Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2012	Sep. 07, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ALCO STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000030302
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-03
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Public Float			$ 43,038,744
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,724,875
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 29, 2012