v2.4.0.6

Acquisition Reserves (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Jan. 28, 2012 | Jan. 29, 2011 | Jul. 23, 2008
Integration and Restructuring Costs and Acquisition Reserves [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ 41,967 | $ 68,799 | $ 181,000
Utilization | (8,627) | (25,615) |
Adjustments | (8,435) |  |
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | (1,113) | (1,217) |
Balance at the end of the period | 23,792 | 41,967 | 181,000
Transaction costs [Member] |  |  |
Integration and Restructuring Costs and Acquisition Reserves [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period | 543 | 807 |
Utilization | (119) | (264) |
Adjustments | (424) |  |
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | 0 | 0 |
Balance at the end of the period | 0 | 543 |
Employee Severance [Member] |  |  |
Integration and Restructuring Costs and Acquisition Reserves [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period | 11,793 | 28,843 |
Utilization | (3,911) | (16,206) |
Adjustments | (5,231) |  |
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | (960) | (844) |
Balance at the end of the period | 1,691 | 11,793 |
Facility Closing [Member] |  |  |
Integration and Restructuring Costs and Acquisition Reserves [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period | 20,287 | 28,390 |
Utilization | (3,898) | (7,973) |
Adjustments | (600) |  |
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | (28) | (130) |
Balance at the end of the period | 15,761 | 20,287 |
Other Expenses [Member] |  |  |
Integration and Restructuring Costs and Acquisition Reserves [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the period | 9,344 | 10,759 |
Utilization | (699) | (1,172) |
Adjustments | (2,180) |  |
Foreign Exchange Fluctuations | (125) | (243) |
Balance at the end of the period | $ 6,340 | $ 9,344 |

X
- Definition The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with a business combination. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | spls_BusinessCombinationReserve
Namespace Prefix: | spls_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of business combination cost. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | spls_BusinessCombinationReserveSettledWithCash
Namespace Prefix: | spls_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of foreign currency translation adjustment increasing or decreasing the accrual for a specified type of business combination cost. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | spls_BusinessCombinationReserveTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | spls_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | spls_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-3 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 40 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394291&loc=d3e17658-110867 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 146 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration