Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Business Segments Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Data Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Benefit Plans Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Text Block] Revolving Credit Agreement Schedule of Treasury Stock by Class [Text Block] Stock Repurchase Programs Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Retail Related Inventory, Merchandise Merchandise inventories Income Taxes Receivable, Current Federal income tax receivable Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Current portion of long-term debt Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of capital lease obligations Short-term Borrowings Other short-term borrowings Federal and state income taxes including current deferred taxes Accrued Income Taxes, Including Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the unpaid sum of the known and estimated amounts payable to satisfy all currently due domestic and foreign income tax obligations. This element also includes the net amount of deferred tax assets (after reduction for valuation allowance) and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carry forwards pertaining to assets or liabilities that are classified as current in the financial statements, or that are expected to reverse in the next twelve months (or normal operating cycle, if longer. Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Capital lease obligations Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained earnings Retained earnings at beginning of period Retained earnings at end of period Treasury Stock, Value Less treasury stock, at cost Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders' equity Balance Balance Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Sales Revenue, Net Net sales Revenues Total net sales, service charges and other income Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Operating Leases, Rent Expense Rentals Interest and Debt Expense Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Asset impairment and store closing charges Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes and income on and equity in losses of joint ventures Income taxes (benefit) Income taxes Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income Net income Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Cash dividends declared Common stock, $0.16 per share Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating activities: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Decrease in accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Decrease in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities Increase in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses, other liabilities and income taxes Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing activities: Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisition, net of cash acquired Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing activities: Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt (Decrease) increase in short-term borrowings Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Cash dividends paid Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury stock Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Non-cash transactions: Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Accrued capital expenditures Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Common stock, Class A Common stock, Class B (convertible) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Gain on disposal of property and equipment Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Gain on repurchase of debt Loss on disposal of hurricane assets Loss from Catastrophes Payment of Line of Credit Fees and Expenses Payment on line of credit fees and expenses The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated line of credit. Asset Impairment and Store Closing Charges Asset Impairment and Store Closing Charges Disclosure [Text Block] For long-lived assets to be held and used by an entity, disclosures may include a description of the impaired long-lived asset and facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, amount of the impairment loss and where the loss is located in the income statement, method(s) for determining fair value, and the segment in which the impaired long-lived asset is reported. This element also includes store closing costs such as the accrual of rent and property taxes, write-downs of property and equipment and other costs associated with restructuring activities. Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Standards Selling, General and Administrative Expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization Stock Issued Stock awards Includes income generated through a long-term marketing and servicing alliance with a consumer financing company, rental income, shipping and handling fees, lease income on leased departments and other miscellaneous income. Service charges and other income Service Charges and Other Income Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization of property and deferred financing Fair Value of Assets Acquired Property and equipment financed by note payable Property, Plant and Equipment, Schedule of Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Text Block] Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Text Block] Note Repurchase Accounts receivable Receivables, Net, Current Subordinated debentures Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer), excluding current portion. Subordinated debt places a lender in a lien position behind the primary lender of the company. All of these subordinated debentures were held by a 100% owned, unconsolidated finance subsidiary of the company. Subordinated Debentures Advertising, selling, administrative and general expenses The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses, excluding rent. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, utilities, communication, etc. Advertising, Selling Administrative and General Expenses Interest and debt expense, net Interest income, interest expense and other debt related expenses associated with nonoperating activities of the entity, net. Interest and Debt Expense, Net Statement [Line Items] Statement Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from stock issuance Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Decrease (increase) in federal income tax receivable Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets (Increase) decrease in other current assets The net change during the reporting period in other current assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy. Increase (Decrease) in Trade Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of liabilities that result from activities that generate operating income, excluding income taxes payable. Increase in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities Basis of Presentation Business Segments Stock-Based Compensation Asset Impairment and Store Closing Charges Earnings Per Share Data Comprehensive Income Commitments and Contingencies Benefit Plans Recently Issued Accounting Standards Revolving Credit Agreement Stock Repurchase Programs Income Taxes Note Repurchase Fair Value Disclosures Increase in merchandise inventories Increase (Decrease) in Retail Related Inventories Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and contingencies Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable Increase Decrease in Accrued Income Taxes Including Deferred Tax Liabilities The net change during the period in the amount of cash payments due to taxing authorities for taxes that are based on the reporting entity's earnings and the net change during the reporting period in temporary differences that results from income (loss) that is recognized for accounting purposes but not for tax purposes and vice versa. Capital lease transactions Capital Lease Obligations Incurred Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Property and equipment: Land Land and land improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Buildings and leasehold improvements Furniture and Fixtures, Gross Furniture, fixtures and equipment Construction in Progress, Gross Buildings under construction Capital Leased Assets, Gross Buildings and equipment under capital leases Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock, at cost, Class A, shares Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Deferred income taxes Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities Proceeds from hurricane insurance Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities Proceeds from hurricane insurance Sale Of Property Financed by Note Receivable Sale of property financed by note receivable This element represents the value of property sold against notes receivable during the reporting period by the entity. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Amortization of retirement plan and other retiree benefit adjustments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $2,579, $3,132 and $3,082 during the year 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, Net of Tax Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Issuance of 786,768, 377,461 and 114,813 shares under stock option and stock bonus plans during the year 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Purchase of 14,641,705 shares of treasury stock in 2010 and 1,826,600 shares of treasury stock in 2008 Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Cash dividends declared: Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Amortization of retirement plan and other retiree benefit adjustments, tax benefit (expense) (in dollars) Other Comprehensive Income, Amortization of Defined Benefit Plan Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Pension Cost, Tax Issuance of shares under stock bonus plans, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation Purchase shares of treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Comprehensive income (loss). Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] The entire disclosure for the general note to the financial statements for the reporting entity which may include, descriptions of the basis of presentation, business description, significant accounting policies, consolidations, reclassifications, new pronouncements not yet adopted and changes in accounting principles. Acquisition Acquisition Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill. Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Trade Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Trade Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Subordinated Debentures. Subordinated Debentures Subordinated Debentures [Text Block] This element represents details of subordinated debentures in one text block. Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Insurance Proceeds Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Gain from hurricane insurance proceeds Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery Insurance Proceeds Schedule of Business Insurance Recoveries [Text Block] Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Gain on repurchase of debt Investment in joint venture Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Income on Joint Venture Income on Joint Venture EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Amendment Description Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Income on Joint Venture Proceeds from Joint Venture Distributions Distribution from joint venture This item represents disclosure of the amount of other distributions received from certain corporate joint ventures; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element includes distributions that constitute a return of investment. Income on and equity in losses of Joint Ventures Income on and equity in losses of joint ventures This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Such amount typically reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment. This item also includes the portion of the distribution from joint ventures representing a return of capital in excess of the carrying value of the joint venture. Income On Joint Venture Disclosure [TextBlock] Income on Joint Venture This item includes the portion of the distribution from joint ventures representing a return of capital in excess of the carrying value of the joint venture.