Commitments and contingencies (Detail 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2013	Jan. 01, 2010 person	Jan. 30, 2015	Feb. 13, 2015	Mar. 05, 2014 store	Aug. 10, 2012 store	May 27, 2011 store	Feb. 01, 2013	Jan. 30, 2015 item	Aug. 10, 2013	Feb. 18, 2014	Apr. 09, 2012 person
Legal proceedings
Amount accrued for loss contingency	$ 8.5
Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter")
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
Approximate number of opt-in plaintiffs dismissed		1,000
Amount accrued for loss contingency	8.5
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs										8.50
Settlement amount paid			8.5
Sally Ann Carpenter, et al v. Dolgencorp, Inc. ("Carpenter") | Pending litigation | Maximum
Legal proceedings
Number Of Days To File Response				30 days
Joyce Riley et al v. Dolgencorp, LLC ("Riley") | Pending litigation | Maximum
Legal proceedings
Number Of Days To File Response				30 days
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC | Pending litigation
Legal proceedings
Approximate number of stores co-located with one of the plaintiffs' stores							55
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs							47.00
Number of stores for which the court did not dismiss the claims for injunctive relief					13	4
Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc. | Pending litigation
Legal proceedings
Self insured retention under Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)									2
Amount accrued for loss contingency								1.8
Number of Plaintiffs whose conditional offer of employment was rescinded												1
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs											$ 4.08
Number of formal settlement discussions			3						3