Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Sep. 08, 2012	Feb. 25, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility	$ 150	$ 55
Other	49	52
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	(236)	(216)
Capital lease obligations	1,130	1,096
Total debt and capital lease obligations	6,314	6,256
Less current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(250)	(388)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	6,064	5,868
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Minimum	6.28%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Maximum	8.97%
8.00% Secured Term Loan Facility due August 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	850
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	8.00%
2.23% to 4.25% Revolving ABL Credit Facility due August 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	464
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Minimum	2.23%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Maximum	4.25%
3.74% to 5.00% Revolving Credit Facility and Variable Rate Notes due April 2015 - April 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due		1,074
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Minimum	3.74%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Maximum	5.00%
8.00% Notes due May 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	8.00%
7.45% Debentures due August 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	650	650
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.45%
7.50% Notes due November 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	490	490
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.50%
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
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Minimum	6.34%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Maximum	7.15%
8.00% Debentures due June 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	272	272
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	8.00%
7.50% Notes due May 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due		282
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.50%
8.70% Debentures due May 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	225	225
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	8.70%
7.75% Debentures due June 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	200	200
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.75%
7.25% Notes due May 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	140	140
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.25%
7.90% Debentures due May 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	96	96
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	7.90%
8.00% Debentures due May 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long Term Debentures and Notes due	$ 400	$ 400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate	8.00%

Accounts receivable securitization facility, current.

No definition available.

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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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Balance Type:	credit
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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

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

+ Details

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- 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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Details

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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

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ 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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-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

+ Details

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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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