Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011	Apr. 02, 2010
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Description of defined contribution plan	The PSS World Medical, Inc. Savings Plan (the “Plan”) provides an opportunity for tax-deferred savings, enabling eligible employees to invest in a variety of investments, including an interest in the common stock of the Company. Employees become eligible to participate in the Plan upon the completion of 30 days of service. Employees may elect to defer up to 85% but not less than 1% of their compensation to the Plan, subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 50% of the employee deferrals up to 6% of their compensation or (ii) $1,750, previously $1,250 in fiscal years ended April 1, 2011 and April 2, 2010. This match can be invested in various mutual funds or the common stock of the Company at the discretion of the participant and vests over a six-year period.
Defined contribution plan, employer contributions, terms	The Company matches an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 50% of the employee deferrals up to 6% of their compensation or (ii) $1,750, previously $1,250 in fiscal years ended April 1, 2011 and April 2, 2010. This match can be invested in various mutual funds or the common stock of the Company at the discretion of the participant and vests over a six-year period.
Defined contribution plan, employer contributions	$ 2,574	$ 1,914	$ 1,821
Defined contribution plan, employer securities owned by plan	1,100,000	1,200,000	1,500,000
Employee stock purchase plan, requisite service period	six months
Management, Excluding Directors [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred compensation arrangements, overall, description	The Company offers a deferred compensation program (the “Program”) to qualified executives, management, and sales representatives. The Program is a nonqualified plan governed by Sec. 409 of the IRS internal revenue code and consists of a deferred compensation plan and also previously consisted of a stock option program. Under the deferred compensation plan, participants can elect to defer up to 100% of their total compensation; however, the Company matching contribution program only applies to deferrals of up to 10% or 15% of the participant’s compensation. The Company’s matching contribution ranges from 10% to 125% of the participant’s deferral. Participant contributions are always 100% vested. The Company’s matching contribution vests in 20% increments beginning after participating in the plan for four years and becomes fully vested after participating in the plan for eight years.
Deferred compensation arrangements, distribution terms	Upon (i) retirement or termination from the Company and (ii) at age 60, or at age 55 with ten years of participation in the Program, the retirement benefit is distributed to participants in five equal annual installments, or in a lump sum payment if the vested account balance is less than $25. The retirement benefit is distributed in a lump sum upon death and over five years upon disability. In the event of termination of employment, 100% of the participant’s vested balance will be distributed in five equal installments or in a lump-sum payment if the vested account balance is less than $25. In the event of a change in control, if the successor terminates the plan, all participants become 100% vested in their accounts, including the Company’s matching contributions, discretionary Company contributions, and allocated return thereon.
Deferred compensation arrangement with individual, employer contribution	2,267	2,230	1,919
Cash surrender value of life insurance	99,162	89,132
Deferred compensation liability	$ 94,394	$ 84,165
Directors [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred compensation arrangements, overall, description	Effective January 1, 2004, the Company offers a deferred compensation plan to non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Participants may elect to defer up to 100% of their annual retainer, meeting fees, other director’s fees, and other cash compensation and invest their deferrals in a variety of investment options.
Deferred compensation arrangements, distribution terms	A participant's deferred compensation account balance will be distributed, at the election of the participant, in a single lump sum payment following the participant's termination of service on the board of directors, or in up to ten annual installments. The deferred compensation account balance will be distributed in a lump sum payment upon the death of the participant, or in the event of a change in control of the Company.