards, we estimated a three-year period for vesting based on the assumed achievement of the higher financial performance objective. In the fourth quarter of 2013, based on operating results and future projections, we changed the estimated vesting period of the 2013 restricted stock awards to five years. The impact of this change in estimate will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.
	In the second quarter of 2013, in connection with his appointment as CEO and President, Mr. Campisi was awarded 37,800 performance share units, which vest based on the achievement of share price performance goals. The performance share units have a contractual term of seven years. If the performance goals applicable to the performance share units are not achieved prior to expiration, the awards will be forfeited.
	The restricted stock award granted to Mr. Fishman in 2011 vested in 2012 based on achievement of the corporate financial goals for 2011. The nonvested restricted stock award granted to Mr. Fishman in 2012 was forfeited in the first quarter of 2013, because we failed to achieve a corporate financial goal set for 2012.
	In 2013, 2012, and 2011, we granted to each non-employee member of our Board of Directors a restricted stock award. In 2013, each had a fair value on the grant date of approximately $100,000. These awards vest on the earlier of (1) the trading day immediately preceding the next annual meeting of our shareholders or (2) the death or disability of the grantee. However, the restricted stock award will not vest if the non-employee director ceases to serve on our Board of Directors before either vesting event occurs.
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011, the following activity occurred under our share-based compensation plans:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	2,646		$	29,350		$	8,747
Total fair value of restricted stock vested	$	2,237		$	21,907		$	11,618
The total unearned compensation cost related to all share-based awards outstanding at February 1, 2014 was approximately $27.6 million.  This compensation cost is expected to be recognized through January 2019 based on existing vesting terms with the weighted-average remaining expense recognition period being approximately 2.5 years from February 1, 2014.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	Pension Benefits
	We maintain the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan covering certain employees whose hire date was on or before April 1, 1994. Benefits under each plan are based on credited years of service and the employee's compensation during the last five years of employment. The Supplemental Pension Plan is maintained for certain highly compensated executives whose benefits were frozen in the Pension Plan in 1996. The Supplemental Pension Plan is designed to pay benefits in the same amount as if the participants continued to accrue benefits under the Pension Plan. We have no obligation to fund the Supplemental Pension Plan, and all assets and amounts payable under the Supplemental Pension Plan are subject to the claims of our general creditors.
	The components of net periodic pension expense were comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Service cost - benefits earned in the period	$	2,086		$	2,171		$	2,211
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	3,041			3,292			3,496
	Expected investment return on plan assets	(2,893		)	(3,089		)	(4,627		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(34		)	(34		)	(34		)
	Amortization of transition obligation	12			13			13
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,692			2,345			1,796
	Settlement loss	83			298			298
	Net periodic pension cost	$	3,987		$	4,996		$	3,153
	In 2013, 2012, and 2011, we incurred pretax non-cash settlement charges of $0.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The settlement charges were caused by lump sum benefit payments made to plan participants in excess of combined annual service cost and interest cost for each year.
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension expense were:
		2013		2012		2011
	Discount rate	4.6	%	5	%	5.7	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%	3.5	%	3.9	%
	Expected long-term rate of return	5.1	%	5.5	%	8	%
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were:
		2013		2012
	Discount rate	5	%	4.6	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3	%	3.5	%
	The following schedule provides a reconciliation of projected benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized for the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	70,210		$	69,942
	Service cost	2,086			2,171
	Interest cost	3,041			3,292
	Benefits and settlements paid	(5,035		)	(6,437		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(5,424		)	1,242
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	64,878		$	70,210
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair market value at beginning of year	$	59,376		$	58,662
	Actual return on plan assets	1,379			5,969
	Employer contributions	609			1,182
	Benefits and settlements paid	(5,035		)	(6,437		)
	Fair market value at end of year	$	56,329		$	59,376
	Under funded and net amount recognized	$	(8,549	)	$	(10,834	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	—
	Current liabilities	(340		)	(361		)
	Noncurrent liabilities	(8,209		)	(10,473		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,549	)	$	(10,834	)
	The following are components of accumulated other comprehensive income and, as such, are not yet reflected in net periodic pension expense:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	(12	)
	Unrecognized past service credit	56			90
	Unrecognized actuarial loss	(14,124		)	(19,808		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pretax	$	(14,068	)	$	(19,730	)
	We expect to reclassify $1.2 million of the actuarial loss along with immaterial amounts of transition obligation and past service credit into net periodic pension expense during 2014.
	The following table sets forth certain information for the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013:
		Pension Plan							Supplemental Pension Plan
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013				February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	59,724		$	63,951			$	5,154		$	6,259
	Accumulated benefit obligation	54,635			57,224				4,643			5,080
	Fair market value of plan assets	$	56,329		$	59,376			$	—		$	—
	We elected not to make a discretionary contribution to the Pension Plan in 2013 or in 2012. Our funding policy of the Pension Plan is to make annual contributions based on advice from our actuaries and the evaluation of our cash position, but not less than the minimum required by applicable regulations. Currently, we expect no required contributions to the Pension Plan during 2014, however, discretionary contributions could be made depending upon further analysis.
	Using the same assumptions as those used to measure our benefit obligations, the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan benefits expected to be paid in each of the following fiscal years are as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	5,242
	2015	5,435
	2016	5,438
2017	5,334
2018	5,283
2019 - 2023	$	25,409
Our overall investment strategy is to earn a long-term rate of return sufficient to meet the liability needs of the Pension Plan, within prudent risk constraints.  In order to develop the appropriate asset allocation and investment strategy, an actuarial review of the Pension Plan's expected future distributions was completed.  The strategy provides a well-defined risk management approach designed to reduce risks based on the Pension Plan's funded status.
Assets can generally be considered as filling one of the following roles within the strategy: (1) liability-hedging assets, which are designed to meet the cash payment needs of the plan's obligation and provide downside protection, primarily invested in intermediate and long maturity investment grade bonds; or (2) return-seeking assets, which are designed to deliver returns in excess of the Pension Plan's obligation growth rates, with broadly diversified assets including U.S. and non-U.S. equities, real estate, and high yield bonds. The current target allocation is approximately 80% liability-hedging assets and 20% return-seeking assets. Target allocations may change over time due to changes in the plan's funded status, or in response to changes in plan or market conditions. All assets must have readily ascertainable market values and be easily marketable. The portfolio of assets maintains a high degree of liquidity in order to meet benefit payment requirements and to allow responsiveness to evolving Pension Plan and market conditions.
The investment managers have the discretion to invest within sub-classes of assets within the parameters of their investment guidelines. Fixed income managers can adjust duration exposure as deemed appropriate given current or expected market conditions.  Additionally, the investment managers have the authority to invest in financial futures contracts and financial options contracts for the purposes of implementing hedging strategies.  There were no futures contracts owned directly by the Pension Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013. The primary benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of the Pension Plan investments is that of the plan's liabilities themselves. Asset class returns are also judged relative to common benchmark indices such as the Russell 3000 and Barclay's Capital Long Credit Bond. Investment results and plan funded status are monitored daily, with a detailed performance review completed on a quarterly basis.
The fair value of our Pension Plan assets at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013 by asset category was comprised of the following:
	February 1, 2014												February 2, 2013
(In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,418		$	1,418		$	—		$	—		$	821	$	821	$	—	$	—
Common / Collective Trusts
Long Credit	44,239			—			44,239			—			30,924		—		30,924		—
High Yield	2,629			—			2,629			—			3,074		—		3,074		—
Global Real Estate	2,623			—			2,623			—			3,244		—		3,244		—
International Equities	2,172			—			2,172			—			2,643		—		2,643		—
U.S. Equity Index	2,165			—			2,165			—			2,538		—		2,538		—
U.S. Small Cap	1,075			—			1,075			—			1,254		—		1,254		—
Intermediate Credit	8			—			8			—			14,878		—		14,878		—
Total	$	56,329		$	1,418		$	54,911		$	—		$	59,376	$	821	$	58,555	$	—
Savings Plans
We have a savings plan with a 401(k) deferral feature and a nonqualified deferred compensation plan with a similar deferral feature for eligible employees. We contribute a matching percentage of employee contributions. Our matching contributions are subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regulations. For 2013, 2012, and 2011, we expensed $5.7 million, $5.6 million, and $5.2 million, respectively, related to our matching contributions. In connection with our nonqualified deferred compensation plan, we had liabilities of $21.4 million and $21.2 million at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The provision for income taxes from continuing operations was comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	81,159		$	91,299		$	106,737
	U.S. State and local	14,078			13,240			16,636
	Non-U.S.	—			—			—
	Total current tax expense	95,237			104,539			123,373
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal	(31,754		)	10,333			9,207
	U.S. State and local	(2,365		)	2,049			1,255
	Non-U.S.	—			—			—
	Total deferred tax expense	(34,119		)	12,382			10,462
	Income tax provision	$	61,118		$	116,921		$	133,835
	Net deferred tax assets fluctuated by items that are not reflected in deferred expense above. The fluctuations in net deferred tax assets related to discontinued operations deferred income tax expense were a $1.9 million increase for 2013 and a $0.1 million decrease for 2012. There were no fluctuations in deferred tax assets related to discontinued operations for 2011. Fluctuations related principally to pension-related charges recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were $2.3 million decrease, $1.7 million decrease and $2.6 million increase for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Additionally, net deferred tax assets decreased by $0.1 million in 2012 and increased by $0.2 million in 2011 as a result of the establishment of goodwill associated with the acquisition of the U.S. subsidiaries of Liquidation World Inc.
	Reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations was as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
	Statutory federal income tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	4		3.4		3.4
	Non-U.S. income tax rate differential	1.9		0.4		0.4
	Write off of foreign goodwill	1.8		—		—
	Work opportunity tax and other employment tax credits	(1.3	)	(0.3	)	(0.4	)
	Impaired investment in foreign subsidiary	(12.7	)	—		—
	Valuation allowance	4.2		1.2		1
	Other, net	—		0.1		—
	Effective income tax rate	32.9	%	39.8	%	39.4	%
	The impaired investment in foreign subsidiary in 2013 is primarily due to the recognition of a deferred tax benefit related to the excess tax basis in the common shares of Big Lots Canada as it has become more likely than not during the fourth quarter of 2013 that such excess will be recovered as a worthless stock deduction in the foreseeable future. In 2013, 2012, and 2011, the valuation allowance was associated with the non-U.S. deferred tax expense from our Canadian segment.
	Income tax payments and refunds were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes paid	$	122,672		$	95,596		$	114,406
	Income taxes refunded	(551		)	(2,764		)	(983		)
	Net income taxes paid	$	122,121		$	92,832		$	113,423
	Deferred taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax, including income tax uncertainties. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Workers’ compensation and other insurance reserves	$	31,483		$	34,118
	Accrued rent	30,962			30,681
	Non-U.S. net operating losses	24,430			22,098
	Compensation related	24,505			21,351
	Impaired investment in foreign subsidiary	23,899			—
	Uniform inventory capitalization	20,708			20,654
	Depreciation and fixed asset basis differences	12,727			11,475
	Accrued state taxes	7,540			6,931
	State tax credits, net of federal tax benefit	3,987			3,547
	Pension plans	3,414			4,315
	Accrued operating liabilities	2,585			2,325
	KB store lease and other discontinued operations contingencies	—			1,218
	Other	26,105			23,907
	Valuation allowances - primarily related to Non-U.S. operations	(30,013		)	(24,965		)
	Total deferred tax assets	182,332			157,655
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Accelerated depreciation and fixed asset basis differences	71,829			76,509
	Lease construction reimbursements	16,773			16,203
	Prepaid expenses	6,220			6,427
	Workers’ compensation and other insurance reserves	5,121			6,922
	Compensation related	—			2,701
	Other	17,502			13,890
	Total deferred tax liabilities	117,445			122,652
	Net deferred tax assets	$	64,887		$	35,003
	Net deferred tax assets are shown separately on our consolidated balance sheets as current and non-current deferred income taxes. The following table summarizes net deferred income tax assets from the consolidated balance sheets:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Current deferred income taxes	$	59,781		$	37,696
Noncurrent deferred income taxes	5,106			(2,693		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	64,887		$	35,003
Based on the weight of currently available evidence, we have fully reduced the amount of net deferred income tax assets (including a net operating loss carryforward) of Big Lots Canada, Inc. by a valuation allowance.
We have the following income tax loss and credit carryforwards at February 1, 2014 (amounts are shown net of tax excluding the federal income tax effect of the state and local items):
(In thousands)
Non-U.S.:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	24,430		Expires fiscal years 2026 through 2033, subject to a full valuation allowance
U.S. State and local:
State net operating loss carryforwards	567			Expires fiscal years 2020 through 2025
California enterprise zone credits	5,865			Expires fiscal year 2023
Texas business loss credits	268			Expires fiscal years through 2025
Total income tax loss and credit carryforwards	$	31,130
Income taxes payable on our consolidated balance sheets have been reduced by the tax benefits primarily associated with share-based compensation. We receive an income tax deduction upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options, the vesting of restricted stock, and the vesting of performance share units. Tax benefits of $0.2 million, $8.1 million, and $2.7 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, were credited directly to shareholders' equity related to share-based compensation deductions in excess of expense recognized for these awards.
The Company's Canadian subsidiary has an accumulated retained deficit, thus we have not provided for income taxes in the United States on undistributed earnings.
The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for 2013, 2012, and 2011:
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
Unrecognized tax benefits - opening balance	$	16,019		$	16,755		$	27,250
Gross increases - tax positions in current year	991			838			2,179
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	1,247			1,626			616
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(532		)	(1,928		)	(9,513		)
Settlements	(4		)	(382		)	(2,581		)
Lapse of statute of limitations	(949		)	(890		)	(1,196		)
Foreign currency translation	(122		)	—			—
Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year	$	16,650		$	16,019		$	16,755
At the end of 2013 and 2012, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate is $11.0 million and $10.8 million, respectively, after considering the federal tax benefit of state and local income taxes of $5.0 million and $4.6 million respectively. Unrecognized tax benefits of $0.7 million and $0.7 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, relate to tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. The uncertain timing items could result in the acceleration of the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.
For 2011, unrecognized tax benefits decreased by approximately $9.1 million related to our claims for welfare to work and work opportunity credits, which claims have either lapsed or are unlikely to be realized due to an unfavorable decision of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit against a similarly situated taxpayer.  Our right to file a refund claim with respect to approximately $4.9 million of the credits has lapsed and our right to file a refund claim with respect to approximately $2 million of the credits will lapse during fiscal 2014.  Our right to file a refund claim with respect to approximately $2.2 million of the credits may never lapse because the IRS has not issued a statutory notice of disallowance with respect to those claims; however, because our claims are unlikely to prevail in a different jurisdiction, we have decided not to pursue them.  Therefore, we reduced our unrecognized tax benefits by the entire amount of the claims.  Because these benefits were unrecognized, the decrease had no effect on income tax expense.
We recognized an expense (benefit) associated with interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.5 million, $(0.7) million, and $(0.5) million during 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, as a component of income tax expense. The amount of accrued interest and penalties recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013 was $5.7 million and $5.2 million, respectively.
We are subject to U.S. federal income tax, income tax of multiple state and local jurisdictions, and Canadian and provincial taxes. The statute of limitations for assessments on our federal income tax returns for periods prior to 2009 has lapsed. In addition, the state income tax returns filed by us are subject to examination generally for periods beginning with 2006, although state income tax carryforward attributes generated prior to 2006 and non-filing positions may still be adjusted upon examination. We have various state returns in the process of examination or administrative appeal. Generally, the time limit for reassessing returns for Canadian and provincial income taxes for periods prior to the year ending October 1, 2006 have lapsed.
We have estimated the reasonably possible expected net change in unrecognized tax benefits through January 31, 2015, based on expected cash and noncash settlements or payments of uncertain tax positions and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations for unrecognized tax benefits.  The estimated net decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the next 12 months is approximately $4.0 million.  Actual results may differ materially from this estimate.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	'
	COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	On May 21, May 22 and July 2, 2012, three shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against us and certain of our current and former outside directors and executive officers (Jeffrey Berger, David Kollat, Brenda Lauderback, Philip Mallott, Russell Solt, Dennis Tishkoff, Robert Claxton, Joe Cooper, Steven Fishman, Charles Haubiel, Timothy Johnson, John Martin, Norman Rankin, Paul Schroeder, Robert Segal and Steven Smart). The lawsuits were consolidated, and, on August 13, 2012, plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint, which generally alleges that the individual defendants traded in our common shares based on material, nonpublic information concerning our guidance for fiscal 2012 and the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and the director defendants failed to suspend our share repurchase program during such trading activity. The consolidated complaint asserts claims under Ohio law for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, misappropriation of trade secrets and corporate waste and seeks declaratory relief and disgorgement to us of proceeds from any wrongful sales of our common shares, plus attorneys’ fees and expenses. The defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint, and that motion is fully briefed and awaiting a decision.
	We received a letter dated January 28, 2013, sent on behalf of a shareholder demanding that our Board of Directors investigate and take action in connection with the allegations made in the derivative and securities lawsuits described above. The shareholder indicated that he would commence a derivative lawsuit if our Board of Directors failed to take the demanded action. On March 6, 2013, our Board of Directors referred the shareholder’s letter to a committee of independent directors to investigate the matter. That committee, with the assistance of independent outside counsel, investigated the allegations in the shareholder’s demand letter and, on August 28, 2013, reported its findings to our Board of Directors along with its recommendation that the Board reject the shareholder’s demand. Our Board of Directors unanimously accepted the recommendation of the demand investigation committee and, on September 9, 2013, outside counsel for the committee sent a letter to counsel for the shareholder informing the shareholder of the Board’s determination. On October 18, 2013, the shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against us and each of the current and former outside directors and executive officers named in the 2012 shareholder derivative lawsuit. The plaintiff’s complaint generally alleges that the individual defendants traded in our common shares based on material, nonpublic information concerning our guidance for fiscal 2012 and the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and the director defendants failed to suspend our share repurchase program during such trading activity. The complaint asserts claims under Ohio law for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, corporate waste and misappropriation of trade secrets and seeks damages, injunctive relief and disgorgement to us of proceeds from any wrongful sales of our common shares, plus attorneys’ fees and expenses. On December 18, 2013, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, and that motion is fully briefed and awaiting a decision.
	On February 10, 2014, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court in Columbus, Ohio, against us and certain of our current and former outside directors and executive officers (David Campisi, Steven Fishman, Joe Cooper, Charles Haubiel, Timothy Johnson, Robert Claxton, John Martin, Norman Rankin, Paul Schroeder, Robert Segal, Steven Smart, David Kollat, Jeffrey Berger, James Chambers, Peter Hayes, Brenda Lauderback, Philip Mallott, Russell Solt, James Tener and Dennis Tishkoff). The plaintiff’s complaint generally alleges that the individual defendants traded in our common shares based on material, nonpublic information concerning our guidance for fiscal 2012 and the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and the director defendants failed to suspend our share repurchase program during such trading activity. The complaint also alleges that we and various individual defendants made false and misleading statements regarding our Canadian operations prior to our announcement on December 5, 2013 that we were exiting the Canadian market. The complaint asserts claims under Ohio law for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets and misappropriation of insider information and seeks damages, injunctive relief and disgorgement to us of proceeds from any wrongful sales of our common shares, plus attorneys’ fees and expenses. On March 17, 2014, the court stayed this lawsuit until after the judge in the federal lawsuits discussed in the preceding paragraphs has ruled on the motions to dismiss pending in those federal lawsuits.
	On July 9, 2012, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of persons who acquired our common shares between February 2, 2012 and April 23, 2012. This lawsuit was filed against us, Lisa Bachmann, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Fishman and Mr. Haubiel. The complaint in the putative class action generally alleges that the defendants made statements concerning our financial performance that were false or misleading. The complaint asserts claims under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 and seeks damages in an unspecified amount, plus attorneys’ fees and expenses. The lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint on April 4, 2013, which added Mr. Johnson as a defendant, removed Ms. Bachmann as a defendant, and extended the putative class period to August 23, 2012. The defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the putative class action complaint, and that motion is fully briefed and awaiting a decision.
	We believe that the shareholder derivative and putative class action lawsuits are without merit, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations levied in these lawsuits. While a loss from these lawsuits is reasonably possible, at this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount of any loss that may result or whether the lawsuits will have a material impact on our financial statements.
	On November 29, 2012, we received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York requesting documents relating to Mr. Fishman’s trades in our common shares. We provided information in response to the subpoena in late 2012 and early 2013. Since that time, we have received no further subpoena or other request for information from the U.S. Attorney.
	On December 7, 2012, we received a voluntary document request from the SEC relating to our guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, internal policies, trading in our common shares by our directors and officers, and the terms of employment with Mr. Fishman. We provided information in response to the SEC request in late 2012 and early 2013. On May 20, 2013, our counsel received a letter dated May 9, 2013, from the Division of Enforcement of the SEC, which stated in relevant part: “This investigation has been completed as to your client, Big Lots, against which we do not intend to recommend any enforcement action by the Commission.”
	On June 13, 2013, we received a separate voluntary document request from the Division of Enforcement of the SEC relating principally to our participation in investor and analyst meetings in the first fiscal quarter of 2012. We have produced documents and are cooperating with the SEC in connection with its request.
	On December 21, 2012, we received a letter from NYSE Regulation requesting information relating to Mr. Fishman's trades in our common shares, internal policies, and the inquiries being conducted by other bodies. We provided information in response to the NYSE Regulation request in 2013. NYSE Regulation last made requests for information in connection with this matter in August 2013, and we cooperated with its requests.
	On October 1, 2013, we received a subpoena from the District Attorney for the County of Alameda, State of California, seeking information concerning our handling of hazardous materials and hazardous waste in the State of California. We have provided information and are cooperating with the authorities from multiple counties and cities in California in connection with this matter. While a loss related to this matter is reasonably possible, at this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from this matter or whether this matter will have a material impact on our financial statements.
	In 1998, an action was filed against us in the District Court, 224th Judicial District, in Bexar County, Texas (“State Court”) by a plaintiff claiming she was injured when she fell in one of our stores (“Rivera matter”). The Rivera matter was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (“Federal Court”) and the claim was fully litigated. Ultimately, the Federal Court granted summary judgment in our favor in January 2000. The plaintiff re-filed the same complaint in April 2000 in the State Court and then obtained a default judgment against us on June 20, 2000 in the amount of approximately $1.5 million plus post-judgment interest. No effort was made to collect on this judgment by the plaintiff until February 2009, when we were served with a writ of execution of judgment. Since that time, we have sought relief from the State Court, the Federal Court, and the appellate courts having jurisdiction over those trial courts. In September 2012, the Supreme Court of Texas held that the default judgment was not void, but remanded the case to the State Court for a trial on other defenses we raised. The State Court held a trial in April 2013, and the jury held against us thus enforcing the initial State Court judgment in favor of the plaintiff. As a result, we accrued a pretax charge of $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2013 to reflect the amount of the initial State Court judgment of approximately $1.5 million plus post-judgment interest from the June 2000 judgment through the end of the first quarter of 2013. On June 7, 2013, we filed with the State Court a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and a motion for a new trial. The parties settled this matter for $4.4 million in July 2013. As a result, an adjustment was made to the accrual for this matter that benefited the second quarter of 2013 by $0.7 million.
	We are involved in other legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We currently believe that each such action and claim will be resolved without a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. However, litigation involves an element of uncertainty. Future developments could cause these actions or claims to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
	For a discussion of discontinued operations, including KB Toys matters, see note 14.
	We are self-insured for certain losses relating to property, general liability, workers' compensation, and employee medical and dental benefit claims, a portion of which is paid by employees, and we have purchased stop-loss coverage in order to limit significant exposure in these areas. Accrued insurance liabilities are actuarially determined based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. We use letters of credit, which amounted to $58.5 million at February 1, 2014, as collateral to back certain of our self-insured losses with our claims administrators.
	We have purchase obligations for outstanding purchase orders for merchandise issued in the ordinary course of our business that are valued at $464.6 million, the entirety of which represents obligations due within one year of February 1, 2014. In addition, we have a purchase commitment for future inventory purchases totaling $49.0 million at February 1, 2014. We paid $21.7 million, $19.9 million, and $28.0 million related to this commitment during 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We are not required to meet any periodic minimum purchase requirements under this commitment. The term of the commitment extends until the purchase requirement is satisfied. We have additional purchase obligations in the amount of $115.3 million primarily related to distribution and transportation, information technology, print advertising, energy procurement, and other store security, supply, and maintenance commitments.

Acquisition

Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITION	'
	ACQUISITION
	On July 18, 2011, we completed our acquisition of Liquidation World Inc. Under the terms of our acquisition agreement, we invested approximately $1.9 million in cash to purchase all outstanding shares of Liquidation World Inc. As part of the acquisition, we assumed the liabilities and acquired all assets and leasehold rights of Liquidation World Inc. On July 19, 2011, we changed the name of Liquidation World Inc. to Big Lots Canada, Inc. (“Big Lots Canada”). The results of Big Lots Canada since the acquisition date are included in our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL	'
	GOODWILL
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, which is generally not deductible for income tax purposes, for the fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Beginning of year	$	13,522		$	12,282
	Goodwill adjustments	—			1,191
	Foreign currency impact	(818		)	49
	Impairment loss	(12,704		)	—
	End of year	$	—		$	13,522
	The goodwill adjustments in 2012 were associated with our acquisition of Big Lots Canada in the second quarter of 2011, and primarily related to fair value adjustments on our intangible assets and liabilities associated with the acquired operating leases. Our entire balance of goodwill related to our Canadian segment.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we performed our annual impairment review of goodwill, which resulted in no impairment.
	During the third and fourth quarters of 2013, our senior management team conducted certain strategic planning activities. As a result of these planning activities, we announced our intentions to wind down the operations of our Canadian segment in the fourth quarter of 2013. The decision to the wind down was considered a triggering event for the performance of an impairment review. As the wind down will result in the elimination of future cash flows from our Canadian segment, we determined that our goodwill had been impaired; therefore, we recorded an impairment charge of $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. Please see the Canadian Segment section of note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Costs_Associated_With_Wind_Dow

Costs Associated With Wind Down Activities	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH WIND DOWN ACTIVITIES	'
	COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH WIND DOWN ACTIVITIES
	Wholesale Business
	During the third quarter of 2013, we announced our intention to wind down the operations of our wholesale business, within our U.S. segment, during the fourth quarter of 2013. In conjunction with our decision to wind down the operations of our wholesale business, we reviewed the valuation of the inventory associated with the wholesale business and based on the composition of the merchandise, we recorded an impairment of $3.7 million, which reduced the value of the inventory to our estimate of its market value. Additionally, we recorded a severance charge for this exit activity of approximately $1.1 million. The severance accrual was adjusted during the fourth quarter based on the final execution of severance agreements.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, we closed the leased facilities in which we operated our wholesale business and recorded contract termination costs of approximately $0.2 million.
	The following table summarizes the components of our wind down activities associated with our wholesale business and the related liabilities for 2013:
	(In thousands)	Severance			Contract Termination Costs			Total
	Balance at February 2, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	1,078			212			1,290
	Adjustments	(302		)	—			(302		)
	Payments	(254		)	(212		)	(466		)
	Period change	522			—			522
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	522		$	—		$	522
	We anticipate no additional charges associated with the wind down of the operations of our wholesale business. As the operations of the wholesale business had ceased as of February 1, 2014, the results of operations of the wholesale business were reclassified to discontinued operations. Please see the Wholesale Business section of note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
	Canadian Segment
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, we announced our intention to wind down the operations of our Canadian segment. We conducted detailed evaluations of our long range strategic objectives as well as performed a preliminary review of our 2014 financial plan. As a result of this evaluation and review, we determined the Canadian segment does not fit into our strategic plan for maximizing long-term shareholder returns based on our expectations of the required investments necessary to improve the Canadian segment’s financial performance, both in the near and long-term. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we began a markdown strategy with the intent to liquidate our inventory prior to closing our stores. At February 1, 2014, we re-valued our inventory at our net realizable value based on estimated cash proceeds prior to closing, which represents our estimate of its market value. The cost associated with the revaluation of inventory was recorded in our cost of sales. We, also, conducted a review of our long lived assets. We determined that the elimination of future cash flows from our operations beyond the first quarter of 2014 resulted in the impairment of our property and equipment and our tradename intangible assets; therefore, we recorded a $6.5 million impairment charge for property and equipment, in order to reduce its value to estimated salvage value, and recorded a $0.5 million charge to fully impair our Canadian tradenames. Please see the third paragraph of note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Additionally, we conducted an impairment review of our goodwill associated with our Canadian segment, determined that the goodwill had been impaired, and we recorded a $12.7 million impairment charge. Please see the final paragraph of note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
	The wind down of our Canadian operations has been separated into two phases: our distribution centers and our stores. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we ceased the operations in our distribution centers, as receiving, processing, and distributing activities were completed. Associated with the closure of our distribution centers and certain administrative activities, we recorded a severance charge of approximately $2.7 million in our selling and administrative expenses. Additionally, with the closure of certain leased distribution centers, we recorded contract termination costs of approximately $1.3 million.
	The following table summarizes the components of our wind down activities associated with our Canadian segment and the related liabilities for 2013:
	(In thousands)	Severance			Contract Termination Costs			Total
	Balance at February 2, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	2,739			1,276			4,015
	Adjustments	—			—			—
	Payments	(319		)	—			(319		)
	Period change	2,420			1,276			3,696
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	2,420		$	1,276		$	3,696
	During February 2014, we closed all stores in our Canadian segment, which will result in an estimated additional severance charge associated with this exit activity in the range of $1.0 million to $2.0 million. In addition, contract termination costs, primarily associated with our stores operating leases, will be recorded upon the cessation of our Canadian segment's operations during the first quarter of 2014, which we estimate will be in the range of $28.0 million to $31.0 million.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	Our discontinued operations for 2013, 2012, and 2011, were comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Wholesale business	$	(4,371	)	$	423		$	1,899
	Closed stores	—			2			(19		)
	KB Toys matters	5,248			(78		)	(264		)
	Total income (loss) from discontinued operations, pretax	$	877		$	347		$	1,616
	Wholesale Business
	During the third quarter of 2013, we announced our intention to wind down the operations of our wholesale business, within our U.S. segment. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we executed our wind down plan and ceased the operations of our wholesale business; therefore, we determined the results of our wholesale business should be reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The results of operations of our wholesale business primarily consist of sales of product to wholesale customers, the costs associated with those products, and selling and administrative expenses, including personnel, purchasing, warehousing, distributing, occupancy and overhead costs. Please see the Wholesale Business section of note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further information of the costs incurred during 2013.
	Closed Stores
	In 2005, we determined that the results of 130 stores closed in 2005 should be reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. For 2013, 2012, and 2011, the closed stores' operating income (loss) is comprised of exit-related costs, utilities, and security expenses on leased properties with remaining terms.
	KB Toys Matters
	We acquired the KB Toys business from Melville Corporation (now known as CVS New York, Inc., and together with its subsidiaries “CVS”) in May 1996. As part of that acquisition, we provided, among other things, an indemnity to CVS with respect to any losses resulting from KB Toys' failure to pay all monies due and owing under any KB Toys lease or mortgage obligation. While we controlled the KB Toys business, we provided guarantees with respect to a limited number of additional KB Toys store leases. We sold the KB Toys business to KB Acquisition Corp. (“KBAC”), an affiliate of Bain Capital, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement. KBAC similarly agreed to indemnify us with respect to all lease and mortgage obligations. These guarantee and lease obligations are collectively referred to as the “KB Lease Obligations.”
	On January 14, 2004, KBAC and certain affiliated entities (collectively referred to as “KB-I”) filed for bankruptcy protection pursuant to Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. In connection with the 2004 bankruptcy, KB-I rejected 226 store leases and two distribution center leases for which we believed we may have guarantee or indemnification obligations (collectively referred to as the “KB-I Bankruptcy Lease Obligations”). We recorded pretax charges for estimated KB-I Bankruptcy Lease Obligations in loss from discontinued operations of $18.1 million in years prior to 2007. We based this amount on the number of demand notices that we had received from landlords and used information received from KB-I, the bankruptcy trust, and our own lease records which date back to when we owned the KB Toys business.
	In the second fiscal quarter of 2007, we recorded a gain of $2.0 million, pretax in income (loss) from discontinued operations to reflect favorable settlements related to the KB-I Bankruptcy Lease Obligations. In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2007, we recorded approximately $8.8 million in income of the KB-I Bankruptcy Lease Obligations to reduce the amount on our consolidated balance sheet to zero as of February 2, 2008. We based this reversal on the following factors: (1) we had not received any new demand letters from landlords during 2007; (2) all prior demands against us by landlords had been settled or paid or the landlords had stopped pursuing their demands; (3) the KB-I bankruptcy occurred more than four years prior to the end of 2007 and most of the lease rejections occurred more than three years prior to the end of 2007; and (4) we believed that the likelihood of new claims against us was remote, and, if incurred, the amount would be immaterial. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we received a final distribution from the KB-I bankruptcy estate in the amount of $2.1 million.
	On August 30, 2005, in connection with the acquisition by an affiliate of Prentice Capital Management of majority ownership of KB-I, KB-I emerged from its 2004 bankruptcy (the KB Toys business that emerged from bankruptcy is hereinafter referred to as “KB-II”). In 2007, we entered into an agreement with KB-II and various Prentice Capital entities which we believe provides a cap on our liability under the existing KB Lease Obligations and an indemnity from the Prentice Capital entities with respect to any renewals, extensions, modifications or amendments of the KB Lease Obligations which otherwise could potentially expose us to additional incremental liability beyond the date of the agreement, September 24, 2007. Under the agreement, KB-II is required to update us periodically with respect to the status of any remaining leases for which they believe we have a guarantee or indemnification obligation. In addition, we have the right to request a statement of the net asset value of Prentice Capital Offshore in order to monitor the sufficiency of the indemnity.
	On December 11, 2008, KB-II filed for bankruptcy protection pursuant to Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code. Based on information provided to us by KB-II, we believe that we continue to have KB Lease Obligations with respect to 29 KB Toys stores (“KB-II Bankruptcy Lease Obligations”). In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008, we recorded a charge in the amount of $5.0 million, pretax, in income (loss) from discontinued operations to reflect the estimated amount that we expect to pay for KB-II Bankruptcy Lease Obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we recorded approximately $3.1 million in income for the KB-II Bankruptcy Lease Obligations to reduce the amount on our consolidated balance sheet to zero as of February 1, 2013. We based this reversal on the following factors: (1) we had not received any new demand letters from landlords during the past two years; (2) all prior demands against us by landlords had been settled or paid or the landlords had stopped pursuing their demands; (3) the KB-II bankruptcy occurred more than five years prior to the end of 2008 and most of the lease rejections occurred more than two years prior to the end of 2013; and (4) we believed that the likelihood of new claims against us was remote, and, if incurred, the amount would be immaterial.
	In 2009, we obtained an assignment of a lease for the former KB corporate office at which time we recorded a charge of $1.2 million, pretax in income (loss) from discontinued operations primarily related to our remaining liability for the former KB corporate office. In 2012, the KB corporate office lease obligation expired.

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
COMPONENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	'
	COMPONENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, during 2011, 2012, and 2013:
	(In thousands)	Foreign currency translation			Pension Plan			Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
	Balance at January 29, 2011	$	—		$	(10,470	)	$	(10,470	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,050		)	(5,244		)	(6,294		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,245			1,245
	Period change	(1,050		)	(3,999		)	(5,049		)
	Balance at January 28, 2012	(1,050		)	(14,469		)	(15,519		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(383		)	989			606
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,583			1,583
	Period change	(383		)	2,572			2,189
	Balance at February 2, 2013	(1,433		)	(11,897		)	(13,330		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(3,589		)	2,352			(1,237		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,056			1,056
	Period change	(3,589		)	3,408			(181		)
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	(5,022	)	$	(8,489	)	$	(13,511	)
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income associated with our pension plans have been reclassified to selling and administrative expenses in our statement of operations. Please see note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on our pension plans.

Sale_of_Real_Estate

Sale of Real Estate	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Sale of Real Estate [Abstract]	'
SALE OF REAL ESTATE	'
	SALE OF REAL ESTATE
	In October 2013, we sold company-owned real property in California, on a component of which we operate a store, for $5.1 million. Concurrently with the sale, we entered into a lease agreement with the purchaser of the property which allows us to continue to operate our store on an uninterrupted basis. As a result of the sale and concurrent leaseback, we determined that only a portion of the gain on the transaction could be recognized currently. Based on the terms of the transaction, we recognized a gain of $3.6 million during the third quarter of 2013 and deferred a gain of $0.8 million, which will be amortized over the committed lease term.

Business_Segment_Data

Business Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA	'
	BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA
	We manage our business as two segments: U.S. and Canada.  The following tables summarize net sales, results of operations, and total assets, by segment:
	(In thousands)		2013										2012									2011
			U.S.			Canada				Total			U.S.			Canada			Total			U.S.			Canada			Total
	Net sales		$	5,124,755		$	177,157			$	5,301,912		$	5,212,318		$	154,847		$	5,367,165		$	5,097,144		$	62,105		$	5,159,249
	Depreciation expense		113,228			1,894				115,122			103,146			2,991			106,137			88,324			1,811			90,135
	Operating profit (loss)		229,909			(39,470		)		190,439			311,724			(13,693		)	298,031			355,915			(12,219		)	343,696
	Interest expense		(3,293		)	(46		)		(3,339		)	(4,190		)	(2		)	(4,192		)	(2,739		)	(791		)	(3,530		)
	Other income (expense)		(12		)	(1,201		)		(1,213		)	2			49			51			163			(336		)	(173		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		226,604			(40,717		)		185,887			307,536			(13,646		)	293,890			353,339			(13,346		)	339,993
	Income tax expense		61,544			(426		)		61,118			117,059			(138		)	116,921			133,835			—			133,835
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	165,060		$	(40,291	)		$	124,769		$	190,477		$	(13,508	)	$	176,969		$	219,504		$	(13,346	)	$	206,158
	(in thousands)		February 1, 2014										February 2, 2013
			U.S.			Canada				Total			U.S.			Canada			Total
	Total assets		$	1,709,255		$	30,344			$	1,739,599		$	1,681,005		$	72,621		$	1,753,626
	Our U.S. segment uses the following seven merchandise categories, which match our internal management and reporting of merchandise net sales: Food, Consumables, Soft Home, Hard Home, Furniture & Home Décor, Seasonal, and Electronics & Accessories. The Food category includes our beverage & grocery, candy & snacks, and specialty foods departments. The Consumables category includes our health and beauty, plastics, paper, chemical, and pet departments. The Soft Home category includes the fashion bedding, utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textile, and flooring departments. The Hard Home category includes our small appliances, table top, food preparation, stationary, greeting card, tools, paint, and home maintenance departments. The Furniture & Home Décor category includes our upholstery, mattress, ready-to-assemble, case goods, home décor, and frames departments. The Seasonal category includes our lawn & garden, summer, Christmas, toys, books, sporting goods, and other holiday departments. The Electronics & Accessories category includes the electronics, jewelry, apparel, hosiery, and infant accessories departments. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we realigned the merchandise categories reported in our U.S. segment to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team. Please see the Reclassifications section of note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
	The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category:
	(In thousands)			2013		2012			2011
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	1,072,410	$	1,060,993		$	1,010,007
		Seasonal		958,681		971,003			982,604
		Consumables		918,124		905,444			881,282
		Food		747,840		742,267			723,291
		Hard Home		514,232		543,954			537,092
		Electronics & Accessories		486,331		556,658			550,513
		Soft Home		427,137		431,999			412,355
		Total U.S.		5,124,755		5,212,318			5,097,144
	Canada			177,157		154,847			62,105
	Net sales			$	5,301,912	$	5,367,165		$	5,159,249

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA	'
	SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
	The selected quarterly financial data does not agree to our previously issued quarterly reports as a result of the reclassification of our wholesale business to discontinued operations during the fourth quarter of 2013. Please see the Wholesale Business section of note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Summarized fiscal quarterly financial data for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	Fiscal Year 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands, except per share amounts) (a)
	Net sales	$	1,303,614		$	1,218,800		$	1,143,221		$	1,636,277		$	5,301,912
	Gross margin	515,734			478,283			445,626			625,663			2,065,306
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	32,621			18,098			(6,929		)	80,979			124,769
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(288		)	28			(2,588		)	3,374			526
	Net income (loss)	32,333			18,126			(9,517		)	84,353			125,295
	Earnings (loss) per share - basic:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.32		$	(0.12	)	$	1.41		$	2.17
	Discontinued operations	(0.01		)	—			(0.05		)	0.06			0.01
		$	0.56		$	0.32		$	(0.17	)	$	1.47		$	2.18
	Earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.56		$	0.31		$	(0.12	)	$	1.39		$	2.15
	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.05		)	0.06			0.01
		$	0.56		$	0.31		$	(0.17	)	$	1.45		$	2.16
	Fiscal Year 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands, except per share amounts) (a)
	Net sales	$	1,286,297		$	1,211,378		$	1,124,907		$	1,744,583		$	5,367,165
	Gross margin	511,168			476,910			430,934			693,316			2,112,328
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	40,819			22,193			(6,182		)	120,139			176,969
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(73		)	(118		)	195			148			152
	Net income (loss)	40,746			22,075			(5,987		)	120,287			177,121
	Earnings (loss) per share - basic:
	Continuing operations	$	0.64		$	0.37		$	(0.11	)	$	2.1		$	2.96
	Discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
		$	0.64		$	0.37		$	(0.10	)	$	2.1		$	2.96
	Earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.63		$	0.36		$	(0.11	)	$	2.08		$	2.93
	Discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
		$	0.63		$	0.36		$	(0.10	)	$	2.09		$	2.93
	(a)	Earnings per share calculations for each fiscal quarter are based on the applicable weighted-average shares outstanding for each period and the sum of the earnings per share for the four fiscal quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year earnings per share amount.
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, we realigned the merchandise categories reported in our U.S. segment to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team. Please see the Reclassifications section of note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion. The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category by quarter in 2013, as reclassified:
	Fiscal Year 2013			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands)
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	329,287		$	220,798		$	246,093		$	276,232		$	1,072,410
		Seasonal		219,037			247,247			118,081			374,316			958,681
		Consumables		213,826			231,356			226,420			246,522			918,124
		Food		176,324			167,933			185,959			217,624			747,840
		Hard Home		117,697			123,461			121,368			151,706			514,232
		Electronics & Accessories		106,842			93,934			101,711			183,844			486,331
		Soft Home		104,007			96,176			105,286			121,668			427,137
		Total U.S.		1,267,020			1,180,905			1,104,918			1,571,912			5,124,755
	Canada			36,594			37,895			38,303			64,365			177,157
	Net sales			$	1,303,614		$	1,218,800		$	1,143,221		$	1,636,277		$	5,301,912

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENT	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On March 7, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $125.0 million of our common shares (“2014 Repurchase Program”). Pursuant to the 2014 Repurchase Program, we may repurchase shares in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. Common shares acquired through the 2014 Repurchase Program will be available to meet obligations under our equity compensation plans and for general corporate purposes. The 2014 Repurchase Program has no scheduled termination date and will be funded with cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations or, if needed, by drawing on the 2011 Credit Agreement.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	Description of Business
	We are the largest broadline closeout retailer in the U.S.  At February 1, 2014, we operated 1,570 stores in the United States of America (“U.S.”) and Canada. Our goal is to strengthen and build upon our leadership position in broadline closeout retailing by providing our customers with great savings on brand-name closeouts and other value-priced merchandise.
	During the first quarter of 2014, we ceased all operations in Canada. Please see the Canadian Segment section of note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on the wind down of our operations in Canada.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include Big Lots, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and include all of our accounts. We consolidate all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Management Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions creates a level of uncertainty with respect to reported or disclosed amounts in our consolidated financial statements or accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, judgments, and assumptions, including those that management considers critical to the accurate presentation and disclosure of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates, judgments, and assumptions on historical experience, current trends, and various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the inherent uncertainty in using estimates, judgments, and assumptions, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Periods
	Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31, which results in fiscal years consisting of 52 or 53 weeks.  Unless otherwise stated, references to years in this report relate to fiscal years rather than calendar years.  Fiscal year 2013 (“2013”) is comprised of the 52 weeks that began on February 3, 2013 and ended on February 1, 2014.  Fiscal year 2012 (“2012”) was comprised of the 53 weeks that began on January 29, 2012 and ended on February 2, 2013.  Fiscal year 2011 (“2011”) was comprised of the 52 weeks that began on January 30, 2011 and ended on January 28, 2012.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Segment Reporting
	We manage our broadline closeout retailing business based on two segments: the U.S. and Canada.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of amounts on deposit with financial institutions, outstanding checks, credit and debit card receivables, and highly liquid investments, including money market funds and variable rate demand notes, which are unrestricted to withdrawal or use and which have an original maturity of three months or less. We review cash and cash equivalent balances on a bank by bank basis in order to identify book overdrafts. Book overdrafts occur when the amount of outstanding checks exceed the cash deposited at a given bank. We reclassify book overdrafts, if any, to accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts due from banks for credit and debit card transactions are typically settled in less than seven days, and at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013, totaled $24.5 million and $24.6 million, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Restricted Cash
	Our restricted cash served as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we would fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with self-insurance. The cash was on deposit with our insurance carrier.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments
	Investment securities are classified as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, or trading at the date of purchase. Investments are recorded at fair value as either current assets or non-current assets based on the stated maturity or our plans to either hold or sell the investment. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are recognized in earnings. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized in other comprehensive income, until realized. We did not own any held-to-maturity or available-for-sale securities as of February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Merchandise Inventories
	Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the average cost retail inventory method. Cost includes any applicable inbound shipping and handling costs associated with the receipt of merchandise into our distribution centers (See the discussion below under the caption “Selling and Administrative Expenses” for additional information regarding outbound shipping and handling costs to our stores). Market is determined based on the estimated net realizable value, which generally is the merchandise selling price. Under the average cost retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into classes of merchandise having similar characteristics at its current retail selling value. Current retail selling values are converted to a cost basis by applying an average cost factor to each specific merchandise class' retail selling value. Cost factors represent the average cost-to-retail ratio computed using beginning inventory and all fiscal year-to-date purchase activity specific to each merchandise class.
	Under our previous inventory management system which was used through the end of 2011, we calculated average cost at the department level which constituted 50 inventory cost pools. On January 29, 2012, the first day of 2012, we completed the implementation of our new inventory management systems, which has allowed us to more precisely determine our inventory cost under the average cost retail inventory method. We now calculate average cost at the class level which constitutes approximately 350 inventory cost pools.
	As the impact of the accounting change in the beginning of the 2012 inventory was immaterial, we recognized the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle as an expense in 2012 by recording a reduction in inventory and a corresponding increase to cost of sales of approximately $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. This non-cash charge reduced the 2012 income from continuing operations and net income by approximately $3.4 million and reduced 2012 basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by $0.06.
	Under the average cost retail inventory method, permanent sales price markdowns result in cost reductions in inventory. Our permanent sales price markdowns are typically related to end of season clearance events and are recorded as a charge to cost of sales in the period of management's decision to initiate sales price reductions with the intent not to return the price to regular retail. Promotional markdowns are recorded as a charge to net sales in the period the merchandise is sold. Promotional markdowns are typically related to specific marketing efforts with respect to products maintained continuously in our stores or products that are only available in limited quantities but represent substantial value to our customers. Promotional markdowns are principally used to drive higher sales volume during a defined promotional period.
	We record a reduction to inventories and charge to cost of sales for a shrinkage inventory allowance. The shrinkage allowance is calculated as a percentage of sales for the period from the last physical inventory date to the end of the reporting period. Such estimates are based on our historical and current year experience based on physical inventory results.
	We record a reduction to inventories and charge to cost of sales for any excess or obsolete inventory. The excess or obsolete inventory is estimated based on a review of our aged inventory and takes into account any items that have already received a cost reduction as a result of the permanent markdown process discussed above. We estimate the reduction for excess or obsolete inventory based on historical sales trends, age and quantity of product on hand, and anticipated future sales.
Cost of Sales, Vendor Allowances, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Payments Received from Vendors
	Payments received from vendors relate primarily to rebates and reimbursement for markdowns and are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations as a reduction to cost of inventory purchases in the period that the rebate or reimbursement is earned or realized and, consequently, result in a reduction in cost of sales when the related inventory is sold.
Store Supplies Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Store Supplies
	When opening a new store, a portion of the initial shipment of supplies (including primarily display materials, signage, security-related items, and miscellaneous store supplies) is capitalized at the store opening date. These capitalized supplies represent more durable types of items for which we expect to receive future economic benefit. Subsequent replenishments of capitalized store supplies are expensed. The consumable/non-durable type items for which the future economic benefit is less measurable are expensed upon shipment to the store. Capitalized store supplies are adjusted periodically for changes in estimated quantities or costs and are included in other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment - Net
	Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment are recorded on a straight‑line basis using estimated service lives. The estimated service lives of our property and equipment by major asset category were as follows:
	Land improvements	15 years
	Buildings	40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5 years
	Store fixtures and equipment	5 years
	Distribution and transportation fixtures and equipment	5 - 15 years
	Office and computer equipment	5 years
	Computer software costs	5 - 8 years
	Company vehicles	3 years
	Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis using the shorter of their estimated service lives or the lease term. Because our most common initial lease term range from five to seven years and the majority of our lease options have a term of five years, we estimate the useful life of leasehold improvements at five years. This amortization period is consistent with the amortization period for any lease incentives that we would typically receive when initially entering into a new lease that are recognized as deferred rent and amortized over the initial lease term. Depreciation estimates are revised prospectively to reflect the remaining depreciation or amortization of the asset over the shortened estimated service life when a decision is made to dispose of property and equipment prior to the end of its previously estimated service life. The cost of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with any resulting gain or loss included in selling and administrative expenses. Major repairs that extend service lives are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Capitalized interest was not significant in any period presented.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	Our long-lived assets primarily consist of property and equipment - net. In order to determine if impairment indicators are present for store property and equipment, we review historical operating results at the store level on an annual basis, or when other impairment indicators are present. Generally, all other property and equipment is reviewed for impairment at the enterprise level. If the net book value of a store's long-lived assets is not recoverable by the expected future cash flows of the store, we estimate the fair value of the store's assets and recognize an impairment charge for the excess net book value of the store's long-lived assets over their fair value. Our assumptions related to estimates of future cash flows are based on historical results of cash flows adjusted for management projections for future periods. We estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets using expected cash flows, including salvage value, which is based on readily available market information for similar assets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill
	Instead of being amortized, goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We use an income approach and a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. We perform our annual impairment testing during our second fiscal quarter of each year.
Closed Store Poilcy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Closed Store Accounting
	We recognize an obligation for the fair value of lease termination costs when we cease using the leased property in our operations. In measuring fair value of these lease termination obligations, we consider the remaining minimum lease payments, estimated sublease rentals that could be reasonably obtained, and other potentially mitigating factors. We discount the estimated obligation using the applicable credit adjusted interest rate, resulting in accretion expense in periods subsequent to the period of initial measurement. We monitor the estimated obligation for lease termination liabilities in subsequent periods and revise any estimated liabilities, if necessary. Severance and benefits associated with terminating employees from employment are recognized ratably from the communication date through the estimated future service period, unless the estimated future service period is less than 60 days, in which case we recognize the impact at the communication date. Generally all other store closing costs are recognized when incurred.
	When material, we classify the results of operations of closed stores to discontinued operations when the operations and cash flows of the stores have been (or will be) eliminated from ongoing operations and we no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations associated with the stores after closure. We generally meet the second criteria on all closed stores as, upon closure, operations cease and we have no continuing involvement. To determine if cash flows have been (or will be) eliminated from ongoing operations, we evaluate a number of qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to, proximity of a closing store to any remaining open stores and the estimated sales migration from the closed store to any stores remaining open. The estimated sales migration is based on historical estimates of our sales migration upon opening or closing a store in a similar market. For purposes of reporting closed stores as discontinued operations, we report net sales, gross margin, and related operating costs that are directly related to and specifically identifiable with respect to the stores' operations identified as discontinued operations. Certain corporate-level charges, such as general office cost, field operations, national advertising, fixed distribution costs, and interest cost are not allocated to closed stores' discontinued operations because we believe that these costs are not specific to the stores' operations.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted law and tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	We assess the adequacy and need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. We have established a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the balance that is more likely than not to be realized.
	We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The effective income tax rate in any period may be materially impacted by the overall level of income (loss) before income taxes, the jurisdictional mix and magnitude of income (loss), changes in the income tax laws (which may be retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year), subsequent recognition, de-recognition and/or measurement of an uncertain tax benefit, changes in a deferred tax valuation allowance, and adjustments of a deferred tax asset or liability for enacted changes in tax laws or rates.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Pension
	Pension assumptions are evaluated each year. Actuarial valuations are used to calculate the estimated expenses and obligations related to our pension plans. We review external data and historical trends to help determine the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return. Our objective in selecting a discount rate is to identify the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations would be settled on the measurement date. In making this estimate, we review rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments available at the measurement date and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. This process includes a review of the bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better. The expected long-term rate of return on assets is derived from detailed periodic studies, which include a review of asset allocation strategies, anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes, risks (standard deviations), and correlations of returns among the asset classes that comprise the plan's asset mix. While the studies give appropriate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumption for the expected long-term rate of return is primarily based on our expectation of a long-term, prospective rate of return.
Self Insurance Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Insurance and Insurance-Related Reserves
	We are self-insured for certain losses relating to property, general liability, workers' compensation, and employee medical and dental benefit claims, a portion of which is paid by employees. We purchase stop-loss coverage to limit significant exposure in these areas. Accrued insurance-related liabilities and related expenses are based on actual claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. The estimated accruals are determined by applying actuarially-based calculations. General liability and workers' compensation liabilities are recorded at our estimate of their net present value, using a 4% discount rate, while other liabilities for insurance-related reserves are not discounted.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
	Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	The carrying value of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these items.
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
	Our accruals for costs associated with exit or disposal activities primarily consist of contract termination costs, principally related to operating leases, and severance benefits. The costs arose from our decision to wind down the operations of certain businesses and/or segments. When determining the valuation of the liabilities for our contract termination cost estimates, we utilize the advice and input of outside experts who specialize in real estate activities. The accruals for contract termination costs and severance benefits factor in many variables including, but not limited to, expected vacancy periods, tenancy rates per square foot, buy-out scenarios, costs of capital, operating performance during the wind down period, and forfeitures. Additionally, these liabilities have been recorded at their net present value, which represents their fair value. Given the number of assumptions and the unobservable nature of certain of the inputs, these accruals for costs associated with exit or disposal activities are considered to be Level 3.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	We are subject to various claims and contingencies including legal actions and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. In connection with such claims and contingencies, we estimate the likelihood and amount of any potential obligation, where it is possible to do so, using management's judgment. Management uses various internal and external specialists to assist in the estimating process. We accrue, if material, a liability if the likelihood of an adverse outcome is probable and the amount is estimable. If the likelihood of an adverse outcome is only reasonably possible (as opposed to probable), or if it is probable but an estimate is not determinable, disclosure of a material claim or contingency is made in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and no accrual is made.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize sales at the time the customer takes possession of the merchandise. Sales are recorded net of discounts and estimated returns and exclude any sales tax. The reserve for merchandise returns is estimated based on our prior return experience.
	We sell gift cards in our stores and issue merchandise credits, typically as a result of customer returns, on stored value cards. We do not charge administrative fees on unused gift card or merchandise credit balances and our gift cards and merchandise credits do not expire. We recognize sales revenue from the use of gift cards and merchandise credits when (1) the gift card or merchandise credit is redeemed in a sales transaction by the customer or (2) breakage occurs. We recognize gift card and merchandise credit breakage when we estimate that the likelihood of the card or credit being redeemed by the customer is remote and we determine that we do not have a legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed cards or credits to the relevant regulatory authority. We estimate breakage based upon historical redemption patterns. For 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recognized in net sales on our consolidated statements of operations breakage of $0.2 million, $0.5 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, related to unredeemed gift card and merchandise credit balances that had aged at least four years beyond the end of their original issuance month. The liability for the unredeemed cash value of gift cards and merchandise credits is recorded in accrued operating expenses.
	We offer price hold contracts on merchandise. Revenue for price hold contracts is recognized when the customer makes the final payment and takes possession of the merchandise. Amounts paid by customers under price hold contracts are recorded in accrued operating expenses until a sale is consummated.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise, net of cash discounts and rebates, markdowns, and inventory shrinkage. Cost of merchandise includes related inbound freight to our distribution centers, duties, and commissions. We classify warehousing and outbound distribution and transportation costs as selling and administrative expenses. Due to this classification, our gross margin rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include warehousing and outbound distribution and transportation costs in cost of sales.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Selling and Administrative Expenses
	Selling and administrative expenses include store expenses (such as payroll and occupancy costs) and costs related to warehousing, distribution, outbound transportation to our stores, advertising, purchasing, insurance, non-income taxes, and overhead. Selling and administrative expense rates may not be comparable to those of other retailers that include warehousing, distribution, and outbound transportation costs in cost of sales. Distribution and outbound transportation costs included in selling and administrative expenses were $170.5 million, $165.3 million, and $159.6 million for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Rent Expense
	Rent expense is recognized over the term of the lease and is included in selling and administrative expenses. We recognize minimum rent starting when possession of the property is taken from the landlord, which normally includes a construction or set-up period prior to store opening. When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as deferred incentive rent. We also receive tenant allowances, which are recorded in deferred incentive rent and are amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the term of the lease.
	Our leases generally obligate us for our applicable portion of real estate taxes, common area maintenance (“CAM”), and property insurance that has been incurred by the landlord with respect to the leased property. We maintain accruals for our estimated applicable portion of real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance incurred but not settled at each reporting date. We estimate these accruals based on historical payments made and take into account any known trends. Inherent in these estimates is the risk that actual costs incurred by landlords and the resulting payments by us may be higher or lower than the amounts we have recorded on our books.
	Certain of our leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at the lease inception date. Contingent rent includes rent based on a percentage of sales that are in excess of a predetermined level. Contingent rent is excluded from minimum rent and is included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising Expense
	Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, consist primarily of television and print advertising, internet marketing and advertising, and in-store point-of-purchase presentations. Advertising expenses are included in selling and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were $98.6 million, $101.1 million, and $98.5 million for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Store Pre-opening Costs [Policy Text Block]	'
	Store Pre-opening Costs
	Pre-opening costs incurred during the construction periods for new store openings are expensed as incurred and included in our selling and administrative expenses.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Share-based compensation expense is recognized in selling and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for all options that we expect to vest. We estimate forfeitures based on historical information. We value and expense stock options with graded vesting as a single award with an average estimated life over the entire term of the award. The expense for options with graded vesting is recorded straight-line over the vesting period. We estimate the fair value of stock options using a binomial model. The binomial model takes into account variables such as volatility, dividend yield rate, risk-free rate, contractual term of the option, the probability that the option will be exercised prior to the end of its contractual life, and the probability of retirement of the option holder in computing the value of the option. Expected volatility is based on historical and current implied volatilities from traded options on our common shares. The dividend yield on our common shares is assumed to be zero since we have not paid dividends and have no current plans to do so in the future. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury security yields at the time of the grant. The expected life is determined from the binomial model, which incorporates exercise and post-vesting forfeiture assumptions based on analysis of historical data.
	Compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock awards and performance share units is recorded based on fair value of the award on the grant date and the estimated achievement date of the performance criteria. An estimated target achievement date is determined at the time of the award based on historical and forecasted performance of similar measures. We monitor the projected achievement of the performance targets at each reporting period and make prospective adjustments to the estimated vesting period when our internal models indicate that the estimated achievement date differs from the date being used to amortize expense.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each period and the additional dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Guarantees, Indemnifications and Warranties Policies [Policy Text Block]	'
	Guarantees
	We have lease guarantees which were issued prior to January 1, 2003. We record a liability for these lease guarantees in the period when it becomes probable that the obligor will fail to perform its obligation and if the amount of our guarantee obligation is estimable.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency of our international subsidiary is the local currency of the country in which the subsidiary is located. We have one foreign subsidiary domiciled in Canada. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the period. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translation of assets and liabilities is included as a component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, which are included in other income (expense), were a loss of $1.2 million for 2013, immaterial for 2012, and a loss of $0.4 million for 2011.
Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Other Comprehensive Income
	Our other comprehensive income includes the impact of the amortization of our pension actuarial loss, net of tax, the revaluation of our pension actuarial loss, net of tax, and the impact of foreign currency translation.
Comparability of Prior Year Financial Data, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications
	Wholesale Business
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, we executed our wind down plan and ceased the operations of our wholesale business; therefore, we determined the results of our wholesale business should be reported as discontinued operations. As such, we have reclassified our results for all periods presented. Please see the Wholesale Business section of note 13 and note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the wind down and the costs incurred during 2013.
	Merchandise Categories
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, we realigned select merchandise categories to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team and changes to our management reporting in our U.S. segment. We moved our toys, books, and sporting goods departments out of the Hardlines & Toys category and into our Seasonal category. We moved our table top, food preparation, stationary, gift wrap, and greeting card departments out of our Home category and into our Hard Home. Additionally, we moved our home décor and frames departments out of our Home category and into our Furniture category. We subsequently renamed the remaining classifications in our Home category as Soft Home. We also renamed our Furniture category to Furniture & Home Décor. Furthermore, we renamed our Electronics & Other category to Electronics & Accessories.
	Also in the fourth quarter of 2013, we separated several of our existing merchandise departments into new departments to be consistent with the realignment of our merchandising team and changes to our management reporting. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2013, our Food category consisted of our food and specialty food departments. We separated our food department into two separate departments named candy & snacks and beverage & grocery. In our Home category, we separated our domestics department into six new departments named fashion bedding, utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textile, and flooring.
	Our U.S. segment now uses the following merchandise categories, which match our internal management and reporting of merchandise net sales: Food, Consumables, Soft Home, Hard Home, Furniture & Home Décor, Seasonal, and Electronics & Accessories. The Food category includes our beverage & grocery, candy & snacks, and specialty foods departments. The Consumables category includes our health and beauty, plastics, paper, chemical, and pet departments. The Soft Home category includes the fashion bedding, utility bedding, bath, window, decorative textile, and flooring departments. The Hard Home category includes our small appliances, table top, food preparation, stationary, greeting card, tools, paint, and home maintenance departments. The Furniture & Home Décor category includes our upholstery, mattress, ready-to-assemble, case goods, home décor, and frames departments. The Seasonal category includes our lawn & garden, summer, Christmas, toys, books, sporting goods, and other holiday departments. The Electronics & Accessories category includes the electronics, jewelry, apparel, hosiery, and infant accessories departments. In order to provide comparative information, we have reclassified our results into the new alignment for all periods presented.
Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	We have evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date. Based on this evaluation, we are not aware of any events or transactions (other than those disclosed elsewhere) that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	The estimated service lives of our property and equipment by major asset category were as follows:
	Land improvements	15 years
	Buildings	40 years
	Leasehold improvements	5 years
	Store fixtures and equipment	5 years
	Distribution and transportation fixtures and equipment	5 - 15 years
	Office and computer equipment	5 years
	Computer software costs	5 - 8 years
	Company vehicles	3 years
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides supplemental cash flow information for 2013, 2012, and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Cash paid for interest, including capital leases	$	2,687	$	3,369	$	2,742
	Cash paid for income taxes, excluding impact of refunds	$	122,672	$	95,596	$	114,406
	Gross proceeds from borrowings under the bank credit facility	$	1,330,100	$	1,448,800	$	846,300
	Gross payments of borrowings under the bank credit facility	$	1,424,300	$	1,343,500	$	780,400
	Non-cash activity:
	Assets acquired under capital leases	$	—	$	392	$	2,925
	Accrued property and equipment	$	5,296	$	6,824	$	8,711
	Notes payable assumed in acquisition	$	—	$	—	$	16,664

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment - Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property and equipment - net consist of:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014		February 2, 2013
	Land and land improvements	$	50,830	$	50,797
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	835,117		803,267
	Fixtures and equipment	692,152		674,684
	Computer software costs	128,787		114,572
	Transportation equipment	26,763		27,303
	Construction-in-progress	6,791		23,759
	Property and equipment - cost	1,740,440		1,694,382
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,170,758		1,100,820
	Property and equipment - net	$	569,682	$	593,562

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Leases, Operating [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Rent Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Total rent expense, including real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance, charged to continuing operations for operating leases consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Minimum leases	$	329,654		$	309,526	$	284,697
	Contingent leases	391			460		637
	Total rent expense	$	330,045		$	309,986	$	285,334
Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Future minimum rental commitments for leases, excluding closed store leases, real estate taxes, CAM, and property insurance, at February 1, 2014, were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	260,921
	2015	213,657
	2016	173,486
	2017	127,602
	2018	92,941
	Thereafter	134,505
	Total leases	$	1,003,112
Leases, Capital [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Capital Leased Asssets [Table Text Block]	'
	Scheduled payments for all capital leases at February 1, 2014, were as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	930
	2015	86
	2016	2
	2017	—
	2018	—
	Thereafter	—
	Total lease payments	$	1,018
	Less amount to discount to present value	(8		)
	Capital lease obligation per balance sheet	$	1,010

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock options outstanding that were excluded from the diluted share calculation because their impact was antidilutive at the end of 2013, 2012, and 2011 were as follows:
	(In millions)	2013	2012	2011
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from dilutive share calculation	2.8	1.9	1.5
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the number of weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013	2012	2011
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
	Basic	57,415	59,852	68,316
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted common shares	543	624	1,103
	Diluted	57,958	60,476	69,419

ShareBased_Plans_Tables

Share-Based Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted and assumptions used in the stock option pricing model for each of the respective periods were as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	12.08		$	14.15		$	14.43
	Risk-free interest rates	0.8		%	0.6		%	1.8		%
	Expected life (years)	4.2			4.2			4.2
	Expected volatility	41.9		%	41.1		%	41.7		%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate	3		%	3		%	1.5		%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes information about our stock options outstanding and exercisable at February 1, 2014:
	Range of Prices								Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
	Greater Than				Less Than or Equal to				Options Outstanding		Weighted-Average Remaining Life (Years)	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Options Exercisable	Weighted-Average Exercise Price
	$	10.01			$	20			483,603		2	$	17.18	483,603	$	17.18
	20.01				30				163,763		1.3	23.63		162,825	23.6
	30.01				40				1,571,187		5.1	35.82		440,437	35.84
	$	40.01			$	50			1,158,750		4.6	42.59		493,250	42.22
									3,377,303		4.3	$	34.88	1,580,115	$	30.86
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the annual stock option activity for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 is as follows:
		Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000's)
	Outstanding stock options at January 29, 2011	3,578,683		$	24.59
	Granted	918,500		40.85
	Exercised	(500,085	)	20.81
	Forfeited	(320,675	)	33.84
	Outstanding stock options at January 28, 2012	3,676,423		$	28.36
	Granted	982,000		43.23
	Exercised	(1,406,262	)	23.67
	Forfeited	(223,075	)	40.18
	Outstanding stock options at February 2, 2013	3,029,086		$	34.49
	Granted	1,159,500		35.8
	Exercised	(213,520	)	22.87
	Forfeited	(597,763	)	38.97
	Outstanding stock options at February 1, 2014	3,377,303		$	34.88		4.3	$	5,264
	Vested or expected to vest at February 1, 2014	3,227,442		$	34.71		4.3	$	5,264
	Exercisable at February 1, 2014	1,580,115		$	30.86		3	$	5,264
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the nonvested awards other than stock options activity for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013 is as follows:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at January 29, 2011	503,784		$	35.88
	Granted	564,589		40.76
	Vested	(271,784	)	35.84
	Forfeited	(55,300	)	38.72
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at January 28, 2012	741,289		$	39.4
	Granted	589,784		42.9
	Vested	(477,664	)	38.52
	Forfeited	(69,800	)	43.04
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at February 2, 2013	783,609		$	42.25
	Granted	496,376		35.47
	Vested	(64,784	)	37.79
	Forfeited	(513,300	)	41.86
	Outstanding non-vested awards other than stock options at February 1, 2014	701,901		$	38.15
Schedule of Share Based Compensation, Additional Information [Table Text Block]	'
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011, the following activity occurred under our share-based compensation plans:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	2,646		$	29,350		$	8,747
	Total fair value of restricted stock vested	$	2,237		$	21,907		$	11,618

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of net periodic pension expense were comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Service cost - benefits earned in the period	$	2,086		$	2,171		$	2,211
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	3,041			3,292			3,496
	Expected investment return on plan assets	(2,893		)	(3,089		)	(4,627		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(34		)	(34		)	(34		)
	Amortization of transition obligation	12			13			13
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,692			2,345			1,796
	Settlement loss	83			298			298
	Net periodic pension cost	$	3,987		$	4,996		$	3,153
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension expense were:
		2013		2012		2011
	Discount rate	4.6	%	5	%	5.7	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%	3.5	%	3.9	%
	Expected long-term rate of return	5.1	%	5.5	%	8	%
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were:
		2013		2012
	Discount rate	5	%	4.6	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3	%	3.5	%
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
	The following schedule provides a reconciliation of projected benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized for the Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	70,210		$	69,942
	Service cost	2,086			2,171
	Interest cost	3,041			3,292
	Benefits and settlements paid	(5,035		)	(6,437		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(5,424		)	1,242
	Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$	64,878		$	70,210
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair market value at beginning of year	$	59,376		$	58,662
	Actual return on plan assets	1,379			5,969
	Employer contributions	609			1,182
	Benefits and settlements paid	(5,035		)	(6,437		)
	Fair market value at end of year	$	56,329		$	59,376
	Under funded and net amount recognized	$	(8,549	)	$	(10,834	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
	Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	—
	Current liabilities	(340		)	(361		)
	Noncurrent liabilities	(8,209		)	(10,473		)
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,549	)	$	(10,834	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following are components of accumulated other comprehensive income and, as such, are not yet reflected in net periodic pension expense:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Unrecognized transition obligation	$	—		$	(12	)
	Unrecognized past service credit	56			90
	Unrecognized actuarial loss	(14,124		)	(19,808		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss, pretax	$	(14,068	)	$	(19,730	)
Schedule of Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth certain information for the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013:
		Pension Plan							Supplemental Pension Plan
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013				February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Projected benefit obligation	$	59,724		$	63,951			$	5,154		$	6,259
	Accumulated benefit obligation	54,635			57,224				4,643			5,080
	Fair market value of plan assets	$	56,329		$	59,376			$	—		$	—
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
	Using the same assumptions as those used to measure our benefit obligations, the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan benefits expected to be paid in each of the following fiscal years are as follows:
	Fiscal Year	(In thousands)
	2014	$	5,242
	2015	5,435
	2016	5,438
	2017	5,334
	2018	5,283
	2019 - 2023	$	25,409
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of our Pension Plan assets at February 1, 2014 and February 2, 2013 by asset category was comprised of the following:
		February 1, 2014												February 2, 2013
	(In thousands)	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,418		$	1,418		$	—		$	—		$	821	$	821	$	—	$	—
	Common / Collective Trusts
	Long Credit	44,239			—			44,239			—			30,924		—		30,924		—
	High Yield	2,629			—			2,629			—			3,074		—		3,074		—
	Global Real Estate	2,623			—			2,623			—			3,244		—		3,244		—
	International Equities	2,172			—			2,172			—			2,643		—		2,643		—
	U.S. Equity Index	2,165			—			2,165			—			2,538		—		2,538		—
	U.S. Small Cap	1,075			—			1,075			—			1,254		—		1,254		—
	Intermediate Credit	8			—			8			—			14,878		—		14,878		—
	Total	$	56,329		$	1,418		$	54,911		$	—		$	59,376	$	821	$	58,555	$	—

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	The provision for income taxes from continuing operations was comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	U.S. Federal	$	81,159		$	91,299		$	106,737
	U.S. State and local	14,078			13,240			16,636
	Non-U.S.	—			—			—
	Total current tax expense	95,237			104,539			123,373
	Deferred:
	U.S. Federal	(31,754		)	10,333			9,207
	U.S. State and local	(2,365		)	2,049			1,255
	Non-U.S.	—			—			—
	Total deferred tax expense	(34,119		)	12,382			10,462
	Income tax provision	$	61,118		$	116,921		$	133,835
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	Reconciliation between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate for continuing operations was as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
	Statutory federal income tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	Effect of:
	State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	4		3.4		3.4
	Non-U.S. income tax rate differential	1.9		0.4		0.4
	Write off of foreign goodwill	1.8		—		—
	Work opportunity tax and other employment tax credits	(1.3	)	(0.3	)	(0.4	)
	Impaired investment in foreign subsidiary	(12.7	)	—		—
	Valuation allowance	4.2		1.2		1
	Other, net	—		0.1		—
	Effective income tax rate	32.9	%	39.8	%	39.4	%
Schedule of Income Taxes Paid [Table Text Block]	'
	Income tax payments and refunds were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes paid	$	122,672		$	95,596		$	114,406
	Income taxes refunded	(551		)	(2,764		)	(983		)
	Net income taxes paid	$	122,121		$	92,832		$	113,423
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Workers’ compensation and other insurance reserves	$	31,483		$	34,118
	Accrued rent	30,962			30,681
	Non-U.S. net operating losses	24,430			22,098
	Compensation related	24,505			21,351
	Impaired investment in foreign subsidiary	23,899			—
	Uniform inventory capitalization	20,708			20,654
	Depreciation and fixed asset basis differences	12,727			11,475
	Accrued state taxes	7,540			6,931
	State tax credits, net of federal tax benefit	3,987			3,547
	Pension plans	3,414			4,315
	Accrued operating liabilities	2,585			2,325
	KB store lease and other discontinued operations contingencies	—			1,218
	Other	26,105			23,907
	Valuation allowances - primarily related to Non-U.S. operations	(30,013		)	(24,965		)
	Total deferred tax assets	182,332			157,655
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Accelerated depreciation and fixed asset basis differences	71,829			76,509
	Lease construction reimbursements	16,773			16,203
	Prepaid expenses	6,220			6,427
	Workers’ compensation and other insurance reserves	5,121			6,922
	Compensation related	—			2,701
	Other	17,502			13,890
	Total deferred tax liabilities	117,445			122,652
	Net deferred tax assets	$	64,887		$	35,003
	Net deferred tax assets are shown separately on our consolidated balance sheets as current and non-current deferred income taxes. The following table summarizes net deferred income tax assets from the consolidated balance sheets:
	(In thousands)	February 1, 2014			February 2, 2013
	Current deferred income taxes	$	59,781		$	37,696
	Noncurrent deferred income taxes	5,106			(2,693		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	64,887		$	35,003
Summary of Tax Credit Carryforwards [Table Text Block]	'
	We have the following income tax loss and credit carryforwards at February 1, 2014 (amounts are shown net of tax excluding the federal income tax effect of the state and local items):
	(In thousands)
	Non-U.S.:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	24,430		Expires fiscal years 2026 through 2033, subject to a full valuation allowance
	U.S. State and local:
	State net operating loss carryforwards	567			Expires fiscal years 2020 through 2025
	California enterprise zone credits	5,865			Expires fiscal year 2023
	Texas business loss credits	268			Expires fiscal years through 2025
	Total income tax loss and credit carryforwards	$	31,130
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for 2013, 2012, and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits - opening balance	$	16,019		$	16,755		$	27,250
	Gross increases - tax positions in current year	991			838			2,179
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	1,247			1,626			616
	Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	(532		)	(1,928		)	(9,513		)
	Settlements	(4		)	(382		)	(2,581		)
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(949		)	(890		)	(1,196		)
	Foreign currency translation	(122		)	—			—
	Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year	$	16,650		$	16,019		$	16,755

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, which is generally not deductible for income tax purposes, for the fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Beginning of year	$	13,522		$	12,282
	Goodwill adjustments	—			1,191
	Foreign currency impact	(818		)	49
	Impairment loss	(12,704		)	—
	End of year	$	—		$	13,522

Costs_Associated_With_Wind_Dow1

Costs Associated With Wind Down Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
UNITED STATES | Wholesale [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the components of our wind down activities associated with our wholesale business and the related liabilities for 2013:
	(In thousands)	Severance			Contract Termination Costs			Total
	Balance at February 2, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	1,078			212			1,290
	Adjustments	(302		)	—			(302		)
	Payments	(254		)	(212		)	(466		)
	Period change	522			—			522
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	522		$	—		$	522
CANADA | CANADA	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the components of our wind down activities associated with our Canadian segment and the related liabilities for 2013:
	(In thousands)	Severance			Contract Termination Costs			Total
	Balance at February 2, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	2,739			1,276			4,015
	Adjustments	—			—			—
	Payments	(319		)	—			(319		)
	Period change	2,420			1,276			3,696
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	2,420		$	1,276		$	3,696

Discontinued_Operation_Tables

Discontinued Operation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Our discontinued operations for 2013, 2012, and 2011, were comprised of the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Wholesale business	$	(4,371	)	$	423		$	1,899
	Closed stores	—			2			(19		)
	KB Toys matters	5,248			(78		)	(264		)
	Total income (loss) from discontinued operations, pretax	$	877		$	347		$	1,616

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe1

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
COMPONENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, during 2011, 2012, and 2013:
	(In thousands)	Foreign currency translation			Pension Plan			Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
	Balance at January 29, 2011	$	—		$	(10,470	)	$	(10,470	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,050		)	(5,244		)	(6,294		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,245			1,245
	Period change	(1,050		)	(3,999		)	(5,049		)
	Balance at January 28, 2012	(1,050		)	(14,469		)	(15,519		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(383		)	989			606
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,583			1,583
	Period change	(383		)	2,572			2,189
	Balance at February 2, 2013	(1,433		)	(11,897		)	(13,330		)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(3,589		)	2,352			(1,237		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			1,056			1,056
	Period change	(3,589		)	3,408			(181		)
	Balance at February 1, 2014	$	(5,022	)	$	(8,489	)	$	(13,511	)

Business_Segment_Data_Tables

Business Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables summarize net sales, results of operations, and total assets, by segment:
	(In thousands)		2013											2012									2011
			U.S.			Canada				Total				U.S.			Canada			Total			U.S.			Canada			Total
	Net sales		$	5,124,755		$	177,157			$	5,301,912			$	5,212,318		$	154,847		$	5,367,165		$	5,097,144		$	62,105		$	5,159,249
	Depreciation expense		113,228			1,894				115,122				103,146			2,991			106,137			88,324			1,811			90,135
	Operating profit (loss)		229,909			(39,470		)		190,439				311,724			(13,693		)	298,031			355,915			(12,219		)	343,696
	Interest expense		(3,293		)	(46		)		(3,339		)		(4,190		)	(2		)	(4,192		)	(2,739		)	(791		)	(3,530		)
	Other income (expense)		(12		)	(1,201		)		(1,213		)		2			49			51			163			(336		)	(173		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		226,604			(40,717		)		185,887				307,536			(13,646		)	293,890			353,339			(13,346		)	339,993
	Income tax expense		61,544			(426		)		61,118				117,059			(138		)	116,921			133,835			—			133,835
	Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	165,060		$	(40,291	)		$	124,769			$	190,477		$	(13,508	)	$	176,969		$	219,504		$	(13,346	)	$	206,158
	(in thousands)		February 1, 2014											February 2, 2013
			U.S.			Canada				Total				U.S.			Canada			Total
	Total assets		$	1,709,255		$	30,344			$	1,739,599			$	1,681,005		$	72,621		$	1,753,626
Schedule of Net Sales by Category [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category:
	(In thousands)			2013		2012			2011
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	1,072,410	$	1,060,993		$	1,010,007
		Seasonal		958,681		971,003			982,604
		Consumables		918,124		905,444			881,282
		Food		747,840		742,267			723,291
		Hard Home		514,232		543,954			537,092
		Electronics & Accessories		486,331		556,658			550,513
		Soft Home		427,137		431,999			412,355
		Total U.S.		5,124,755		5,212,318			5,097,144
	Canada			177,157		154,847			62,105
	Net sales			$	5,301,912	$	5,367,165		$	5,159,249
	The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category by quarter in 2013, as reclassified:
	Fiscal Year 2013			First		Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands)
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	329,287	$	220,798		$	246,093		$	276,232		$	1,072,410
		Seasonal		219,037		247,247			118,081			374,316			958,681
		Consumables		213,826		231,356			226,420			246,522			918,124
		Food		176,324		167,933			185,959			217,624			747,840
		Hard Home		117,697		123,461			121,368			151,706			514,232
		Electronics & Accessories		106,842		93,934			101,711			183,844			486,331
		Soft Home		104,007		96,176			105,286			121,668			427,137
		Total U.S.		1,267,020		1,180,905			1,104,918			1,571,912			5,124,755
	Canada			36,594		37,895			38,303			64,365			177,157
	Net sales			$	1,303,614	$	1,218,800		$	1,143,221		$	1,636,277		$	5,301,912

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Summarized fiscal quarterly financial data for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	Fiscal Year 2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands, except per share amounts) (a)
	Net sales	$	1,303,614		$	1,218,800		$	1,143,221		$	1,636,277		$	5,301,912
	Gross margin	515,734			478,283			445,626			625,663			2,065,306
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	32,621			18,098			(6,929		)	80,979			124,769
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(288		)	28			(2,588		)	3,374			526
	Net income (loss)	32,333			18,126			(9,517		)	84,353			125,295
	Earnings (loss) per share - basic:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.32		$	(0.12	)	$	1.41		$	2.17
	Discontinued operations	(0.01		)	—			(0.05		)	0.06			0.01
		$	0.56		$	0.32		$	(0.17	)	$	1.47		$	2.18
	Earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.56		$	0.31		$	(0.12	)	$	1.39		$	2.15
	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.05		)	0.06			0.01
		$	0.56		$	0.31		$	(0.17	)	$	1.45		$	2.16
	Fiscal Year 2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands, except per share amounts) (a)
	Net sales	$	1,286,297		$	1,211,378		$	1,124,907		$	1,744,583		$	5,367,165
	Gross margin	511,168			476,910			430,934			693,316			2,112,328
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	40,819			22,193			(6,182		)	120,139			176,969
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(73		)	(118		)	195			148			152
	Net income (loss)	40,746			22,075			(5,987		)	120,287			177,121
	Earnings (loss) per share - basic:
	Continuing operations	$	0.64		$	0.37		$	(0.11	)	$	2.1		$	2.96
	Discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
		$	0.64		$	0.37		$	(0.10	)	$	2.1		$	2.96
	Earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
	Continuing operations	$	0.63		$	0.36		$	(0.11	)	$	2.08		$	2.93
	Discontinued operations	—			—			—			—			—
		$	0.63		$	0.36		$	(0.10	)	$	2.09		$	2.93
Schedule of Net Sales by Category [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category:
	(In thousands)			2013			2012			2011
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	1,072,410		$	1,060,993		$	1,010,007
		Seasonal		958,681			971,003			982,604
		Consumables		918,124			905,444			881,282
		Food		747,840			742,267			723,291
		Hard Home		514,232			543,954			537,092
		Electronics & Accessories		486,331			556,658			550,513
		Soft Home		427,137			431,999			412,355
		Total U.S.		5,124,755			5,212,318			5,097,144
	Canada			177,157			154,847			62,105
	Net sales			$	5,301,912		$	5,367,165		$	5,159,249
	The following table presents net sales data by segment and merchandise category by quarter in 2013, as reclassified:
	Fiscal Year 2013			First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	(In thousands)
	U.S.
		Furniture & Home Décor		$	329,287		$	220,798		$	246,093		$	276,232		$	1,072,410
		Seasonal		219,037			247,247			118,081			374,316			958,681
		Consumables		213,826			231,356			226,420			246,522			918,124
		Food		176,324			167,933			185,959			217,624			747,840
		Hard Home		117,697			123,461			121,368			151,706			514,232
		Electronics & Accessories		106,842			93,934			101,711			183,844			486,331
		Soft Home		104,007			96,176			105,286			121,668			427,137
		Total U.S.		1,267,020			1,180,905			1,104,918			1,571,912			5,124,755
	Canada			36,594			37,895			38,303			64,365			177,157
	Net sales			$	1,303,614		$	1,218,800		$	1,143,221		$	1,636,277		$	5,301,912

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ3

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
	store
Component of Operating Other Cost and Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of Stores	1,570	'	'
Operating Cycle	'52 or 53 weeks	'	'
Fiscal Period	'P52W	'P53W	'P52W
Credit and Debit Card Receivables, at Carrying Value	$24,500,000	$24,600,000	'
Revenue Recognition, Gift Cards, Breakage	200,000	500,000	600,000
Distribution And Transportation Expense	170,500,000	165,300,000	159,600,000
Advertising Expense	98,600,000	101,100,000	98,500,000
Foreign Currency [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss)	($1,200,000)	$0	($400,000)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ4

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Useful Lives of Fixed Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Land Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'15 years
Buildings [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'40 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years
Store Fixtures and Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years
Distribution and Transportation Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years
Distribution and Transportation Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'15 years
Office and Computer Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years
Computer Software Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years
Computer Software Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'8 years
Company Vehicles [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ5

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Merchandise Inventories (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 02, 2013	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
	Change in Accounting Principle, Increase in Merchandise Inventory Cost Pools [Member]	Change in Accounting Principle, Increase in Merchandise Inventory Cost Pools [Member]	Scenario, Actual [Member]	Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
			cost_pool	cost_pool
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Inventory Cost Pools	'	'	350	50
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Operating Results	($5.60)	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Income from Continuing Operations	'	-3.4	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Income Per Diluted Share from Continuing Operations	'	($0.06)	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income	'	($3.40)	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Income Per Basic Share from Continuing Operations	'	($0.06)	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ6

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest, including capital leases	$2,687	$3,369	$2,742
Cash paid for income taxes, excluding impact of refunds	122,672	95,596	114,406
Gross proceeds from borrowings under the bank credit facility	1,330,100	1,448,800	846,300
Gross repayments of borrowings under the bank credit facility	1,424,300	1,343,500	780,400
Non-cash activity:	'	'	'
Assets acquired under capital leases	0	392	2,925
Accrued property and equipment	5,296	6,824	8,711
Notes payable assumed in acquisition	$0	$0	$16,664

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment - Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	$1,740,440,000	$1,694,382,000	'
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,170,758,000	1,100,820,000	'
Property and equipment - net	569,682,000	593,562,000	'
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	4,200,000	4,200,000	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--02-01	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Capital Leases	3,200,000	2,200,000	'
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	104,786,000	131,273,000	131,293,000
Depreciation	115,122,000	106,137,000	90,135,000
Asset Impairment Charges	7,827,000	984,000	2,242,000
Land and land improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	50,830,000	50,797,000	'
Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	835,117,000	803,267,000	'
Fixtures and equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	692,152,000	674,684,000	'
Computer Software Costs [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	128,787,000	114,572,000	'
Transportation equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	26,763,000	27,303,000	'
Construction-in-progress [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment - cost	6,791,000	23,759,000	'
CANADA	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation	1,894,000	2,991,000	1,811,000
Number of Stores Impaired	'	4	'
UNITED STATES	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Depreciation	$113,228,000	$103,146,000	$88,324,000
Number of Stores Impaired	7	1	'

Bank_Credit_Facility_Details

Bank Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	30-May-13	Jul. 21, 2011	Apr. 28, 2009
	2011 Credit Agreement [Member]	2011 Credit Agreement [Member]	2011 Credit Agreement [Member]	2009 Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility	'	$700	'	$500
Deferred Finance Costs	'	0.9	3	'
Line of Credit Facility, Swing Loan Sublimit	30	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Letter of Credit Sublimit	150	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	77	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Letters of Credit Outstanding	5.6	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$617.40	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Level 1 [Member], USD $)	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$21.20	$20.70

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
	sqft
	store
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of Stores Leased	1,515	'	'
Leased Warehouse Space (in square feet)	500,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Minimum Leases	$329,654	$309,526	$284,697
Contingent Leases	391	460	637
Total Rent Expense	330,045	309,986	285,334
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	260,921	'	'
2015	213,657	'	'
2016	173,486	'	'
2017	127,602	'	'
2018	92,941	'	'
Thereafter	134,505	'	'
Total Leases	1,003,112	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Net Minimum Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	930	'	'
2015	86	'	'
2016	2	'	'
2017	0	'	'
2018	0	'	'
Thereafter	0	'	'
Total Lease Payments	1,018	'	'
Less amount to discount to present value	-8	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations Per Balance Sheet	$1,010	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Earnings_P

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings Per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	0	0	0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Other Than Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards, Amount	0	0	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	57,415,000	59,852,000	68,316,000
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted common shares	543,000	624,000	1,103,000
Diluted	57,958,000	60,476,000	69,419,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive stock options excluded from dilutive share calculation	2,800,000	1,900,000	1,500,000

ShareBased_Plans_Details

Share-Based Plans (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

81 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Jan. 29, 2011

15-May-12

14-May-12

31-May-08

Jan. 27, 2007

31-May-05

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Jan. 28, 2012

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Jan. 29, 2011

Jan. 28, 2012

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Feb. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Aug. 03, 2013

LTIP 2012 [Member]

LTIP 2012 [Member]

LTIP 2005 [Member]

LTIP 2005 [Member]

LTIP 2005 [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share Based Awards 2011 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2011 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2011 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2012 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2012 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2012 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2013 [Member]

Share Based Awards 2013 [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

LTIP 2012 [Member]

LTIP 2005 [Member]

LTIP 2005 [Member]

Initial [Member]

Current [Member]

Current [Member]

Initial [Member]

Current [Member]

Current [Member]

Initial [Member]

Current [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized

'

'

'

'

7,750,000

4,702,362

2,100,000

2,001,142

1,250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Annual Increase in Number of Shares Authorized as a Percent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 years

'7 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Term Following Termination of Employment, Death, or Disability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense

$13,200,000

$17,900,000

$25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Payments

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted

$12.08

$14.15

$14.43

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rates

0.80%

0.60%

1.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected life (years)

'4 years 2 months 12 days

'4 years 2 months 12 days

'4 years 2 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected volatility

41.90%

41.10%

41.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected annual forfeiture rate

3.00%

3.00%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number

3,227,442

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Exercisable, Number

1,580,115

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$34.88

$34.49

$28.36

$24.59

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$35.80

$43.23

$40.85

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$22.87

$23.67

$20.81

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$38.97

$40.18

$33.84

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$34.71

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price

$30.86

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'4 years 3 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'4 years 3 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

'3 years 0 months 15 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value

5,264,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value

5,264,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value

5,264,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'5 years

'4 years

'3 years

'5 years

'4 years

'3 years

'5 years

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding stock options

3,029,086

3,676,423

3,578,683

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted

1,159,500

982,000

918,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised

-213,520

-1,406,262

-500,085

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeitured

-597,763

-223,075

-320,675

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding stock options

3,377,303

3,029,086

3,676,423

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested, beginning balance

783,609

741,289

503,784

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grants

496,376

589,784

564,589

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,800

Vested

-64,784

-477,664

-271,784

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited

-513,300

-69,800

-55,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested, ending balance

701,901

783,609

741,289

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$38.15

$42.25

$39.40

$35.88

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$35.47

$42.90

$40.76

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$37.79

$38.52

$35.84

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$41.86

$43.04

$38.72

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grants

496,376

589,784

564,589

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,800

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised

2,646,000

29,350,000

8,747,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of restricted stock vested

2,237,000

21,907,000

11,618,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized

$27,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition

'2 years 6 months 0 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'4 years

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Plans_Exercise_Pric

Share-Based Plans - Exercise Price Range (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	3,377,303
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 3 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$34.88
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	1,580,115
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$30.86
10.01 - 20.00 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$10.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	483,603
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'2 years 0 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$17.18
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	483,603
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$17.18
20.01 - 30.00 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$30
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	163,763
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'1 year 3 months 15 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$23.63
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	162,825
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$23.60
30.01 - 40.00 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$30.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$40
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1,571,187
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 1 month 24 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$35.82
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	440,437
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$35.84
40.01 - 50.00 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$40.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$50
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1,158,750
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 6 months 30 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$42.59
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	493,250
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$42.22

ShareBased_Plans_Board_of_Dire

Share-Based Plans - Board of Directors (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--02-01
Nonemployee Board of Directors [Member]	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Fair Value of Shares Issued to Each Individual	100,000
Director Stock Option Plan [Member] | Nonemployee Board of Directors [Member]	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Annual Shares Issued	10,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Vested on First Anniversary	20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Vested on Second Anniversary	60.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Vested on Third Anniversary	100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Term Following Termination of Employment, Death, or Disability	'1 year
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Award Expiration Period From Grant Date	'10 years 1 month
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period	'5 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost - benefits earned in the period	$2,086,000	$2,171,000	$2,211,000
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	3,041,000	3,292,000	3,496,000
Expected investment return on plan assets	-2,893,000	-3,089,000	-4,627,000
Amortization of prior service cost	-34,000	-34,000	-34,000
Amortization of transition obligation	12,000	13,000	13,000
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,692,000	2,345,000	1,796,000
Settlement loss	83,000	298,000	298,000
Net periodic pension cost	3,987,000	4,996,000	3,153,000
Non-cash settlement charges	100,000	300,000	300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount Rate	4.60%	5.00%	5.70%
Rate of Increase in Compensation Levels	3.50%	3.50%	3.90%
Expected Long-term Rate of Return	5.10%	5.50%	8.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount Rate	5.00%	4.60%	'
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.00%	3.50%	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	70,210,000	69,942,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	2,086,000	2,171,000	2,211,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	3,041,000	3,292,000	3,496,000
Change in pension benefit obligation b Benefits and Settlements Paid	-5,035,000	-6,437,000	'
Actuarial loss (gain)	-5,424,000	1,242,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	64,878,000	70,210,000	69,942,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	59,376,000	58,662,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	1,379,000	5,969,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	609,000	1,182,000	'
Change in Plan Assets b Benefit and Settlements Paid	-5,035,000	-6,437,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,329,000	59,376,000	58,662,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-8,549,000	-10,834,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]	'	'	'
Noncurrent Assets	0	0	'
Current Liabilities	-340,000	-361,000	'
Noncurrent Liabilities	-8,209,000	-10,473,000	'
Net Amount Recognized	-8,549,000	-10,834,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Transition Assets (Obligations), before Tax	0	-12,000	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	-56,000	-90,000	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	-14,124,000	-19,808,000	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	-14,068,000	-19,730,000	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year	1,200,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	5,242,000	'	'
2015	5,435,000	'	'
2016	5,438,000	'	'
2017	5,334,000	'	'
2018	5,283,000	'	'
2019 - 2023	25,409,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Liability Hedging Assets	80.00%	'	'
Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Return Seeking Assets	20.00%	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,329,000	59,376,000	58,662,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	5,700,000	5,600,000	5,200,000
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	21,400,000	21,200,000	'
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	5,154,000	6,259,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation	4,643,000	5,080,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	59,376,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,329,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	59,724,000	63,951,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation	54,635,000	57,224,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,329,000	59,376,000	'
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	0	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,329,000	'	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	54,911,000	58,555,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	54,911,000	58,555,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,418,000	821,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Long Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	44,239,000	30,924,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	44,239,000	30,924,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Long Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Long Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	44,239,000	30,924,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	44,239,000	30,924,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Long Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,629,000	3,074,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,629,000	3,074,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | High Yield [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | High Yield [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,629,000	3,074,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,629,000	3,074,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | High Yield [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Intermediate Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	8,000	14,878,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	8,000	14,878,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Intermediate Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Intermediate Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	8,000	14,878,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	8,000	14,878,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Intermediate Credit [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Global Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,623,000	3,244,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,623,000	3,244,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Global Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Global Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,623,000	3,244,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,623,000	3,244,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | Global Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | International Equities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,172,000	2,643,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,172,000	2,643,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,172,000	2,643,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,172,000	2,643,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Equity Index [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,165,000	2,538,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,165,000	2,538,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Equity Index [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Equity Index [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,165,000	2,538,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,165,000	2,538,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Equity Index [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,075,000	1,254,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,075,000	1,254,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,075,000	1,254,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,075,000	1,254,000	'
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] | U.S. Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Information about Plan Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$0	$0	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	$81,159,000	$91,299,000	$106,737,000
U.S. State and Local	14,078,000	13,240,000	16,636,000
Non-U.S.	0	0	0
Total current tax expense	95,237,000	104,539,000	123,373,000
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
U.S. Federal	-31,754,000	10,333,000	9,207,000
U.S. State and Local	-2,365,000	2,049,000	1,255,000
Non-U.S.	0	0	0
Total deferred tax expense	-34,119,000	12,382,000	10,462,000
Income tax provision	61,118,000	116,921,000	133,835,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes	4.00%	3.40%	3.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential	1.90%	0.40%	0.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Impairment Losses, Percent	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credits	-1.30%	-0.30%	-0.40%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Subsidiary, Percent	12.70%	0.00%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	4.20%	1.20%	1.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	0.00%	0.10%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	32.90%	39.80%	39.40%
Income Taxes Paid, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income taxes paid	122,672,000	95,596,000	114,406,000
Income taxes refunded	-551,000	-2,764,000	-983,000
Net income taxes paid	122,121,000	92,832,000	113,423,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Self Insurance	31,483,000	34,118,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Deferred Rent	30,962,000	30,681,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Foreign	24,430,000	22,098,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation	24,505,000	21,351,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Investment in Subsidiaries	23,899,000	0	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory	20,708,000	20,654,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Depreciation and Fixed Asset Basis Differences	12,727,000	11,475,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, State Taxes	7,540,000	6,931,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Other	3,987,000	3,547,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Pensions	3,414,000	4,315,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities	2,585,000	2,325,000	'
Deferred Tax Asset, Parent's Basis in Discontinued Operation	0	1,218,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	26,105,000	23,907,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	-30,013,000	-24,965,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	182,332,000	157,655,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	71,829,000	76,509,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Lease Construction Reimbursements	16,773,000	16,203,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Other Capitalized Costs	6,220,000	6,427,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Insurance Proceeds Receivable	5,121,000	6,922,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Compensation and Benefits	0	2,701,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	17,502,000	13,890,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities	117,445,000	122,652,000	'
Net deferred tax assets	64,887,000	35,003,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current deferred income taxes	59,781,000	37,696,000	'
Noncurrent deferred income taxes	5,106,000	-2,693,000	'
Net deferred tax assets	64,887,000	35,003,000	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	200,000	8,100,000	2,700,000
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	16,019,000	16,755,000	27,250,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	991,000	838,000	2,179,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	1,247,000	1,626,000	616,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	-532,000	-1,928,000	-9,513,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	-4,000	-382,000	-2,581,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	-949,000	-890,000	-1,196,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation	122,000	0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	16,650,000	16,019,000	16,755,000
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	11,000,000	10,800,000	'
Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) on State and Local Income Taxes	5,000,000	4,600,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Tax Positions with Uncertain Timing of Deductability	700,000	700,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-9,100,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Potential Future Reductions Resulting from Expected Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	'	2,000,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting From Refunds Unlikely to be Realized Due to Unfavorable Court Decisions	'	2,200,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations for Work Tax Credits	'	4,900,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	500,000	-700,000	-500,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	5,700,000	5,200,000	'
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	4,000,000	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Increase (Decrease) from Discontinued Operations	1,900,000	-100,000	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Increase (Decrease) from Pension Related Charges Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	-2,300,000	-1,700,000	2,600,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Increase (Decrease) from Goodwill	$100,000	($200,000)	'

Income_Taxes_Carryforwards_Det

Income Taxes - Carryforwards (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 01, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards and Tax Credit Carryforward	$31,130
Foreign Country [Member]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	24,430
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	567
California Enterprise Zone [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	5,865
Texas Business Loss [Member] | State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$268

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	4-May-13
	Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member]	Rivera Matter [Member]	Rivera Matter [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits	3	'	'
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	'	($0.70)	$5.10
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period, Before Post-Judgment Interest	'	'	1.5
Litigation Settlement, Amount	'	($4.40)	'

Contingencies_Commitments_Deta

Contingencies - Commitments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Commitments Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Self-insurance letters of credit	$58.50	'	'
Inventories [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed	464.6	'	'
Purchase Commitment [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed	115.3	'	'
Inventories [Member]	'	'	'
Commitments Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	49	'	'
Long-term Commitments, Purchases	$21.70	$19.90	$28

Acquisition_Details

Acquisition (Details) (Liquidation World, Inc. [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 18, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012
Liquidation World, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	'	18-Jul-11
Payments to Acquire Business	($1.90)	'

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Aug. 03, 2013	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	$13,522	$12,282
Goodwill adjustments	'	'	0	1,191
Foreign currency impact	'	'	-818	49
Impairment Loss	-12,700	0	-12,704	0
Goodwill	0	'	0	13,522
Impairment Loss	($12,700)	$0	($12,704)	$0

Costs_Associated_With_Wind_Dow2

Costs Associated With Wind Down Activities (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2014

Aug. 03, 2013

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Nov. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2014

Nov. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 01, 2014

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

CANADA

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Exit or Disposal Costs [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventory Write-down

'

'

'

'

'

$3,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tangible Asset, Impairment Loss

'

'

7,827,000

984,000

2,242,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tradename Intangible Assets, Impairment Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Impairment Loss

12,700,000

0

12,704,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

2,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contract Termination Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

Charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,290,000

'

1,078,000

'

212,000

'

4,015,000

'

2,739,000

'

'

'

1,276,000

'

'

Adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

-302,000

'

-302,000

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

Payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

-466,000

'

-254,000

'

-212,000

'

-319,000

'

-319,000

'

'

'

0

'

'

Period change

'

'

'

'

'

'

522,000

'

522,000

'

0

'

3,696,000

'

2,420,000

'

'

'

1,276,000

'

'

Restructuring Reserve

'

'

'

'

'

'

522,000

'

522,000

0

0

3,696,000

3,696,000

2,420,000

2,420,000

'

'

1,276,000

1,276,000

'

'

Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

'

'

$28,000,000

$31,000,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

37 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Jan. 28, 2006

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2013

Jan. 28, 2012

Feb. 03, 2007

Dec. 11, 2008

Jan. 14, 2004

Feb. 01, 2014

Feb. 02, 2008

Aug. 04, 2007

Feb. 01, 2014

Jan. 31, 2009

Jan. 30, 2010

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Wholesale [Member]

Closed Stores [Member]

Closed Stores [Member]

Closed Stores [Member]

Closed Stores [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB Toys [Member]

KB-I Bankruptcy [Member]

KB-I Bankruptcy [Member]

KB-I Bankruptcy [Member]

KB-II Bankruptcy [Member]

KB-II Bankruptcy [Member]

KB Corporate Office [Member]

store

store

store

distribution_center

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax

$877,000

$347,000

$1,616,000

($4,371,000)

$423,000

$1,899,000

$0

$2,000

($19,000)

'

$5,248,000

($78,000)

($264,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accrued Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

0

'

'

Number of Stores Closed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Store Leases Rejected that May Be Subject to Indemnification Agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29

226

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Distribution Center Leases Rejected that May Be Subject to Indemnification Agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discontinued Operation, Bankrupty Lease Obligation Accrual Expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$18,100,000

'

'

($2,100,000)

$8,800,000

$2,000,000

($3,100,000)

$5,000,000

$1,200,000

Components_of_Accumulated_Othe2

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	($1,433)	($1,050)	$0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-3,589	-383	-1,050
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation	-3,589	-383	-1,050
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-5,022	-1,433	-1,050
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	-11,897	-14,469	-10,470
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	2,352	989	-5,244
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	1,056	1,583	1,245
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	3,408	2,572	-3,999
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	-8,489	-11,897	-14,469
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-13,330	-15,519	-10,470
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-1,237	606	-6,294
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	1,056	1,583	1,245
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-181	2,189	-5,049
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	($13,511)	($13,330)	($15,519)

Sale_of_Real_Estate_Details

Sale of Real Estate (Details) (CALIFORNIA, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 02, 2013
CALIFORNIA	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]	'
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds	$5.10
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Current Period Gain Recognized	3.6
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	$0.80

Business_Segment_Data_Details

Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	4-May-13	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,636,277	$1,143,221	$1,218,800	$1,303,614	$1,744,583	$1,124,907	$1,211,378	$1,286,297	$5,301,912	$5,367,165	$5,159,249
Depreciation expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	115,122	106,137	90,135
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	190,439	298,031	343,696
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,339	-4,192	-3,530
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,213	51	-173
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	185,887	293,890	339,993
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,118	116,921	133,835
Income (loss) from continuing operations	80,979	-6,929	18,098	32,621	120,139	-6,182	22,193	40,819	124,769	176,969	206,158
Total assets	1,739,599	'	'	'	1,753,626	'	'	'	1,739,599	1,753,626	'
UNITED STATES	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,571,912	1,104,918	1,180,905	1,267,020	'	'	'	'	5,124,755	5,212,318	5,097,144
Depreciation expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	113,228	103,146	88,324
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	229,909	311,724	355,915
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,293	-4,190	-2,739
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12	2	163
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	226,604	307,536	353,339
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,544	117,059	133,835
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	165,060	190,477	219,504
Total assets	1,709,255	'	'	'	1,681,005	'	'	'	1,709,255	1,681,005	'
UNITED STATES | Furniture & Home Decor [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	276,232	246,093	220,798	329,287	'	'	'	'	1,072,410	1,060,993	1,010,007
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	374,316	118,081	247,247	219,037	'	'	'	'	958,681	971,003	982,604
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	246,522	226,420	231,356	213,826	'	'	'	'	918,124	905,444	881,282
UNITED STATES | Food [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	217,624	185,959	167,933	176,324	'	'	'	'	747,840	742,267	723,291
UNITED STATES | Hard Home [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	151,706	121,368	123,461	117,697	'	'	'	'	514,232	543,954	537,092
UNITED STATES | Electronics & Accessories [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	183,844	101,711	93,934	106,842	'	'	'	'	486,331	556,658	550,513
UNITED STATES | Soft Home [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	121,668	105,286	96,176	104,007	'	'	'	'	427,137	431,999	412,355
CANADA	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	64,365	38,303	37,895	36,594	'	'	'	'	177,157	154,847	62,105
Depreciation expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,894	2,991	1,811
Operating profit (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-39,470	-13,693	-12,219
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-46	-2	-791
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,201	49	-336
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40,717	-13,646	-13,346
Income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-426	-138	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40,291	-13,508	-13,346
Total assets	$30,344	'	'	'	$72,621	'	'	'	$30,344	$72,621	'

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2014	Nov. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2013	4-May-13	Feb. 02, 2013	Oct. 27, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2012	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Net sales	$1,636,277	$1,143,221	$1,218,800	$1,303,614	$1,744,583	$1,124,907	$1,211,378	$1,286,297	$5,301,912	$5,367,165	$5,159,249
Gross margin	625,663	445,626	478,283	515,734	693,316	430,934	476,910	511,168	2,065,306	2,112,328	2,063,049
Income (loss) from continuing operations	80,979	-6,929	18,098	32,621	120,139	-6,182	22,193	40,819	124,769	176,969	206,158
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	3,374	-2,588	28	-288	148	195	-118	-73	526	152	906
Net income (loss)	84,353	-9,517	18,126	32,333	120,287	-5,987	22,075	40,746	125,295	177,121	207,064
Continuing operations	$1.41	($0.12)	$0.32	$0.57	$2.10	($0.11)	$0.37	$0.64	$2.17	$2.96	$3.02
Discontinued operations	$0.06	($0.05)	$0	($0.01)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0.01	$0	$0.01
Earnings per common share - basic	$1.47	($0.17)	$0.32	$0.56	$2.10	($0.10)	$0.37	$0.64	$2.18	$2.96	$3.03
Continuing operations	$1.39	($0.12)	$0.31	$0.56	$2.08	($0.11)	$0.36	$0.63	$2.15	$2.93	$2.97
Discontinued operations	$0.06	($0.05)	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0.01	$0	$0.01
Earnings per common share - diluted	$1.45	($0.17)	$0.31	$0.56	$2.09	($0.10)	$0.36	$0.63	$2.16	$2.93	$2.98
UNITED STATES	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,571,912	1,104,918	1,180,905	1,267,020	'	'	'	'	5,124,755	5,212,318	5,097,144
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	165,060	190,477	219,504
UNITED STATES | Furniture & Home Decor [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	276,232	246,093	220,798	329,287	'	'	'	'	1,072,410	1,060,993	1,010,007
UNITED STATES | Seasonal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	374,316	118,081	247,247	219,037	'	'	'	'	958,681	971,003	982,604
UNITED STATES | Consumables [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	246,522	226,420	231,356	213,826	'	'	'	'	918,124	905,444	881,282
UNITED STATES | Food [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	217,624	185,959	167,933	176,324	'	'	'	'	747,840	742,267	723,291
UNITED STATES | Hard Home [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	151,706	121,368	123,461	117,697	'	'	'	'	514,232	543,954	537,092
UNITED STATES | Electronics & Accessories [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	183,844	101,711	93,934	106,842	'	'	'	'	486,331	556,658	550,513
UNITED STATES | Soft Home [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	121,668	105,286	96,176	104,007	'	'	'	'	427,137	431,999	412,355
CANADA	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	64,365	38,303	37,895	36,594	'	'	'	'	177,157	154,847	62,105
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($40,291)	($13,508)	($13,346)

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (Common Stock [Member], 2014 Repurchase Program [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Stock [Member] | 2014 Repurchase Program [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$125,000,000