2.4.0.8023 - Disclosure - Note 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and equipmenttruefalseIn Thousands, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1false USDfalsefalse$c0_AsOf30Jun2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001401688instant2013-06-30T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$c1_AsOf31Dec2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001401688instant2012-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00usdStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 1vitc_PropertyAndEquipmentAbstractvitc_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Property and equipment [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse1285700012857USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse1275900012759USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depreciation of building structures held for productive use including addition, improvement, or renovation to the structure, including, but not limited to, interior masonry, interior flooring, electrical, and plumbing.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 false2Buildings and building improvements3false 2vitc_FurnitureFixturesAndEquipmentGrossvitc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse2684400026844falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2415700024157falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depreciation of equipment commonly used in offices and stores that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building, including, but not limited to, desks, chairs, tables, and bookcases. Also includes amount before accumulated depreciation of tangible personal property used to sell goods, including, but not limited to, fulfillment equipment and tools.No definition available.false2Furniture, fixtures and equipment4false 2vitc_ComputersGrossvitc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse40990004099falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse33870003387falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depreciation of long lived assets that are used in the creation, maintenance and utilization of information systems.No definition available.false2Computers5false 2us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse84560008456falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse77780007778falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated amortization of capitalized costs for computer software, including but not limited to, acquired and internally developed computer software.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 false2Software6false 2us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse28040002804falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse26700002670falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depreciation of additions or improvements to assets held under a lease arrangement.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 false2Leasehold improvements7false 2us-gaap_Landus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse460000460falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse460000460falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depletion of real estate held for productive use, excluding land held for sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false2Land8false 2us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse5552000055520falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5121100051211falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 false29false 2us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedLabel1truefalsefalse-24318000-24318falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-21045000-21045falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 14 -Article 5 false2Less accumulated depreciation10false 2vitc_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentExcludingConstructionInProgressNetvitc_falsedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotalLabel1truefalsefalse3120200031202falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3016600030166falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryNo authoritative reference available.No definition available.true211false 2us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGrossus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabel1truefalsefalse24070002407falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse33250003325falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of structure or a modification to a structure under construction. Includes recently completed structures or modifications to structures that have not been placed into service.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 false2Construction-in-progress12false 2us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetus-gaap_truedebitinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotalLabel1truefalsefalse3360900033609USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse3349100033491USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 true2falseNote 4 - Property and Equipment (Details) - Property and equipment (USD $)ThousandsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.vitacost.com/role/PropertyandequipmentTable212