Commitments and contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2010 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter") person	May 27, 2011 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC item	Aug. 10, 2012 Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., et al. v. Dolgencorp, LLC item	May 03, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc.	Feb. 01, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc.	Apr. 09, 2012 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc. person	May 03, 2013 Commission cause finding related to the criminal background check policy item
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
Self insured retention under Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)				$ 2
Accrued reserve up to self insured retention					1.8
Number of Plaintiffs whose conditional offer of employment was rescinded						1
Lawsuits filed to date							0
Approximate number of stores co-located with one of the plaintiffs' stores		55
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs		$ 47
Number of stores for which the court did not dismiss the claims for injunctive relief			4