Summary of Company-Operated Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Store activity (Detail) (Sales and Lease Ownership)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Store	Dec. 31, 2010 Store	Dec. 31, 2009 Store
Sales and Lease Ownership
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Company-operated stores open at January 1,	1,146	1,082	1,037
Opened	57	86	85
Added through acquisition	8	14	19
Closed, sold or merged	(51)	(36)	(59)
Company-operated stores open at December 31,	1,160	1,146	1,082