Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 01, 2012	Feb. 25, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility	$ 115	$ 55
Other	49	52
Net discount on debt	(232)	(216)
Capital lease obligations	1,116	1,096
Total debt and capital lease obligations	6,439	6,256
Less current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(259)	(388)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	6,180	5,868
8.00% Secured Term Loan Facility due August 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	848
2.23% to 4.25% Revolving ABL Credit Facility due August 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	636
3.74% to 5.00% Revolving Credit Facility and Variable Rate Notes due April 2015 - April 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due		1,074
8.00% Notes due May 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	1,000	1,000
7.45% Debentures due August 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	650	650
7.50% Notes due November 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	490	490
6.34% to 7.15% Medium Term Notes due July 2012 - June 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	434	440
8.00% Debentures due May 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	400	400
8.00% Debentures due June 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	272	272
8.70% Debentures due May 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	225	225
7.75% Debentures due June 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	200	200
7.25% Notes due May 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	140	140
7.90% Debentures due May 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	96	96
7.50% Notes due May 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due		$ 282

Accounts receivable securitization facility, current.

No definition available.

Name:	svu_CurrentAccountsReceivableSecuritizationFacility
Namespace Prefix:	svu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Senior secured credit facilities remaining portion.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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+ Details

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

+ References

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section H

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- Definition

Obligation related to long-term debt (excluding convertible debt) and capital leases, the portion which is due in one year or less in the future.

+ References

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- Definition

Including both current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of other forms of debt not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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