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Stockholders' Equity
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Disclosure [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity
Repurchase Program
On June 7, 2010, the Company resumed the share repurchase program which went into effect in the second quarter of 2007 (the "2007 Repurchase Plan"), allowing for the repurchase of $1.5 billion of Staples' common stock. Under the 2007 Repurchase Plan, a total of $1.28 billion was used to repurchase shares and $218.4 million was remaining when the plan was terminated and replaced by a new program in September 2011.
On September 13, 2011, the Company announced a new repurchase program that had been approved by the Board of Directors in September 2011 (the "2011 Repurchase Plan"). Under the 2011 Repurchase Plan, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of common stock in both open market and privately negotiated transactions. The program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Under the 2011 Repurchase Plan, a total of $182.5 million was used to repurchase 12.6 million shares as of January 28, 2012. The Company has the authority to repurchase up to $1.32 billion under the share repurchase program as of January 28, 2012.

Outstanding Shares

The following summarizes the activity related to our outstanding shares (in thousands):
 
 
January 28, 2012
 
January 29, 2011
 
January 30, 2010
Outstanding at beginning of fiscal year
 
709,458

 
718,010

 
704,907

Repurchases
 
(37,315
)
 
(17,817
)
 
—

Releases
 
3,387

 
3,574

 
2,988

Issuance of stock for exercises of common stock options and sales under Employee Stock Purchase Plans
 
7,081

 
5,691

 
10,115

Outstanding at end of fiscal year
 
682,611

 
709,458

 
718,010