v2.4.0.6

Computation of Earnings per Common Share (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jan. 28, 2012
Computation of Earnings Per Common Share Disclosure [Abstract] |
Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per share | The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for 2011, 2010 and 2009 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
|  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. |  | $ | 984,656 |  |  | $ | 881,948 |  |  | $ | 738,671 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |  | 694,986 |  |  | 715,596 |  |  | 709,744 |
Effect of dilutive securities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Employee stock options, Restricted Shares and Performance Shares |  | 9,033 |  |  | 10,624 |  |  | 12,094 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution |  | 704,019 |  |  | 726,220 |  |  | 721,838 |
Basic earnings per common share |  | $ | 1.42 |  |  | $ | 1.23 |  |  | $ | 1.04 |
Diluted earnings per common share |  | $ | 1.40 |  |  | $ | 1.21 |  |  | $ | 1.02 |

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

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of an entity's basic and diluted earnings per share calculations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration