Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Feb. 02, 2019 USD ($) shares
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Cato Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0000018255
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	CY
Entity Public Float \| $	$ 557,163,226
EntityEmergingGrowthCompany	false
EntitySmallBusiness	false
EntityShellCompany	false
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number)	22,838,149
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (actual number)	1,763,652

Condensed Consolidated Income Statements Of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Revenues
Retail sales	$ 821,113,000	$ 841,997,000	$ 947,370,000
Other income (principally finance charges, late fees and layaway charges)	8,551,000	7,984,000	9,199,000
Total revenues	829,664,000	849,981,000	956,569,000
COSTS AND EXPENSES, NET
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation shown below)	522,535,000	553,058,000	601,985,000
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation shown below)	262,510,000	266,304,000	289,619,000
Depreciation	16,463,000	19,643,000	22,716,000
Interest Expense	96,000	114,000	176,000
Interest and other income	4,991,000	5,111,000	7,041,000
Cost and expenses, net	796,613,000	834,008,000	907,455,000
Income before income taxes	33,051,000	15,973,000	49,114,000
Income tax expense	2,590,000	7,433,000	1,902,000
Net income	$ 30,461,000	$ 8,540,000	$ 47,212,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.23	$ 0.34	$ 1.72
Diluted earnings per share	1.23	0.34	1.72
Dividends per share	$ 1.32	$ 1.32	$ 1.29
Comprehensive income
Net income	$ 30,461,000	$ 8,540,000	$ 47,212,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	(244,000)	107,000	1,014,000
Comprehensive income	$ 30,705,000	$ 8,433,000	$ 46,198,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 24,603,000	$ 78,047,000
Short-term investments	182,711,000	118,836,000
Restricted Cash	606,000	3,217,000
Restricted short term investments	3,196,000	505,000
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	28,137,000	28,018,000
Merchandise inventories	119,585,000	121,535,000
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses	11,750,000	22,322,000
Total Current Assets	370,588,000	372,480,000
Property and equipment - net	94,304,000	109,368,000
Noncurrent deferred tax asset	11,209,000	12,570,000
Other assets	21,805,000	21,658,000
Total Assets	497,906,000	516,076,000
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	84,282,000	82,605,000
Accrued expenses	45,658,000	52,825,000
Accrued bonus and benefits	11,146,000	2,971,000
Accrued income taxes	0	680,000
Total Current Liabilities	141,086,000	139,081,000
Deferred tax liabilities noncurrent	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities (primarily deferred rent)	39,984,000	50,642,000
Commitments And Contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $100 par value per share, 100,000 shares authorized, none issued	0	0
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock	826,000	832,000
Additional paid-in capital	105,580,000	99,948,000
Retained earnings	210,507,000	225,894,000
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	(77,000)	(321,000)
Total Stockholders' Equity	316,836,000	326,353,000
Liabilities And Stockholders Equity	497,906,000	516,076,000
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock	767,000	774,000
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock	$ 59,000	$ 58,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current	$ 842,000	$ 1,148,000
Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 100	$ 100,000
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred Stock Shares Issued	0	0
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Shares Authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	1,763,652	1,755,601
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.033	$ 0.033
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock Shares Authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common Stock Shares Issued	22,838,149	23,045,039
Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.033	$ 0.033

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 30,461,000	$ 8,540,000	$ 47,212,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	16,463,000	19,643,000	22,716,000
Provision For Doubtful Accounts	470,000	690,000	832,000
Purchase premium and premium amortization	576,000	3,834,000	783,000
Share Based Compensation	4,939,000	4,196,000	4,199,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	0	40,000
Deferred income taxes	1,285,000	1,176,000	(2,884,000)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	1,089,000	2,127,000	2,060,000
Impairment	1,548,000	7,698,000	13,561,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash:
Accounts receivable	(579,000)	1,780,000	5,442,000
Merchandise inventories	1,950,000	24,147,000	(4,581,000)
Prepaid and other assets	10,384,000	(7,459,000)	(9,877,000)
Accrued income taxes	(680,000)	(1,602,000)	879,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(7,662,000)	(28,780,000)	(8,254,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	60,244,000	35,990,000	72,128,000
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(4,354,000)	(11,096,000)	(27,297,000)
Purchase of short-term investments	(157,515,000)	(15,770,000)	(113,031,000)
Sales of short-term investments	91,023,000	95,203,000	125,186,000
Purchase of Other Assets	(298,000)	(657,000)	(290,000)
Sales Of Other Assets	(7,000)	(6,000)	0
Change in restricted cash and investments	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(71,137,000)	67,686,000	(15,432,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid	(32,577,000)	(33,731,000)	(35,432,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(13,344,000)	(38,878,000)	(42,564,000)
Proceeds from lines of credit	0	21,000,000	29,500,000
Payments to lines of credit	0	(21,000,000)	(29,500,000)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	570,000	484,000	501,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation financing activities	0	0	(40,000)
Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised	189,000	95,000	230,000
Net cash provided used in financing activities	(45,162,000)	(72,030,000)	(77,305,000)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(56,055,000)	31,646,000	(20,609,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	78,047,000	49,618,000
Effect of Exchange Rate On Cash	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	24,603,000	78,047,000	49,618,000
Change in Accrued PPE	326,000	634,000	1,099,000
Change in Accrued Treasury Stock	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,853,000

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)	Total	Class A Common Stock	Convertible Class B Common Stock	Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at Jan. 30, 2016		$ 877,000	$ 58,000	$ 90,336,000	$ 320,594,000	$ 800,000
Net income	$ 47,212,000	0	0	0	47,212,000	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	1,014,000	0	0	0	0	(1,014,000)
Dividends		0	0	0	(35,432,000)	0
Class A common stock sold through employee stock purchase plan		1,000	0	590,000	0	0
Class A common stock sold through stock option plans		0	0	248,000	0	0
Class A common stock issued through restricted stock grant plans		3,000	0	4,073,000	15,000	0
Windfall tax benefit from equity compensation plans		0	0	(40,000)	0	0
Retirement of treasury sharess		(44,000)	0	0	(44,374,000)	0
Balance at Jan. 28, 2017		837,000	58,000	95,207,000	288,015,000	(214,000)
Net income	8,540,000	0	0	0	8,540,000	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	107,000	0	0	0	0	(107,000)
Dividends		0	0	0	(33,731,000)	0
Class A common stock sold through employee stock purchase plan		1,000	0	569,000	0	0
Class A common stock sold through stock option plans		0	0	112,000	0	0
Class A common stock issued through restricted stock grant plans		6,000	0	4,060,000	27,000	0
Windfall tax benefit from equity compensation plans		0	0	0	0	0
Retirement of treasury sharess		(70,000)	0	0	(36,957,000)	0
Balance at Feb. 03, 2018		774,000	58,000	99,948,000	225,894,000	(321,000)
Net income	30,461,000	0	0	0	30,461,000	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	$ (244,000)	0	0	0	0	244,000
Dividends		0	0	0	(32,577,000)	0
Class A common stock sold through employee stock purchase plan		2,000	0	669,000	0	0
Class A common stock sold through stock option plans		0	1,000	194,000	0	0
Class A common stock issued through restricted stock grant plans		11,000	0	4,769,000	54,000	0
Windfall tax benefit from equity compensation plans		0	0	0	0	0
Retirement of treasury sharess		(20,000)	0	0	(13,325,000)	0
Balance at Feb. 02, 2019		$ 767,000	$ 59,000	$ 105,580,000	$ 210,507,000	$ (77,000)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract
Tax Effect of Unrealized Gains (Losses) On Available-For-Sale Securities	$ 77,000	$ 28,000	$ (608,000)
Stock Transactions, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Dividends per share	$ 1.32	$ 1.32	$ 1.29
Class A common stock shares sold through employee stock purchase plans	44,770	34,238	17,455
Exercised	8,051	4,025
Class A common stock shares issued through restricted stock grant plans	341,744	169,907	96,465
Retirement of treasury shares - retired shares	593,404	2,082,535	1,320,182

Short-term and Other Investments

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

InvestmentsDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAbstract

Short-Term and Other Investments

3. Short-Term Investments:

At February 2, 2019, the Company’s investment portfolio was primarily invested in governmental debt securities held in managed accounts. These securities are classified as available-for-sale as they are highly liquid and are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and temporary losses reported net of taxes in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

The table below reflects gross accumulated unrealized gains (losses) in short-term investments at February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 (in thousands):

		February 2, 2019						February 3, 2018
	Debt securities						Debt securities
	issued by the U.S						issued by the U.S
	Government, its various						Government, its various
	States, municipalities		Corporate				States, municipalities		Corporate
	and agencies		debt				and agencies		debt
	of each		securities		Total		of each		securities		Total
Cost basis	]	71,953	$	114,372	$	186,325	$	96,701	$	23,079	$	119,780
Unrealized gains		-		-		-		-		-		-
Unrealized (loss)		(371)		(147)		(518)		(718)		(226)		(944)
Estimated fair value	$	71,582	$	114,225	$	185,807	$	95,983	$	22,853	$	118,836

Accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflects the accumulated unrealized net gains in short-term investments in addition to unrealized gains from equity investments and restricted cash investments. The table below reflects gross accumulated unrealized gains in these investments at February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 (in thousands)

	February 2, 2019						February 3, 2018

			Deferred		Unrealized				Deferred		Unrealized
	Unrealized		Tax		Net Gain/		Unrealized		Tax		Net Gain/
Security Type	Gain/(Loss)		Benefit		(Loss)		Gain/(Loss)		Benefit		(Loss)
Short-Term Investments	$	(518)	$	121	$	(397)	$	(945)	$	225	$	(720)
Equity Investments		417		(97)		320		524		(125)		399
Total	$	(101)	$	24	$	(77)	$	(421)	$	100	$	(321)

Fair Value Measurements - Notes to Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

FairValue Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures Text Block

4. Fair Value Measurements:

The following tables set forth information regarding the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value as of February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 (in thousands):

			Prices in
			Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	February 2, 2019		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	February 2, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
State/Municipal Bonds	$	54,346	$	-	$	54,346	$	-
Corporate Bonds		90,891		-		90,891		-
U.S. Treasury/Agencies Notes and Bonds		17,236		-		17,236		-
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		9,093		-		-		9,093
Asset-backed Securities (ABS)		23,334		-		23,334		-
Corporate Equities		690		690		-		-
Certificates of Deposit		101		101		-		-
Total Assets	$	195,691	$	791	$	185,807	$	9,093

Liabilities:
Deferred Compensation		(8,908)		-		-		(8,908)
Total Liabilities	$	(8,908)	$	-	$	-	$	(8,908)




			Prices in
			Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	February 3, 2018		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	February 3, 2018		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
State/Municipal Bonds	$	95,983	$	-	$	95,983	$	-
Corporate Bonds		22,535		-		22,535		-
U.S. Treasury/Agencies Notes and Bonds		404		404		-		-
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		8,900		-		-		8,900
Asset-backed Securities (ABS)		318		-		318		-
Corporate Equities		798		798		-		-
Certificates of Deposit		100		100		-		-
Total Assets	$	129,038	$	1,302	$	118,836	$	8,900

Liabilities:
Deferred Compensation		(8,951)		-		-		(8,951)
Total Liabilities	$	(8,951)	$	-	$	-	$	(8,951)

The Company’s investment portfolio was primarily invested in corporate bonds and tax-exempt and taxable governmental debt securities held in managed accounts with underlying ratings of A or better at February 2, 2019. The state, municipal and corporate bonds and asset-backed securities have contractual maturities which range from 1 month to 28.4 years. The U.S. Treasury Notes and Certificates of Deposit have contractual maturities which range from 1 month to 1 month. These securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded as Short-term investments, Restricted cash and short-term investments and Other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported net of taxes in Accumulated other comprehensive income. The asset-backed securities are bonds comprised of auto loans and bank credit cards that carry AAA ratings. The auto loan asset-backed securities are backed by static pools of auto loans that were originated and serviced by captive auto finance units, banks or finance companies. The bank credit card asset-backed securities are backed by revolving pools of credit card receivables generated by account holders of cards from American Express, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Discover.

Additionally, at February 2, 2019, the Company had $0.7 million of corporate equities, which are recorded within Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At February 3, 2018, the Company had $0.8 million of corporate equities, which are recorded within Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Level 1 category securities are measured at fair value using quoted active market prices. Level 2 investment securities include corporate and municipal bonds for which quoted prices may not be available on active exchanges for identical instruments. Their fair value is principally based on market values determined by management with assistance of a third-party pricing service. Since quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are not available, these prices are determined by the pricing service using observable market information such as quotes from less active markets and/or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, among other factors.

Deferred compensation plan assets consist primarily of life insurance policies. These life insurance policies are valued based on the cash surrender value of the insurance contract, which is determined based on such factors as the fair value of the underlying assets and discounted cash flow and are therefore classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The Level 3 liability associated with the life insurance policies represents a deferred compensation obligation, the value of which is tracked via underlying insurance funds’ net asset values, as recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These funds are designed to mirror the return of existing mutual funds and money market funds that are observable and actively traded.

The following tables summarize the change in fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured using Level 3 inputs as of February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 (in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Asset Inputs (Level 3)
	Other
	Investments		Cash
	Private Equity		Surrender Value
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018	$	-	$	8,900
Additions		-		596
Total gains or (losses)
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		-		(403)
Ending Balance at February 2, 2019	$	-	$	9,093


	Fair Value
	Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable
	Liability Inputs (Level 3)
	Deferred
	Compensation
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018	$	(8,951)
Additions		(105)
Total (gains) or losses
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		148
Ending Balance at February 2, 2019	$	(8,908)


	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Asset Inputs (Level 3)
	Other
	Investments		Cash
	Private Equity		Surrender Value
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017	$	-	$	7,973
Additions		-		307
Total gains or (losses)
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		-		620
Ending Balance at February 3, 2018	$	-	$	8,900


	Fair Value
	Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable
	Liability Inputs (Level 3)
	Deferred
	Compensation
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017	$	(7,649)
Additions		(443)
Total (gains) or losses
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		(859)
Ending Balance at February 3, 2018	$	(8,951)

Financing Arrangements - Notes to Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
Financing Arrangements - Notes to Financial Statements	Feb. 02, 2019
Financing Arrangements [Abstract]
Financing Arrangements	8. Financing Arrangements As of February 2, 2019, the Company had an unsecured revolving credit agreement to borrow $35.0 million less the balance of any revocable credits discussed below. The revolving credit agreement is committed until August 2019. The credit agreement contains various financial covenants and limitations, including the maintenance of specific financial ratios with which the Company was in compliance as of February 2, 2019. There were no borrowings outstanding under this credit facility as of February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 or January 28, 2017. At February 2, 2019, the weighted average interest rate under the credit facility was zero due to no borrowings outstanding at the end of the year. At February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, the Company had no outstanding revocable letters of credit relating to purchase commitments.

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Feb. 02, 2019
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteAbstract
Stockholders' Equity	9. Stockholders’ Equity: The holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share, whereas the holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Each share of Class B Common Stock may be converted at any time into one share of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of Preferred Stock that may be outstanding at the time, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive a preferential distribution of $1.00 per share of the net assets of the Company. Cash dividends on the Class B Common Stock cannot be paid unless cash dividends of at least an equal amount are paid on the Class A Common Stock. The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that shares of Class B Common Stock may be transferred only to certain “Permitted Transferees” consisting generally of the lineal descendants of holders of Class B Common Stock, trusts for their benefit, corporations and partnerships controlled by them and the Company’s employee benefit plans. Any transfer of Class B Common Stock in violation of these restrictions, including a transfer to the Company, results in the automatic conversion of the transferred shares of Class B Common Stock held by the transferee into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock. On March 26, 2019, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Notes to Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Policies In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” that supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance and modifies the accounting treatment for certain costs associated with revenue generation. The core principle of the revised revenue recognition standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good or services, and provides several steps to apply to achieve that principle. In addition, the new guidance enhances disclosure requirements to include more information about specific revenue contracts entered into by the entity. Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018 the Company adopted this new standard. The Company has elected the modified retrospective approach to transition to Topic 606. As required by this expedient, the Company assessed its open contracts with customers at February 3, 2018 to determine the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard. The Company concluded that the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard is not material. In addition, the Company assessed the financial line items impacted by adopting this standard compared to the previous revenue guidance. The Company concluded that any differences in financial statement line items are not material. Please refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for disclosures related to this adoption. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)." This standard requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 using the retrospective transition method. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Feb. 02, 2019
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	10. Employee Benefit Plans: The Company has a defined contribution retirement savings plan (“401(k) plan”) which covers all associates who meet minimum age and service requirements. The 401(k) plan allows participants to contribute up to 75% of their annual compensation up to the maximum elective deferral, designated by the IRS. The Company is obligated to make a minimum contribution to cover plan administrative expenses. Further Company contributions are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company’s contributions for the years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 were approximately $1,442,000, $1,207,000 and $1,234,000, respectively. The Company has a trusteed, non-contributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), which covers substantially all associates who meet minimum age and service requirements. The amount of the Company’s discretionary contribution to the ESOP is determined annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and can be made in Company Class A Common stock or cash. The Company has chosen to contribute cash and the plan purchases stock on the open market consistent with prior years. The Committee approved a contribution of approximately $1,229,000 for the year ended February 2, 2019. The Company’s contribution was $1,026,000 and $689,000 for the years ended February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively. The Company is primarily self-insured for healthcare. These costs are significant primarily due to the large number of the Company’s retail locations and associates. The Company’s self-insurance liabilities are based on the total estimated costs of claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported, less amounts paid against such claims. Management reviews current and historical claims data in developing its estimates. If the underlying facts and circumstances of the claims change or the historical trend is not indicative of future trends, then the Company may be required to record additional expense or a reduction to expense which could be material to the Company’s reported financial condition and results of operations. The Company funds healthcare contributions to a third-party provider.

Leases

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

LeasesOperatingAbstract

Leases

11. Leases:

The Company has operating lease arrangements for store facilities and equipment. Facility leases generally are at a fixed rate for periods of five years with renewal options. For leases with landlord capital improvement funding, the funded amount is recorded as a deferred liability and amortized over the term of the lease as a reduction to rent expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Equipment leases are generally for one-to three-year periods.

The minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are (in thousands):


Fiscal Year

2019	$	69,601
2020		51,943
2021		35,196
2022		21,242
2023		12,986
Thereafter		2,643
Total minimum lease payments	$	193,611

The following schedule shows the composition of total rental expense for all leases (in thousands):

	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Minimum rentals	$	69,871	$	70,971	$	70,681
Contingent rent		1		-		3
Total rental expense	$	69,872	$	70,971	$	70,684

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

12. Income Taxes:

Unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, primarily recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities, are established in accordance with ASC 740 when, despite the fact that the tax return positions are supportable, the Company believes these positions may be challenged and the results are uncertain. The Company adjusts these liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances. As of February 2, 2019, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $8.5 million, of which approximately $10.6 million (inclusive of interest) would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company had approximately $3.2 million, $2.8 million and $4.1 million of interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions as of February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to the resolution of uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The Company recognized $1,023,000, $986,000 and $716,000 of interest and penalties in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2015. In state and local tax jurisdictions, the Company has limited exposure before 2008. During the next 12 months, various state and local taxing authorities’ statutes of limitations will expire and certain state examinations may close, which could result in a potential reduction of unrecognized tax benefits for which a range cannot be determined.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):


	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Balances, beginning	$	9,531	$	10,668	$	9,560
Additions for tax positions of the current year		420		2,537		2,618
Reduction for tax positions of prior years for:
Changes in judgment		-		(1,209)		-
Settlements during the period		(419)		(390)		(328)
Lapses of applicable statutes of limitations		(1,047)		(2,075)		(1,182)
Balances, ending	$	8,485	$	9,531	$	10,668

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Current income taxes:
Federal	$	281	$	1,726	$	(411)
State		(359)		1,401		873
Foreign		1,371		1,952		2,053
Total		1,293		5,079		2,515
Deferred income taxes:
Federal		2,064		3,816		45
State		(767)		(1,462)		(644)
Foreign		-		-		(14)
Total		1,297		2,354		(613)
Total income tax expense	$	2,590	$	7,433	$	1,902

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

				February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	180	$	198
	Inventory valuation			1,604		1,758
	Non-deductible accrued liabilities			1,589		3,248
	Other taxes			1,133		1,152
	Federal benefit of uncertain tax positions			1,111		1,268
	Equity compensation expense			4,242		4,321
	Net Operating Losses			1,484		851
	Charitable contribution carryover			1,568		2,041
	State Tax Credits			1,150		789
	Other			1,242		1,188
		Total deferred tax assets		15,303		16,814
Deferred tax liabilities
	Property and equipment			1,529		1,859
	Deferred lease liability			1,977		1,191
	Accrued self-insurance reserves			481		1,043
	Other			107		151
		Total deferred tax liabilities		4,094		4,244
Net deferred tax assets			$	11,209	$	12,570

As of February 2, 2019, the Company’s position is that its overseas subsidiaries will not invest undistributed earnings indefinitely. Future unremitted earnings when distributed are expected to be either distributions of GILTI-previously taxed income or eligible for a 100% dividends received deduction. The withholding tax rate on any unremitted earnings is zero and state income taxes on such earnings are considered immaterial. Therefore, the Company has not provided deferred U.S. income taxes on approximately $7.1 million of earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries.

The reconciliation of the Company’s effective income tax rate with the statutory rate is as follows:

	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Federal income tax rate	21.0	%	33.7	%	35.0	%
State income taxes	1.1		(4.7)		(0.2)
Global Intangible Low-taxed Income	6.2		-		-
Foreign Tax Credit	(4.0)		-		-
Foreign rate differential	(2.6)		(28.8)		(9.3)
Offshore Claim	(5.7)		(15.6)		(4.1)
Deemed Repatriation	-		38.6		-
Work Opportunity Credit	(3.4)		(6.0)		(3.4)
Addback on Wage Related Credits	0.7		2.0		1.2
Tax exempt interest	(2.4)		(4.4)		(1.6)
Charitable contribution of inventory	-		(1.0)		(13.1)
Uncertain tax positions	(1.5)		(4.4)		2.4
Deferred rate change	(2.0)		39.2		-
Other	0.4		(2.1)		(3.0)
Effective income tax rate	7.8	%	46.5	%	3.9	%

The Tax Act enacted in fiscal 2017 significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law by, among other things, reducing the corporate income tax rate to 21% and implementing a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. In response to the Tax Act, the SEC issued SAB 118, which allows issuers to recognize provisional estimates of the impact of the Tax Act in their financial statements and adjust in the period in which the estimate becomes finalized, or in circumstances where estimates cannot be made, to disclose and recognize within a one-year measurement period. As of February 2, 2019, the accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act has been completed.

Implementation of the Tax Act during 2017 resulted in an approximate $6.2 million charge for the revaluation of the Company’s net domestic deferred tax assets and a one-time provisional transition tax charge of approximately $6.1 million, of which $5.7 million was recorded in non-current liabilities in fiscal 2017. As of February 2, 2019, the Company has finalized these amounts. The finalization of the revaluation of the Company’s net domestic deferred tax assets resulted in a $.5 million benefit included as a component of its current year provision for income taxes and the non-current liability associated with the one-time transition tax charge was extinguished in 2018.

Reportable Segment Information - Notes to Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Reportable Segment Information [Abstract]

Reportable Segment Information

14. Reportable Segment Information

The Company has determined that it has four operating segments, as defined under ASC 280-10, including Cato, It’s Fashion, Versona and Credit. As outlined in ASC 280-10, the Company has two reportable segments: Retail and Credit. The Company has aggregated its three retail operating segments, including e-commerce, based on the aggregation criteria outlined in ASC 280-10, which states that two or more operating segments may be aggregated into a single reportable segment if aggregation is consistent with the objective and basic principles of ASC 280-10, which require the segments have similar economic characteristics, products, production processes, clients and methods of distribution.

The Company’s retail operating segments have similar economic characteristics and similar operating, financial and competitive risks. They are similar in terms of product offered, as they all offer women’s apparel, shoes and accessories. Merchandise inventory of the Company’s retail operating segments is sourced from the same countries and some of the same vendors, using similar production processes. Merchandise for the Company’s retail operating segments is distributed to retail stores in a similar manner through the Company’s single distribution center and is subsequently distributed to clients in a similar manner.

The Company offers its own credit card to its customers and all credit authorizations, payment processing, and collection efforts are performed by a separate subsidiary of the Company.

The following schedule summarizes certain segment information (in thousands):


Fiscal 2018		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	825,850	$	3,814	$	829,664
Depreciation		16,441		22		16,463
Interest and other income		4,991		-		4,991
Income before taxes		31,149		1,902		33,051
Capital expenditures		4,315		39		4,354


Fiscal 2017		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	845,759	$	4,222	$	849,981
Depreciation		19,604		39		19,643
Interest and other income		5,111		-		5,111
Income before taxes		14,762		1,211		15,973
Capital expenditures		11,047		49		11,096


Fiscal 2016		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	951,663	$	4,906	$	956,569
Depreciation		22,667		49		22,716
Interest and other income		7,041		-		7,041
Income before taxes		47,447		1,667		49,114
Capital expenditures		27,248		49		27,297

		Retail		Credit		Total

Total assets as of February 2, 2019	$	454,143	$	43,763	$	497,906
Total assets as of February 3, 2018		469,652		46,424		516,076

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1. The Company evaluates performance based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes. The Company does not allocate certain corporate expenses to the credit segment.

The following schedule summarizes the direct expenses of the credit segment which are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses (in thousands):


		February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017

Bad debt expense	$	-	$	690	$	832
Payroll		749		861		865
Postage		506		546		635
Other expenses		635		875		858
Total expenses	$	1,890	$	2,972	$	3,190

Stock Based Compensation - Notes to Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Stock Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock Based Compensation

15. Stock Based Compensation:

As of February 2, 2019, the Company had four long-term compensation plans pursuant to which stock-based compensation was outstanding or could be granted. The Company’s 1987 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan is for the granting of options to officers and key employees. As of February 2, 2019, there were no available stock options for grant. The 2018 Incentive Compensation Plan, 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2004 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan are for the granting of various forms of equity-based awards, including restricted stock and stock options for grant, to officers, directors and key employees. Effective May 24, 2018 and May 23, 2013, shares for grant were no longer available under the 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2004 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan, respectively.

The following table presents the number of options and shares of restricted stock initially authorized and available for grant under each of the plans as of February 2, 2019:

	1987	2004	2013	2018
	Plan	Plan	Plan	Plan	Total
Options and/or restricted stock initially authorized	5,850,000	1,350,000	1,500,000	4,725,000	13,425,000
Options and/or restricted stock available for grant:
February 3, 2018	-	-	856,473	-	856,473
February 2, 2019	-	-	-	4,514,151	4,514,151

In accordance with ASC 718, the fair value of current restricted stock awards is estimated on the date of grant based on the market price of the Company’s stock and is amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over a five-year vesting period. As of February 2, 2019, there was $11,989,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 2.2 years. The total grant date fair value of the shares recognized as compensation expense during the twelve months ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 was $4,833,000, $4,093,000 and $4,091,000, respectively. The expenses are classified as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

The following summary shows the changes in the shares of unvested restricted stock outstanding during the years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017:

			Weighted Average
	Number of		Grant Date Fair
	Shares		Value Per Share
Restricted stock awards at January 30, 2016	576,676	$	29.71
Granted	148,591		36.83
Vested	(103,808)		25.19
Forfeited or expired	(60,136)		31.68

Restricted stock awards at January 28, 2017	561,323	$	32.22
Granted	191,919		22.44
Vested	(125,761)		26.40
Forfeited or expired	(32,302)		31.52

Restricted stock awards at February 3, 2018	595,179	$	30.33
Granted	354,385		16.20
Vested	(139,669)		29.87
Forfeited or expired	(38,044)		24.34

Restricted stock awards at February 2, 2019	771,851	$	24.22

The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows eligible full-time employees to purchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock during each semi-annual offering period at a 15% discount through payroll deductions. During the twelve month period ended February 2, 2019, the Company sold 44,770 shares to employees at an average discount of $2.25 per share under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The compensation expense recognized for the 15% discount given under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approximately $101,000, $86,000 and $88,000 for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These expenses are classified as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses.

The following is a summary of changes in stock options outstanding during the year ended February 2, 2019:

				Weighted
			Weighted	Average
			Average	Remaining		Aggregate
			Exercise	Contractual		Intrinsic
	Shares		Price	Term		Value (a)
Options outstanding at February 3, 2018	8,051	$	23.56	5.25 years	$	-
Granted	-		-
Forfeited or expired	-
Exercised	(8,051)		-
Outstanding at February 2, 2019	-	$	-	0 years	$	-
Vested and exercisable at February 2, 2019	-	$	-	0 years	$	-

(a) The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

No options were granted in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016. The Company utilizes the Black–Scholes method to estimate the fair value of share based payments.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 were $5,000, $0 and $109,000, respectively.

The stock option expense was $4,000, $17,000 and $17,000 for the twelve months ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

Stock option awards outstanding under the Company’s current plans were granted at exercise prices which were equal to the market value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, vest over five years, and expire no later than ten years after the grant date.

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Feb. 02, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies: The Company is, from time to time, involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business, including litigation regarding the merchandise that we sell, litigation regarding intellectual property, litigation instituted by persons injured upon premises under our control, litigation with respect to various employment matters, including alleged discrimination and wage and hour litigation, and litigation with present or former employees. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company favorably settled certain litigation matters, which are reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Although such litigation is routine and incidental to the conduct of our business, as with any business of our size with a significant number of employees and significant merchandise sales, such litigation could result in large monetary awards. Based on information currently available, management does not believe that any reasonably possible losses arising from current pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, given the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, an adverse outcome in one or more such matters could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in any particular reporting period. The Company accrues for these matters when the liability is deemed probable and reasonably estimable.

Changes In Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdisclosure[Abstract]

Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelosstextblock

17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:

The following table sets forth information regarding the reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands) as of February 2, 2019:

	Changes in Accumulated Other
	Comprehensive Income (a)
			Unrealized Gains
			and (Losses) on
			Available-for-Sale
			Securities
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018		$	(321)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassification			278

Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income (b)			(34)

Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)			244

Ending Balance at February 2, 2019		$	(77)

(a) All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
(b) Includes ($45) impact of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into Interest and other income for net gains on available-for-sale securities. The tax impact of this reclassification was ($11). Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.

The following table sets forth information regarding the reclassification out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands) as of February 3, 2018:

	Changes in Accumulated Other
	Comprehensive Income (a)
			Unrealized Gains
			and (Losses) on
			Available-for-Sale
			Securities
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017		$	(214)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassification			(135)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income (b)			28

Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)			(107)

Ending Balance at February 3, 2018		$	(321)

(a) All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.
(b) Includes ($36) impact of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into Interest and other income for net gains on available-for-sale securities. The tax impact of this reclassification was ($9). Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.

Summary Of Accounting Policies - (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

General Dsiclosure [Abstract]

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Description Of Business

Description of Business and Fiscal Year: The Company has two reportable segments — the operation of a fashion specialty stores segment (“Retail Segment”) and a credit card segment (“Credit Segment”). The apparel specialty stores operate under the names “Cato,” “Cato Fashions,” “Cato Plus,” “It’s Fashion,” “It’s Fashion Metro” and “Versona,” including e-commerce websites. The stores are located primarily in strip shopping centers principally in the southeastern United States. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest January 31 of the subsequent year.

Description of Fiscal Year

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory shrinkage, the calculation of potential asset impairment, workers’ compensation, general and auto insurance liabilities, reserves relating to self-insured health insurance, and uncertain tax positions.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Investments: Investments with original maturities beyond three months are classified as short-term investments. See Note 3 for the Company’s estimated fair value of, and other information regarding, its short-term investments. The Company’s short-term investments are all classified as available-for-sale. As they are available for current operations, they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Current Assets. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and temporary losses, net of income taxes, reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. Other than temporary declines in the fair value of investments are recorded as a reduction in the cost of the investments in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and a reduction of Interest and other income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. The amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts and realized gains and losses are included in Interest and other income.

Restricted Cash And Short-Term Investments

Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments: The Company had $3.8 million and $3.7 million in escrow at February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, respectively, as security and collateral for administration of the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation and general liability coverage, which is reported as Restricted cash and Restricted short-term investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income tax payments, net of refunds received, for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 were a refund of $407,000, and payments of $4,356,000 and $14,118,000, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories: Merchandise inventories are stated at the net realizable value as determined by the weighted-average cost method.

PropertyAnd Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost, including land. Maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred; renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation is determined on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets excluding leasehold improvements. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term. For leases with renewal periods at the Company’s option, the Company generally uses the original lease term plus reasonably assured renewal option periods (generally one five-year option period) to determine estimated useful lives. Typical estimated useful lives are as follows:

			Estimated
Classification			Useful Lives

Land improvements			10 years
Buildings			30-40 years
Leasehold improvements			5-10 years
Fixtures and equipment			3-10 years
Information technology equipment and software			3-10 years
Aircraft			20 years

Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company invests in leaseholds and equipment primarily in connection with the opening and remodeling of stores and in computer software and hardware. The Company periodically reviews its store locations and estimates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which primarily relate to Fixtures and equipment, Leasehold improvements, and Information technology equipment and software. An impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value when the Company determines that projected cash flows associated with those long-lived assets will not be sufficient to recover the carrying value. This determination is based on a number of factors, including the store’s historical operating results and projected cash flows, which include future sales growth projections. Further, in determining when to close a store, the Company considers real estate development in the area and perceived local market conditions, which can be difficult to predict and may be subject to change. Asset impairment charges of $1,548,000, $7,698,000 and $13,561,000 were incurred in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively.

Leases

The Company determines the classification of leases consistent with ASC 840 - Leases. The Company leases all of its retail stores. Most lease agreements contain construction allowances and rent escalations. For purposes of recognizing incentives and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, including renewal periods considered reasonably assured, the Company begins amortization as of the initial possession date which is when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation for intended use.

For deferred landlord allowances (construction allowances), the Company records a deferred rent liability in Other noncurrent liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortizes the deferred rent over the term of the respective lease as a reduction to Cost of goods sold on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy, the Company records minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases. Deferred landlord allowance and deferred step rent of $19,334,000 are recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities at the end of February 2, 2019.

Revenue Recognition

In the First quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“Topic 606”) using the modified retrospective method applied to contracts which were pending as of February 3, 2018. Financial results included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the twelve months ended February 2, 2019 are presented under Topic 606, while prior year amounts have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition” (“Topic 605”). As a result of adopting Topic 606, the Company did not adjust opening retained earnings.

The Company recognizes sales at the point of purchase when the customer takes possession of the merchandise and pays for the purchase, generally with cash or credit. Sales from purchases made with Cato credit, gift cards and layaway sales from stores are also recorded when the customer takes possession of the merchandise. E-commerce sales are recorded when the risk of loss is transferred to the customer. Gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue until they are redeemed or forfeited. Layaway sales are recorded as deferred revenue until the customer takes possession or forfeits the merchandise. Gift cards do not have expiration dates. A provision is made for estimated merchandise returns based on sales volumes and the Company’s experience; actual returns have not varied materially from historical amounts. A provision is made for estimated write-offs associated with sales made with the Company’s proprietary credit card. Amounts related to shipping and handling billed to customers in a sales transaction are classified as Other revenue and the costs related to shipping product to customers (billed and accrued) are classified as Cost of goods sold.

In accordance with Topic 606, in fiscal 2018, the Company recognized $591,000 of income on unredeemed gift cards (“gift card breakage”) as a component of Other Revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Under Topic 606, the Company recognizes gift card breakage using an expected breakage percentage based on redeemed gift cards. In fiscal 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized $1,380,000 and $3,434,000, respectively, of gift card breakage as a component of Other income on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. See Note 2 for further information on miscellaneous income. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed its estimate for recognizing gift card breakage income, changing the dormancy period to 24 months of inactivity from 60 months of inactivity.

The Company offers its own proprietary credit card to customers. All credit activity is performed by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. None of the credit card receivables are secured. The Company estimated uncollectible amounts of $897,000 and $890,000 for the twelve months ended February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, respectively, on sales purchased on the Company’s proprietary credit card of $27.4 million and $27.5 million for the twelve months ended February 2, 2019 and February 3, 2018, respectively.

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):

	Balance as of
		February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018

Proprietary Credit Card Receivables, net	$	15,980	$	16,857
Gift Card Liability	$	7,721	$	7,565

Cost Of Goods Sold

Cost of Goods Sold: Cost of goods sold includes merchandise costs, net of discounts and allowances, buying costs, distribution costs, occupancy costs, freight, and inventory shrinkage. Net merchandise costs and in-bound freight are capitalized as inventory costs. Buying and distribution costs include payroll, payroll-related costs and operating expenses for our buying departments and distribution center. Occupancy expenses include rent, real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, utilities and maintenance for stores and distribution facilities. Buying, distribution, occupancy and internal transfer costs are treated as period costs and are not capitalized as part of inventory. The direct costs associated with shipping goods to customers are recorded as a component of Cost of goods sold.

Stock Repurchase Program

Stock Repurchase Program: For fiscal year ending February 2, 2019, the Company had 2,019,002 shares remaining in open authorizations. There is no specified expiration date for the Company’s repurchase program. Share repurchases are recorded in Retained earnings, net of par value. As of March 27, 2019, the Company repurchased 126,891 shares for $1,695,000, primarily to offset dilution from its equity compensation plans.

Advertising

Advertising: Advertising costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $5,546,000, $5,558,000 and $6,868,000 for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

Vendor Allowances

Vendor Allowances: The Company receives certain allowances from vendors primarily related to purchase discounts and markdown and damage allowances. All allowances are reflected in Cost of goods sold as earned when the related products are sold. Cash consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the purchase cost of merchandise and is reflected as a reduction of inventory. The Company does not receive cooperative advertising allowances.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share: ASC 260 - Earnings Per Share, requires dual presentation of basic EPS and diluted EPS on the face of all income statements for all entities with complex capital structures. The Company has presented one basic EPS and one diluted EPS amount for all common shares in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. While the Company’s certificate of incorporation provides the right for the Board of Directors to declare dividends on Class A shares without declaration of commensurate dividends on Class B shares, the Company has historically paid the same dividends to both Class A and Class B shareholders and the Board of Directors has resolved to continue this practice. Accordingly, the Company’s allocation of income for purposes of EPS computation is the same for Class A and Class B shares and the EPS amounts reported herein are applicable to both Class A and Class B shares.

Basic EPS is computed as net income less earnings allocated to non-vested equity awards divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The following table reflects the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017:

		Fiscal Year Ended

		February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Numerator		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net earnings	$	30,461	$	8,540	$	47,212
	Earnings allocated to non-vested equity awards		(862)		(172)		(956)
	Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	29,599	$	8,368	$	46,256


Denominator
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		23,995,170		24,906,203		26,839,885
	Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock		-		-		1,634
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		23,995,170		24,906,203		26,841,519

Net income per common share
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.23	$	0.34	$	1.72
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.23	$	0.34	$	1.72

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are provided based on the asset and liability method of accounting, whereby deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

Unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions are established in accordance with ASC 740 when, despite the fact that the tax return positions are supportable, the Company believes these positions may be challenged and the results are uncertain. The Company adjusts these liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances. Potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within operations are recognized as a component of Income before income taxes.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) enacted during fiscal 2017 significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax law by, among other things, reducing the corporate income tax rate to 21% and implementing a modified territorial tax system that includes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company has finalized the impact of the enacted law during the measurement period allowed by SEC staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB 118”).

In addition, the Tax Act implemented a new minimum tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”). The Company has elected to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred, which is included as a component of its current year provision for income taxes.

Store Opening Costs

Store Opening Costs: Costs relating to the opening of new stores or the relocating or expanding of existing stores are expensed as incurred. A portion of construction, design, and site selection costs are capitalized to new, relocated and remodeled stores.

Closed Store Lease Obligations

Closed Store Lease Obligations: At the time stores are closed, provisions are made for the rentals required to be paid over the remaining lease terms on a discounted cash flow basis, reduced by any expected sublease rentals.

Insurance

Insurance: The Company is self-insured with respect to employee health care, workers’ compensation and general liability. The Company’s self-insurance liabilities are based on the total estimated cost of claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported, less amounts paid against such claims, and are not discounted. Management reviews current and historical claims data in developing its estimates. The Company has stop-loss insurance coverage for individual claims in excess of $325,000 for employee healthcare, $350,000 for workers’ compensation and $250,000 for general liability.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company’s carrying values of financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash and short-term investments, approximate their fair values due to their short terms to maturity and/or their variable interest rates.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation: The Company records compensation expense associated with restricted stock and other forms of equity compensation in accordance with ASC 718 - Compensation – Stock Compensation. Compensation cost associated with stock awards recognized in all years presented includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all stock awards based on the grant date fair value and 2) adjustments for the effects of actual forfeitures versus initial estimated forfeitures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Policies

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” that supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance and modifies the accounting treatment for certain costs associated with revenue generation. The core principle of the revised revenue recognition standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good or services, and provides several steps to apply to achieve that principle. In addition, the new guidance enhances disclosure requirements to include more information about specific revenue contracts entered into by the entity. Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018 the Company adopted this new standard.

The Company has elected the modified retrospective approach to transition to Topic 606. As required by this expedient, the Company assessed its open contracts with customers at February 3, 2018 to determine the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard. The Company concluded that the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard is not material. In addition, the Company assessed the financial line items impacted by adopting this standard compared to the previous revenue guidance. The Company concluded that any differences in financial statement line items are not material. Please refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for disclosures related to this adoption.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)." This standard requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 using the retrospective transition method. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an effective date for ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” a new leasing standard that will require substantially all leases to be recorded on the balance sheet. The standard is effective for the Company’s first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year; early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is assessing what impacts this new standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and expects assets and liabilities to increase. We will continue evaluating the practical expedients as they are issued. However, the adoption of this standard will result in the recognition of a lease liability and related right-of-use asset and will materially impact our balance sheet.

Other Asset Accounting Policy

Other Assets

Other assets are comprised of long-term assets, primarily insurance contracts related to deferred compensation assets and land held for investment purposes.

		Fiscal Year Ended
		February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018
		(Dollars in thousands)
Other Assets
Deferred Compensation Investments	$	9,093	$	8,899
Miscellaneous Investments		1,277		1,392
Other Deposits		520		525
Investment In Partnership		526		699
Land Held for Investment		9,923		9,677
Other		466		466
Total Other Assets	$	21,805	$	21,658

Fair Value Measurements - Assets at Fairvalue - (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

FairValue Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures

			Prices in
			Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	February 2, 2019		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	February 2, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
State/Municipal Bonds	$	54,346	$	-	$	54,346	$	-
Corporate Bonds		90,891		-		90,891		-
U.S. Treasury/Agencies Notes and Bonds		17,236		-		17,236		-
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		9,093		-		-		9,093
Asset-backed Securities (ABS)		23,334		-		23,334		-
Corporate Equities		690		690		-		-
Certificates of Deposit		101		101		-		-
Total Assets	$	195,691	$	791	$	185,807	$	9,093

Liabilities:
Deferred Compensation		(8,908)		-		-		(8,908)
Total Liabilities	$	(8,908)	$	-	$	-	$	(8,908)




			Prices in
			Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	February 3, 2018		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
Description	February 3, 2018		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
State/Municipal Bonds	$	95,983	$	-	$	95,983	$	-
Corporate Bonds		22,535		-		22,535		-
U.S. Treasury/Agencies Notes and Bonds		404		404		-		-
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		8,900		-		-		8,900
Asset-backed Securities (ABS)		318		-		318		-
Corporate Equities		798		798		-		-
Certificates of Deposit		100		100		-		-
Total Assets	$	129,038	$	1,302	$	118,836	$	8,900

Liabilities:
Deferred Compensation		(8,951)		-		-		(8,951)
Total Liabilities	$	(8,951)	$	-	$	-	$	(8,951)

Fair Value Measurments - Level 3 Roll (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

FairValue Measurements [Abstract]

Level 3 Reconciliation

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Asset Inputs (Level 3)
	Other
	Investments		Cash
	Private Equity		Surrender Value
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018	$	-	$	8,900
Additions		-		596
Total gains or (losses)
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		-		(403)
Ending Balance at February 2, 2019	$	-	$	9,093


	Fair Value
	Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable
	Liability Inputs (Level 3)
	Deferred
	Compensation
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018	$	(8,951)
Additions		(105)
Total (gains) or losses
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		148
Ending Balance at February 2, 2019	$	(8,908)


	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
	Unobservable Asset Inputs (Level 3)
	Other
	Investments		Cash
	Private Equity		Surrender Value
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017	$	-	$	7,973
Additions		-		307
Total gains or (losses)
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		-		620
Ending Balance at February 3, 2018	$	-	$	8,900


	Fair Value
	Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable
	Liability Inputs (Level 3)
	Deferred
	Compensation
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017	$	(7,649)
Additions		(443)
Total (gains) or losses
Included in interest and other income (or changes in net assets)		(859)
Ending Balance at February 3, 2018	$	(8,951)

Components Of Income Tax Expense - (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsByJurisdictionAbstract

Components Of Income Tax Expense

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended	February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017
Current income taxes:
Federal	$	281	$	1,726	$	(411)
State		(359)		1,401		873
Foreign		1,371		1,952		2,053
Total		1,293		5,079		2,515
Deferred income taxes:
Federal		2,064		3,816		45
State		(767)		(1,462)		(644)
Foreign		-		-		(14)
Total		1,297		2,354		(613)
Total income tax expense	$	2,590	$	7,433	$	1,902

Reportable Segment Information - (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Reportable Segment Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]


Fiscal 2018		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	825,850	$	3,814	$	829,664
Depreciation		16,441		22		16,463
Interest and other income		4,991		-		4,991
Income before taxes		31,149		1,902		33,051
Capital expenditures		4,315		39		4,354


Fiscal 2017		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	845,759	$	4,222	$	849,981
Depreciation		19,604		39		19,643
Interest and other income		5,111		-		5,111
Income before taxes		14,762		1,211		15,973
Capital expenditures		11,047		49		11,096


Fiscal 2016		Retail		Credit		Total

Revenues	$	951,663	$	4,906	$	956,569
Depreciation		22,667		49		22,716
Interest and other income		7,041		-		7,041
Income before taxes		47,447		1,667		49,114
Capital expenditures		27,248		49		27,297

		Retail		Credit		Total

Total assets as of February 2, 2019	$	454,143	$	43,763	$	497,906
Total assets as of February 3, 2018		469,652		46,424		516,076


		February 2, 2019		February 3, 2018		January 28, 2017

Bad debt expense	$	-	$	690	$	832
Payroll		749		861		865
Postage		506		546		635
Other expenses		635		875		858
Total expenses	$	1,890	$	2,972	$	3,190

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 02, 2019

Jan. 28, 2017

Accumulatedothercomprehensiveincomelossdisclosure[Abstract]

ScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTableTextBlock

	Changes in Accumulated Other
	Comprehensive Income (a)
			Unrealized Gains
			and (Losses) on
			Available-for-Sale
			Securities
Beginning Balance at February 3, 2018		$	(321)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassification			278

Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income (b)			(34)

Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)			244

Ending Balance at February 2, 2019		$	(77)

(a) All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
(b) Includes ($45) impact of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into Interest and other income for net gains on available-for-sale securities. The tax impact of this reclassification was ($11). Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.

	Changes in Accumulated Other
	Comprehensive Income (a)
			Unrealized Gains
			and (Losses) on
			Available-for-Sale
			Securities
Beginning Balance at January 28, 2017		$	(214)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before
reclassification			(135)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income (b)			28

Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)			(107)

Ending Balance at February 3, 2018		$	(321)

(a) All amounts are net-of-tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.
(b) Includes ($36) impact of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into Interest and other income for net gains on available-for-sale securities. The tax impact of this reclassification was ($9). Amounts in parentheses indicate a debit/reduction to OCI.

General - Notes to Financial Statements - (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
General Dsiclosure [Abstract]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents In Escrow	$ 3,802,000	$ 3,722,000
Asset Impairment Charges	1,548,000	7,698,000	$ 13,561,000
Income Taxes Paid, Net	407,000	4,356,000	14,118,000
Advertising Expense	$ 5,546,000	$ 5,558,000	$ 6,868,000
EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems
Shares Repurchased and Retired	593,404	2,082,535	1,320,182
Remaining Shares In Repurchase Authorizations	0

Earnings Per Share - (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 03, 2018	Aug. 04, 2018	May 05, 2018	Feb. 03, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Abstract]
Net income	$ (3,232,000)	$ 3,800,000	$ 6,482,000	$ 23,411,000	$ (15,506,000)	$ 2,694,000	$ (881,000)	$ 22,233,000	$ 30,461,000	$ 8,540,000	$ 47,212,000
Earnings Allocated to Non-Vesting Equity Awards									862,000	172,000	956,000
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders									$ 29,599,000	$ 8,368,000	$ 46,256,000
Basic Weighted-Average common shares outstanding									23,995,170	24,906,203	26,839,885
Dilutive Effect of Stock Options									0	0	1,634
Diluted Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding									23,995,170	24,906,203	26,841,519
Basic earnings per share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.16	$ 0.26	$ 0.94	$ (0.62)	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ 0.85	$ 1.23	$ 0.34	$ 1.72
Diluted earnings per share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.16	$ 0.26	$ 0.94	$ (0.62)	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ 0.85	$ 1.23	$ 0.34	$ 1.72

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Other Assets - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Other Assets [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation Investments	$ 9,093	$ 8,899
Miscellaneous Investments	1,277	1,392
Other Deposits	520	525
Investment in Partnership	526	699
Land Held for Investment	9,923	9,677
Buildings Held for Investment	0	0
Intellectual Property	0	0
Other Assets - Miscellaneous	466	466
Total Other Assets	$ 21,805	$ 21,658

Revenue Recognition Disclosure Table - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionAndDeferredRevenueAbstract
Proprietary Credit Card Receivables Net	$ 15,980,000	$ 16,857,000
Gift Card Liability	$ 7,721,000	$ 7,565,000

Interest and Other Income - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
ComponentOfOtherIncomeNonoperatingLineItems
Dividend Income	$ (34)	$ (22)	$ (21)
Interest Income	(3,893)	(2,433)	(2,308)
Miscellaneous Income	(1,109)	(2,616)	(4,439)
Net gain on investment sales	45	(40)	(273)
Interst and Other Income	$ (4,991)	$ (5,111)	$ (7,041)

Short-Term Investment Reconciliation - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Debt Securiteis Issued by Various States of the United States and Political Subdivisions of the States
ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Cost Basis	$ 71,953	$ 96,701
Estimated Fair Value	71,582	95,983
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(371)	(718)
Corporate Debt Securities
ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Cost Basis	114,372	23,079
Estimated Fair Value	114,225	22,853
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	$ (147)	$ (226)

Accumulated Unrealized Gains (Losses) - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Short-Term Debt Investments
ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Unrealized Gain / (Loss)	$ (518)	$ (945)
Deferred Tax Benefit	121	225
Unrealized Net Gain / (Loss)	(397)	(720)
Equity Investments
ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Unrealized Gain / (Loss)	417	524
Deferred Tax Benefit	(97)	(125)
Unrealized Net Gain / (Loss)	$ 320	$ 399

Fair Value Measurments - Level 3 Roll - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Deferred Compensation
FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems
Beginning Balance	$ (8,908)	$ (8,951)	$ (7,649)
Additons		(105)	(443)
Losses (Gains) Included In Earnings		148	(859)
Ending Balance		(8,908)	(8,951)
Privately Managed Funds
FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliation[Line Items]
Beginning Balance	0		0
Additions	0	0
Redemptions	0	0
Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0	0
Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income	0	0
Ending Balance	0	0
Cash Surrender Value - Life Insurance
FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliation[Line Items]
Beginning Balance	8,900		$ 7,973
Additions	596	307
Redemptions	0	0
Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	(403)	620
Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 9,093	$ 8,900

Accounts Receivables - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivable[LineItems]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	$ 28,979	$ 29,166
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	(842)	(1,148)
Accounts Receivable - Net	28,137	28,018
Customer Accounts
AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivable[LineItems]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	16,821	18,004
Miscellaneous Trade Receivables
AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivable[LineItems]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	$ 6,059	$ 5,819

Property and Equipment - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	$ 410,637,000	$ 419,026,000
Accumulated Depreciation	316,333,000	309,658,000
Property and equipment - net	94,304,000	109,368,000
Land and Improvements
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	13,552,000	13,550,000
Buildings
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	35,773,000	35,461,000
Leasehold Improvements
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	90,827,000	93,620,000
Fixtures and equipment
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	212,012,000	217,873,000
Information Technology Equipment
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	58,473,000	58,458,000
Construction in Progress
PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Property and Equipment Gross	$ 0	$ 64,000

Accrued Expenses - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Payroll and Related Items	$ 9,252	$ 13,472
Property and Other Taxes	17,981	17,515
Accrued Self-Insurance	10,980	11,637
Accrued Fixed Assets	326	634
Other	7,119	9,567
Total Accrued Expenses	$ 45,658	$ 52,825

Financing Arrangements - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Financing Arrangements - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility Outstanding Borrowings	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
RevolvingCreditFacilityMember [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 35,000
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Aug. 31, 2019
Interest on Borrowings Based on LIBOR	0.00%

Minimum Leae Payments - (Details) - Buildings $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019 USD ($)
OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems
Lease Payments Due In One Year	$ 69,601
Lease Payments Due In Two Years	51,943
Lease Payments Due In Three Years	35,196
Lease Payments Due In Four Years	21,242
Lease Payments Due In Five Years	12,986
Lease Payments Due Thereafter	2,643
Total Minimum Lease Payments	$ 193,611

Rental Expense - (Details) - Buildings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems
Minimum Rentals	$ 69,871	$ 70,971	$ 70,681
Contingent Rent	1	0	3
Total Rental Expense	$ 69,872	$ 70,971	$ 70,684

- Definition

The increases or decreases in lease payments that result from changes occurring after the inception of the lease in the factors (other than the passage of time) on which lease payments are based, except that any escalation of minimum lease payments relating to increases in construction or acquisition cost of the leased property or for increases in some measure of cost or value during the construction or preconstruction period, are excluded from contingent rentals. Contingent rentals also may include amounts for which the triggering events have not yet occurred or the specified targets for which have not yet been achieved (such as sales based percentage rent), but which events are considered probable of occurring or which specified targets are considered probable of being achieved.

+ References + Details

Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Beginning Balance	$ 9,531	$ 10,668	$ 9,560
Additional Tax Positions Current Year	420	2,537	2,618
Additional Tax Positions Prior Years	0	0	0
Reductions Due To Changes In Judgment	0	(1,209)	0
Reductions Due To Settlements	(419)	(390)	(328)
Reductions From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations	(1,047)	(2,075)	(1,182)
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Ending Balance	$ 8,485	$ 9,531	$ 10,668

Income Taxes - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Beginning Balance	$ 9,531	$ 10,668	$ 9,560
Additional Tax Positions Current Year	420	2,537	2,618
Additional Tax Positions Prior Years	0	0	0
Reductions Due To Changes In Judgment	0	(1,209)	0
Reductions Due To Settlements	(419)	(390)	(328)
Reductions From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations	(1,047)	(2,075)	(1,182)
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Ending Balance	8,485	$ 9,531	$ 10,668
Domestic Taxing Authorities
Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Ending Balance	$ 8,485

Components Of Income Tax Expense - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsByJurisdictionAbstract
Current Federal Income Tax Expense	$ 281	$ 1,726	$ (411)
Current State Income Tax Expense	(359)	1,401	873
Current Foreign Income Tax Expense	1,371	1,952	2,053
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense	2,064	3,816	45
Deferred State Income Tax Expense	(767)	(1,462)	(644)
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense	0	0	(14)
Total Income Tax Expense	$ 2,590	$ 7,433	$ 1,902

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Components - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	$ 180,000	$ 198,000
Capital Loss Carryforward	0	0
Deferred Lease Liablity	0	0
Inventory Valuation Deferred Tax Asset	1,604,000	1,758,000
Non-Deductible Accrued Liablities	1,589,000	3,248,000
Other Taxes	1,133,000	1,152,000
Federal Benefit Of Uncertain Tax Positions	1,111,000	1,268,000
Incentive Compensation	0	0
Equity Compensation Expense	4,242,000	4,321,000
Net Operating Losses	1,484,000	851,000
Charitable Contribution Carryover	1,568,000	2,041,000
State Tax Credits	1,150,000	789,000
Other Deferred Tax Assets	1,242,000	1,188,000
Total Deferred Tax Assets	(15,303,000)	(16,814,000)
Property And Equipment	(1,529,000)	(1,859,000)
Unrealized Gains On Short-Term Ivestments In Comprehensive Income	0	0
Health Care Expenses	0	0
Inventory Valuation	0	0
Deferred lease liability	1,977,000	1,191,000
IBNR	481,000	1,043,000
Other Deferred Tax Liabilities	107,000	151,000
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	4,094,000	4,244,000
Net Deferred Tax Liabilites	$ (11,209,000)	$ (12,570,000)

Reconciliation Of Effective Tax Rate - (Details)	12 Months Ended
Reconciliation Of Effective Tax Rate - (Details)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperationsTaxRateReconciliationAbstract
Federal Income Tax Rate	21.00%	33.70%	35.00%
State Income Taxes	1.10%	(4.70%)	(0.20%)
Tax Credits	(2.60%)	(28.80%)	(9.30%)
Tax Exempt Interest	0.00%	38.60%	0.00%
Foreign Rate Differential	(3.40%)	(6.00%)	(3.40%)
Uncertain Tax Positions	0.70%	2.00%	1.20%
Charitable contribution of inventory	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Deemed Repatriation (2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act)	(2.40%)	(4.40%)	(1.60%)
Rate Change On Deferred Taxes	(1.50%)	(4.40%)	2.40%
Addback on Wage Related Credits	(2.00%)	39.20%	0.00%
Effects Of Permanent Differences	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	0.40%	(2.10%)	(3.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate	7.80%	46.50%	3.90%

Income Tax Paragraph - (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Tax Paragraph - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016
IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems
Unrecogmized Tax Benefit	$ 8,485,000	$ 9,531,000	$ 10,668,000	$ 9,560,000
DomesticCountryMember
IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems
Unrecogmized Tax Benefit	8,485,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefit That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	10,600,000
Accrued Interest and Tax Penalties Related To Uncertain Tax Positions	3,200,000	2,800,000	4,100,000
Interest and Tax Penalties Related To Uncertain Tax Positions Included In Income Tax Expense	$ 1,023,000	$ 986,000	$ 716,000

Quarterly Financial Data - (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Data - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 03, 2018	Aug. 04, 2018	May 05, 2018	Feb. 03, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 192,435,000	$ 190,012,000	$ 208,917,000	$ 238,300,000	$ 213,006,000	$ 190,273,000	$ 206,961,000	$ 239,741,000	$ 829,664,000	$ 849,981,000	$ 956,569,000
Gross Profit (excluding depreciation)	65,002,000	66,998,000	79,116,000	96,013,000	71,451,000	65,811,000	65,703,000	93,958,000
Net income	$ (3,232,000)	$ 3,800,000	$ 6,482,000	$ 23,411,000	$ (15,506,000)	$ 2,694,000	$ (881,000)	$ 22,233,000	$ 30,461,000	$ 8,540,000	$ 47,212,000
Basic Earnings Per Share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.16	$ 0.26	$ 0.94	$ (0.62)	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ 0.85	$ 1.23	$ 0.34	$ 1.72
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.16	$ 0.26	$ 0.94	$ (0.62)	$ 0.11	$ (0.03)	$ 0.85	$ 1.23	$ 0.34	$ 1.72

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

Reportable Segment Information - (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Reportable Segment Information - (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2019	Nov. 03, 2018	Aug. 04, 2018	May 05, 2018	Feb. 03, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 192,435,000	$ 190,012,000	$ 208,917,000	$ 238,300,000	$ 213,006,000	$ 190,273,000	$ 206,961,000	$ 239,741,000	$ 829,664,000	$ 849,981,000	$ 956,569,000
Interest and other income									4,991,000	5,111,000	7,041,000
Total Assets	497,906,000				516,076,000				497,906,000	516,076,000
Capital expenditures									4,354,000	11,096,000	27,297,000
ReportableSegmentsMemberRetail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									825,850,000	845,759,000	951,663,000
Depreciation									16,441,000	19,604,000	22,667,000
Interest and other income									4,991,000	5,111,000	7,041,000
Total Assets	454,143,000				469,652,000				454,143,000	469,652,000
Capital expenditures									4,315,000	11,047,000	27,248,000
Income Before Taxes									31,149,000	14,762,000	47,447,000
ReportableSegmentsMemberCredit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									3,814,000	4,222,000	4,906,000
Depreciation									22,000	39,000	49,000
Interest and other income									0	0	0
Total Assets	$ 43,763,000				$ 46,424,000				43,763,000	46,424,000
Capital expenditures									39,000	49,000	49,000
Income Before Taxes									$ 1,902,000	$ 1,211,000	$ 1,667,000

Direct Expenses of Credit Segment in SGA - (Details) - ReportableSegmentsMemberCredit [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Net	$ 0	$ 690	$ 832
Labor and Related Expense	749	861	865
Postage Expense	506	546	635
Other Expenses	$ 635	$ 875	$ 858

Sechedule Of Restricted Stock Outstanding - (Details) - 2004 Plan - Restricted Stock - Class A Common Stock - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Restricted Stock Awards Beginning Balance	595,179	561,323	576,676
Restricted Stock Awards Granted	354,385	191,919	148,591
Restricted Stock Awards Vested	(139,669)	(125,761)	(103,808)
Restricted Stock Awards Foreited	(38,044)	(32,302)	(60,136)
Restricted Stock Awards Ending Balance	771,851	595,179	561,323
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity InstrumentsOtherThan Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share - Beginning Balance	$ 30.33	$ 32.22	$ 29.71
Granted Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	16.2	22.44	36.83
Vested Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	29.87	26.4	25.19
Forfeited Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	24.34	31.52	31.68
Restricted Stock Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share - Ending Balance	$ 24.22	$ 30.33	$ 32.22

Stock Based Compensation Additional - (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Remaining Weighted-Average Vesting Period	0 years	5 years 15 days
Intrinsic Value Of Vested and Excercisable Options	$ 0
Remaining Contractual Term For Vested and Excercisable Options		0 years
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Exercised	8,051	4,025
Convertible Class B Common Stock
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Granted	0
Forfeited of expired	0
Exercised	8,051
Restricted Stock \| Class A Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized Compensation Expense	$ 11,989,000
Remaining Weighted-Average Vesting Period	2 years
Compensation Expense	$ 4,833,000	$ 4,093,000	$ 4,091,000
Stock Options \| Class A Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Price	$ 14.17
Intrinsic Value	$ 5,000	$ 0	$ 109,000
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Options Outstanding	500
Options Outstanding		500
Stock Options \| Convertible Class B Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Price	$ 0
Options Granted	0
Outstanding Vested and Excercisable Options	0
Weighted Average Price For Stock Options Vested and Excercisable	$ 0
Intrinsic Value for Options Outstanding	$ 0
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Options Outstanding	20,127
Options Outstanding	0	20,127
Employee Stock Purchase Plan \| Class A Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Sold	44,770	34,238	17,455
Compensation Expense	$ 101,000	$ 86,000	$ 88,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Share Purchase Discount	$ 2.25

Weighted Average Option Rollforward - (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Exercised	8,051	4,025
Convertible Class B Common Stock
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Granted	0
Forfeited of expired	0
Exercised	8,051
Employee Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Common Stock
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Options Outstanding	500
Options Outstanding		500
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Rollforward
Options Outstanding	$ 14.17
Employee Stock Options [Member] \| Convertible Class B Common Stock
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Options Outstanding	20,127
Options Outstanding	0	20,127
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term for Vested and Exercisable Options	0 years	5 years 15 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	$ 0
Options Granted	0
Weighted Average Contractual Term for Options Outstanding	0 years
Intrinsic Value for Options Outstanding	$ 0
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Rollforward
Options Outstanding	$ 0

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ (321,000)	$ (214,000)
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Reclassifications Net Of Tax	278,000	(135,000)
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax	(34,000)	28,000
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax benefit	244,000	(107,000)	$ (1,014,000)
Ending Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ (77,000)	$ (321,000)	$ (214,000)

Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems
Income tax expense	$ 2,590	$ 7,433	$ 1,902
gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems
Interest and Other Income	45	(36)
Income tax expense	$ 11	$ (9)

Revenue Recognition Cato Credit Card - (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionAndDeferredRevenueAbstract
Proprietary Credit Card Uncollectable amounts	$ 897,000	$ 890,000
Proprietary Credit Card Sales	$ 27,400,000	$ 27,500,000

Fair Value Measurements - Assets at Fairvalue - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
Deferred Compensation \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	$ 0	$ 0
Deferred Compensation \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	0	0
Deferred Compensation \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure	(8,908)	(8,951)
State/Municipal Bonds \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
State/Municipal Bonds \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	54,346	95,983
State/Municipal Bonds \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	90,891	22,535
Corporate Bonds \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
US Treasury Notes \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	404
US Treasury Notes \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	17,236	0
US Treasury Notes \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Equities \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	690	798
Corporate Equities \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Equities \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Certificates of Deposit \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	101	100
Certificates of Deposit \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Certificates of Deposit \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Asset Backed Securities (ABS) \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Asset Backed Securities (ABS) \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	23,334	318
Asset Backed Securities (ABS) \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available for Sale Securities	0	0
Cash Surrender Value - Life Insurance \| Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Surrender Value	0	0
Cash Surrender Value - Life Insurance \| Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Surrender Value	0	0
Cash Surrender Value - Life Insurance \| Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash Surrender Value	$ 9,093	$ 8,900

Accounts Receivables Paragraph - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableGrossAllowanceAndNet [Abstract]
Credit Card Finance and Late Charge Revenue	$ 3,814,000	$ 4,222,000	$ 4,906,000
Charges Against The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	$ 470,000	$ 690,000	$ 832,000

Stock Based Compensation - Plans - (Details) - shares	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018
1987 Plan
Authorized And Available For Grant [Line Items]
Options And/Or Restrcited Stock Initially Authorized	5,850,000
Options And Or Restricted Stock Available For Grant	0	0
2004 Plan
Authorized And Available For Grant [Line Items]
Options And/Or Restrcited Stock Initially Authorized	1,350,000
Options And Or Restricted Stock Available For Grant	0	0
2013 Plan
Authorized And Available For Grant [Line Items]
Options And/Or Restrcited Stock Initially Authorized	1,500,000
Options And Or Restricted Stock Available For Grant	0	856,473
2018 Plan
Authorized And Available For Grant [Line Items]
Options And/Or Restrcited Stock Initially Authorized	4,725,000
Options And Or Restricted Stock Available For Grant	4,514,151	0

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Feb. 02, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss Contingency Estimate of Possible Loss	$ 9,300,000

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Notes to Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Abstract Cato [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Income tax payments, net of refunds received, for the fiscal years ended February 2, 2019, February 3, 2018 and January 28, 2017 were a refund of $407,000, and payments of $4,356,000 and $14,118,000, respectively.

Stockhlers' Equity - (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Stockhlers' Equity - (Details) - $ / shares	Feb. 02, 2019	Feb. 03, 2018	Jan. 28, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Quarterly Declared Dividend	$ 1.32	$ 1.32	$ 1.29
Class A Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Quarterly Declared Dividend	$ 1.32	$ 1.32	$ 1.29