POTENTIAL MERGER (Details) (Potential Merger, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 17, 2013
Unsecured revolving credit facility
Potential merger
Existing unsecured revolving credit facility	$ 2,000
Bridge Loan Agreement
Potential merger
Maximum borrowing capacity	850
Maturity period of bridge loan after closing	364 days
Percentage of funding fee paid to each lender of such lender's loan advance on the closing date of the financing	0.50%
Annual ticking fee (as a percent)	0.15%
Maximum leverage ratio	3.50
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	1.70
Bridge Loan Agreement | LIBOR
Potential merger
Debt instrument variable basis rate	three-month LIBOR
Increase in applicable margin of interest rate (as a percent)	0.25%
Period of increase in applicable margin in interest rate after funding	90 days
Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc.
Potential merger
Merger cost	$ 2,500
Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. | Bridge Loan Agreement
Potential merger
Duration fees on loan amounts outstanding on 90th day following the closing (as a percent)	0.50%
Duration fees on loan amounts outstanding on 180th day following the closing (as a percent)	0.75%
Duration fees on loan amounts outstanding on 270th day following the closing (as a percent)	1.00%