v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jan. 28, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill | The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill during the year ended January 28, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
|  | Goodwill at January 29, 2011 |  | 2011 Net Additions |  | 2011 Adjustments |  | 2011 Foreign Exchange Fluctuations |  | Goodwill at January 28, 2012
North American Delivery |  | $ | 1,586,397 |  |  | $ | 1,776 |  |  | $ | (2,664 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,585,509 |
North American Retail |  | 289,400 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (321 | ) |  | 289,079 |
International Operations |  | 2,197,365 |  |  | — |  |  | (3,515 | ) |  | (86,308 | ) |  | 2,107,542 |
Consolidated |  | $ | 4,073,162 |  |  | $ | 1,776 |  |  | $ | (6,179 | ) |  | $ | (86,629 | ) |  | $ | 3,982,130 |
Schedule of intangible assets | The Company's intangible assets are summarized below (in thousands):
|  | Weighted Average Amortization Period |  | January 28, 2012 |  | January 29, 2011
|  |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net
Customer relationships |  | 12.3 years |  | $ | 678,608 |  |  | $ | (260,870 | ) |  | $ | 417,738 |  |  | $ | 689,861 |  |  | $ | (209,442 | ) |  | $ | 480,419 |
Tradenames |  | 8.1 years |  | 248,714 |  |  | (216,671 | ) |  | 32,043 |  |  | 251,765 |  |  | (209,462 | ) |  | 42,303 |
Total |  | 11.9 years |  | $ | 927,322 |  |  | $ | (477,541 | ) |  | $ | 449,781 |  |  | $ | 941,626 |  |  | $ | (418,904 | ) |  | $ | 522,722 |
Schedule of estimated future amortization expense associated with intangible assets | Estimated future amortization expense associated with the intangible assets at January 28, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
2012 | $ | 59,935 |
2013 | 59,419 |
2014 | 59,186 |
2015 | 57,643 |
2016 | 47,219 |
Thereafter | 166,379 |
| $ | 449,781 |
Schedule of difference between carrying value and fair value of notes | The following table reflects the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the unhedged portion of these notes as of January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011 (in thousands):
|  | January 28, 2012 |  | January 29, 2011
|  | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value
October 2012 Notes |  | $ | 332,617 |  |  | $ | 339,372 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
January 2014 Notes |  | 1,525,003 |  |  | 1,721,490 |  |  | 750,000 |  |  | 915,450 |
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis | The following table shows the Company's other assets and liabilities as of January 28, 2012 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Level 1 |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 |  | Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | 468,913 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative liabilities |  | — |  |  | $ | (36,418 | ) |  | — |

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

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such certain disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate) and (2) the methodology and assumptions used in developing such estimates of fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph a -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 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph b-d -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 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13476-108611 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 10 -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 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13467-108611 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6447952&loc=d3e13220-108610 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 18 -Subparagraph c(2), d, e, f -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 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph a, c(1), c(2), c(3), d -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 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a, b, c(1), d(1) -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
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the five succeeding fiscal years. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Publisher FASB -Number -Article -Subparagraph (a) -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Paragraph 2 -Section 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfExpectedAmortizationExpenseTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of assets and liabilities, including [financial] instruments measured at fair value that are classified in stockholders' equity, if any, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The disclosures contemplated herein include the fair value measurements at the reporting date by the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall, segregating fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Publisher FASB -Number -Article -Subparagraph -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Paragraph 1 -Section 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19190-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of amortizable intangibles assets, in total and by major class, including the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a -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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16265-109275 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13854-109267 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph c -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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e -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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 47 -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
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration