Guarantor subsidiaries (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010	Jul. 29, 2011	Jul. 30, 2010
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	$ 3,575,194	$ 3,214,155	$ 7,026,891	$ 6,325,469
Cost of goods sold	2,426,852	2,178,176	4,791,152	4,289,734
Gross profit	1,148,342	1,035,979	2,235,739	2,035,735
Selling, general and administrative expenses	798,313	735,222	1,564,092	1,444,255
Operating profit	350,029	300,757	671,647	591,480
Interest income	(26)	(32)	(45)	(38)
Interest expense	60,653	69,330	126,244	141,348
Other (income) expense	58,239	6,526	60,511	6,671
Income before income taxes	231,163	224,933	484,937	443,499
Income tax expense (benefit)	85,121	83,738	181,926	166,308
Net income	146,042	141,195	303,011	277,191
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	74,404	73,122	161,921	160,586
Gross profit	74,404	73,122	161,921	160,586
Selling, general and administrative expenses	67,640	66,453	147,201	146,072
Operating profit	6,764	6,669	14,720	14,514
Interest income	(11,688)	(10,390)	(24,110)	(21,407)
Interest expense	69,292	77,852	144,038	157,309
Other (income) expense	58,239	6,526	60,511	6,671
Income before income taxes	(109,079)	(67,319)	(165,719)	(128,059)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(40,666)	(24,106)	(61,110)	(46,909)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	214,455	184,408	407,620	358,341
Net income	146,042	141,195	303,011	277,191
GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	3,575,194	3,214,155	7,026,891	6,325,469
Cost of goods sold	2,426,852	2,178,176	4,791,152	4,289,734
Gross profit	1,148,342	1,035,979	2,235,739	2,035,735
Selling, general and administrative expenses	805,790	744,212	1,580,358	1,466,075
Operating profit	342,552	291,767	655,381	569,660
Interest income	(6,115)	(3,219)	(10,096)	(5,929)
Interest expense	14,396	10,003	26,847	21,233
Income before income taxes	334,271	284,983	638,630	554,356
Income tax expense (benefit)	124,341	105,772	239,387	207,682
Net income	209,930	179,211	399,243	346,674
OTHER SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	22,581	21,943	41,395	41,591
Gross profit	22,581	21,943	41,395	41,591
Selling, general and administrative expenses	21,868	19,622	39,849	34,285
Operating profit	713	2,321	1,546	7,306
Interest income	(5,266)	(4,954)	(10,494)	(9,907)
Interest expense	8	6	14	11
Income before income taxes	5,971	7,269	12,026	17,202
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,446	2,072	3,649	5,535
Net income	4,525	5,197	8,377	11,667
ELIMINATIONS
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	(96,985)	(95,065)	(203,316)	(202,177)
Gross profit	(96,985)	(95,065)	(203,316)	(202,177)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(96,985)	(95,065)	(203,316)	(202,177)
Interest income	23,043	18,531	44,655	37,205
Interest expense	(23,043)	(18,531)	(44,655)	(37,205)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	(214,455)	(184,408)	(407,620)	(358,341)
Net income	$ (214,455)	$ (184,408)	$ (407,620)	$ (358,341)