Commitments and contingencies (Details) (Pending litigation, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2010 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter") person	Aug. 02, 2013 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter")	Aug. 10, 2013 Cynthia Richter, et al. v. Dolgencorp, Inc ("Richter")	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	Feb. 01, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc.	Nov. 01, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc.	Aug. 02, 2013 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc. item	Apr. 09, 2012 Jonathan Marcum v. Dolgencorp. Inc. person
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
Amount accrued for loss contingency		8.5				1.8
Number of Plaintiffs whose conditional offer of employment was rescinded									1
Approximate number of stores co-located with one of the plaintiffs' stores				55
Expected amount sought by plaintiffs			$ 8.5	$ 47.0
Number of stores for which the court did not dismiss the claims for injunctive relief					4
Number of formal settlement discussions								3