Commitments and contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2010 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter") person	Feb. 01, 2013 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter") person	Oct. 24, 2012 Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Calvert")	Mar. 11, 2008 Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Calvert") person	May 04, 2012 Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Calvert")	Apr. 29, 2011 Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Calvert")	Feb. 01, 2013 Janet Calvert v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Calvert")	May 27, 2011 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC item	Feb. 01, 2013 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC	Aug. 10, 2012 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC item	Apr. 29, 2011 Interest rate swap settlement	May 28, 2010 Interest rate swap settlement	Jan. 30, 2009 Interest rate swap settlement	Feb. 01, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc.	Apr. 09, 2012 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc. person	Feb. 01, 2013 Commission cause finding related to the criminal background check policy item
Legal proceedings
Minimum number of current or former Dollar General store managers to whom notice was mailed	28,000
Approximate number of persons who opted into the lawsuit		3,950		2,100
Approximate number of opt-in plaintiffs dismissed		1,000
Legal fees							$ 3.25
Settlement consideration paid into a fund for the class members							15.5
Additional legal fees			3
Aggregate anticipated settlement							18.75
Reimbursement from Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)					15.9
Insurance coverage under Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)							20
Self insured retention under Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)														2
Accrued reserve up to self insured retention														1.8
Number of Plaintiffs whose conditional offer of employment was rescinded															1
Lawsuits filed to date																0
Settlement consideration paid					2.8
Receivable recorded from Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)						15.9
Approximate number of stores co-located with one of the plaintiffs' stores								55
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs									47
Interest rate swap settlement payment											9.85		7.60
Demand for additional settlement amount of interest rate swap												$ 19
Number of stores for which the court did not dismiss the claims for injunctive relief										4