Summary Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Company-Operated Stores' Intangible Assets (Detail) (Sales and Lease Ownership, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Customer relationship intangibles
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset	$ 3,698	$ 6,675	$ 8,267
Intangible asset, accumulated amortization	(1,827)	(5,719)	(6,406)
Acquired franchise development rights
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset	1,227	2,814	3,561
Intangible asset, accumulated amortization	(307)	(862)	(938)
Non-compete intangibles
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset	2,133	1,402	861
Intangible asset, accumulated amortization	$ (906)	$ (478)	$ (145)