Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011	Sep. 02, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BIG LOTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000768835
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,552,291
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2011