Guarantor subsidiaries (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011	Aug. 03, 2012	Jul. 29, 2011
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	$ 3,948,655	$ 3,575,194	$ 7,849,860	$ 7,026,891
Cost of goods sold	2,685,432	2,426,852	5,358,381	4,791,152
Gross profit	1,263,223	1,148,342	2,491,479	2,235,739
Selling, general and administrative expenses	876,009	798,313	1,719,941	1,564,092
Operating profit	387,214	350,029	771,538	671,647
Interest expense	35,666	60,627	72,740	126,199
Other (income) expense	26,557	58,239	28,228	60,511
Income before income taxes	324,991	231,163	670,570	484,937
Income tax expense (benefit)	110,851	85,121	243,015	181,926
Net income	214,140	146,042	427,555	303,011
Comprehensive income	211,630	150,656	427,574	312,325
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	85,206	74,404	168,456	161,921
Gross profit	85,206	74,404	168,456	161,921
Selling, general and administrative expenses	77,460	67,640	153,142	147,201
Operating profit	7,746	6,764	15,314	14,720
Interest income	(10,539)	(11,688)	(20,490)	(24,110)
Interest expense	50,677	69,292	101,783	144,038
Other (income) expense	26,557	58,239	28,228	60,511
Income before income taxes	(58,949)	(109,079)	(94,207)	(165,719)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(35,313)	(40,666)	(49,133)	(61,110)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	237,776	214,455	472,629	407,620
Net income	214,140	146,042	427,555	303,011
Comprehensive income	211,630	150,656	427,574	312,325
GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	3,948,655	3,575,194	7,849,860	7,026,891
Cost of goods sold	2,685,432	2,426,852	5,358,381	4,791,152
Gross profit	1,263,223	1,148,342	2,491,479	2,235,739
Selling, general and administrative expenses	888,877	805,790	1,740,825	1,580,358
Operating profit	374,346	342,552	750,654	655,381
Interest income	(9,503)	(6,115)	(18,079)	(10,096)
Interest expense	9,860	14,396	19,349	26,847
Income before income taxes	373,989	334,271	749,384	638,630
Income tax expense (benefit)	142,951	124,341	287,046	239,387
Net income	231,038	209,930	462,338	399,243
Comprehensive income	231,038	209,930	462,338	399,243
OTHER SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	25,874	22,581	49,205	41,395
Gross profit	25,874	22,581	49,205	41,395
Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,752	21,868	43,635	39,849
Operating profit	5,122	713	5,570	1,546
Interest income	(4,838)	(5,266)	(9,840)	(10,494)
Interest expense	9	8	17	14
Income before income taxes	9,951	5,971	15,393	12,026
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,213	1,446	5,102	3,649
Net income	6,738	4,525	10,291	8,377
Comprehensive income	6,738	4,525	10,291	8,377
ELIMINATIONS
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	(111,080)	(96,985)	(217,661)	(203,316)
Gross profit	(111,080)	(96,985)	(217,661)	(203,316)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(111,080)	(96,985)	(217,661)	(203,316)
Interest income	24,880	23,069	48,409	44,700
Interest expense	(24,880)	(23,069)	(48,409)	(44,700)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	(237,776)	(214,455)	(472,629)	(407,620)
Net income	(237,776)	(214,455)	(472,629)	(407,620)
Comprehensive income	$ (237,776)	$ (214,455)	$ (472,629)	$ (407,620)