Guarantor subsidiaries (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Nov. 02, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	$ 3,964,647	$ 3,595,224	$ 11,814,507	$ 10,622,115
Cost of goods sold	2,738,524	2,479,422	8,096,905	7,270,574
Gross profit	1,226,123	1,115,802	3,717,602	3,351,541
Selling, general and administrative expenses	864,734	804,885	2,584,675	2,368,977
Operating profit	361,389	310,917	1,132,927	982,564
Interest expense	27,726	38,632	100,466	164,831
Other (income) expense	1,728	53	29,956	60,564
Income before income taxes	331,935	272,232	1,002,505	757,169
Income tax expense (benefit)	124,250	101,068	367,265	282,994
Net income	207,685	171,164	635,240	474,175
Comprehensive income	208,249	174,269	635,823	486,594
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	86,674	80,476	255,130	242,397
Gross profit	86,674	80,476	255,130	242,397
Selling, general and administrative expenses	78,795	73,160	231,937	220,361
Operating profit	7,879	7,316	23,193	22,036
Interest income	(10,837)	(11,269)	(31,327)	(35,379)
Interest expense	41,599	54,059	143,382	198,097
Other (income) expense	1,728	53	29,956	60,564
Income before income taxes	(24,611)	(35,527)	(118,818)	(201,246)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(11,440)	(12,715)	(60,573)	(73,825)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	220,856	193,976	693,485	601,596
Net income	207,685	171,164	635,240	474,175
Comprehensive income	208,249	174,269	635,823	486,594
GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	3,964,647	3,595,224	11,814,507	10,622,115
Cost of goods sold	2,738,524	2,479,422	8,096,905	7,270,574
Gross profit	1,226,123	1,115,802	3,717,602	3,351,541
Selling, general and administrative expenses	877,237	814,281	2,618,062	2,394,639
Operating profit	348,886	301,521	1,099,540	956,902
Interest income	(9,095)	(7,491)	(27,174)	(17,587)
Interest expense	10,885	8,465	30,234	35,312
Income before income taxes	347,096	300,547	1,096,480	939,177
Income tax expense (benefit)	132,511	111,788	419,557	351,175
Net income	214,585	188,759	676,923	588,002
Comprehensive income	214,585	188,759	676,923	588,002
OTHER SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	24,082	21,340	73,287	62,735
Gross profit	24,082	21,340	73,287	62,735
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,458	19,260	63,093	59,109
Operating profit	4,624	2,080	10,194	3,626
Interest income	(4,836)	(5,146)	(14,676)	(15,640)
Interest expense	10	14	27	28
Income before income taxes	9,450	7,212	24,843	19,238
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,179	1,995	8,281	5,644
Net income	6,271	5,217	16,562	13,594
Comprehensive income	6,271	5,217	16,562	13,594
ELIMINATIONS
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net sales	(110,756)	(101,816)	(328,417)	(305,132)
Gross profit	(110,756)	(101,816)	(328,417)	(305,132)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(110,756)	(101,816)	(328,417)	(305,132)
Interest income	24,768	23,906	73,177	68,606
Interest expense	(24,768)	(23,906)	(73,177)	(68,606)
Equity in subsidiaries' earnings, net of taxes	(220,856)	(193,976)	(693,485)	(601,596)
Net income	(220,856)	(193,976)	(693,485)	(601,596)
Comprehensive income	$ (220,856)	$ (193,976)	$ (693,485)	$ (601,596)