Guarantor subsidiaries (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	$ 3,595,224	$ 3,223,427	$ 10,622,115	$ 9,548,896
Cost of goods sold	2,479,422	2,212,759	7,270,574	6,502,493
Gross profit	1,115,802	1,010,668	3,351,541	3,046,403
Selling, general and administrative expenses	804,885	736,334	2,368,977	2,180,589
Operating profit	310,917	274,334	982,564	865,814
Interest income	(10)	(90)	(55)	(128)
Interest expense	38,642	67,235	164,886	208,583
Other (income) expense	53	8,312	60,564	14,983
Income before income taxes	272,232	198,877	757,169	642,376
Income tax expense (benefit)	101,068	70,757	282,994	237,065
Net income	171,164	128,120	474,175	405,311
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	80,476	75,020	242,397	235,606
Gross profit	80,476	75,020	242,397	235,606
Selling, general and administrative expenses	73,160	68,201	220,361	214,273
Operating profit	7,316	6,819	22,036	21,333
Interest income	(11,269)	(12,244)	(35,379)	(33,651)
Interest expense	54,059	70,103	198,097	227,412
Other (income) expense	53	8,312	60,564	14,983
Income before income taxes	(35,527)	(59,352)	(201,246)	(187,411)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(12,715)	(26,871)	(73,825)	(73,780)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	193,976	160,601	601,596	518,942
Net income	171,164	128,120	474,175	405,311
GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	3,595,224	3,223,427	10,622,115	9,548,896
Cost of goods sold	2,479,422	2,212,759	7,270,574	6,502,493
Gross profit	1,115,802	1,010,668	3,351,541	3,046,403
Selling, general and administrative expenses	814,281	748,432	2,394,639	2,214,507
Operating profit	301,521	262,236	956,902	831,896
Interest income	(7,491)	(3,843)	(17,587)	(4,094)
Interest expense	8,465	18,021	35,312	33,576
Income before income taxes	300,547	248,058	939,177	802,414
Income tax expense (benefit)	111,788	94,555	351,175	302,237
Net income	188,759	153,503	588,002	500,177
OTHER SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	21,340	21,888	62,735	63,479
Gross profit	21,340	21,888	62,735	63,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,260	16,609	59,109	50,894
Operating profit	2,080	5,279	3,626	12,585
Interest income	(5,146)	(4,898)	(15,640)	(14,805)
Interest expense	14	6	28	17
Income before income taxes	7,212	10,171	19,238	27,373
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,995	3,073	5,644	8,608
Net income	5,217	7,098	13,594	18,765
ELIMINATIONS
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Net sales	(101,816)	(96,908)	(305,132)	(299,085)
Gross profit	(101,816)	(96,908)	(305,132)	(299,085)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(101,816)	(96,908)	(305,132)	(299,085)
Interest income	23,896	20,895	68,551	52,422
Interest expense	(23,896)	(20,895)	(68,551)	(52,422)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	(193,976)	(160,601)	(601,596)	(518,942)
Net income	$ (193,976)	$ (160,601)	$ (601,596)	$ (518,942)