DOCUMENT AND ENITY INFORMATION (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Apr. 11, 2013 Class A Voting Common Stock [Member]	Apr. 11, 2013 Class B Non Voting Common Stock [Member]
Entity Registrant Name	FREDS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000724571
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	FRED
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding			36,706,031	0
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 02, 2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$ 536