ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012 M Y	Jan. 29, 2011	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011	Aug. 01, 2009 entity
Acquisitions
Net sales	$ 1,286,910,000	$ 1,114,449,000	$ 2,504,338,000	$ 2,167,416,000
Wholesale
Acquisitions
Net sales	1,273,400,000	1,099,960,000	2,476,482,000	2,139,735,000
Other
Acquisitions
Net sales	34,987,000	39,233,000	77,455,000	83,606,000
Increase to intangible assets in recognition of ongoing contingent consideration payments	100,000
Number of branded product companies acquired for which ongoing contingent consideration payments in the form of royalties are recognized (in entities)					2
Number of branded product companies included in other segment (in entities)					3
Period over which contingent consideration payments are required in the form of earn-outs (in years)	5
Number of trailing months (in months)	12
Contingent consideration paid				100,000
Other | Minimum
Acquisitions
Ongoing contingent consideration payments in the form of royalties as a percentage of net sales	2.00%
Other | Maximum
Acquisitions
Ongoing contingent consideration payments in the form of royalties as a percentage of net sales	4.00%
Whole Foods Distribution | Wholesale
Acquisitions
Net sales			25,400,000
Incremental annual revenues		40,400,000
Specialty food distribution
Acquisitions
Cash consideration paid	2,600,000		2,600,000
Identifiable intangible assets	1,600,000		1,600,000
Estimated useful life			9.7
Potential earn-outs	$ 1,950,000		$ 1,950,000