Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Mar. 21, 2012	Jul. 30, 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 Public Float			$ 2,376,326,661
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		65,754,099
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2012