v2.4.0.6

Pension and Other Retirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Funded Status

The following table presents a summary of the total projected benefit obligation for the pension plans, the fair value of plan assets and the associated funded status recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011 (in thousands):

		January 28, 2012												January 29, 2011
		Projected Benefit Obligations				Fair Value of Plan Assets				Funded Status				Projected Benefit Obligations				Fair Value of Plan Assets				Funded Status
Overfunded Plans:
International Plans		$	(779,248	)		$	962,428			$	183,180			$	(780,928	)		$	963,404			$	182,476
Total Overfunded Plans		$	(779,248	)		$	962,428			$	183,180			$	(780,928	)		$	963,404			$	182,476
Underfunded Plans:
U.S. Plans		$	(38,618	)		$	29,640			$	(8,978	)		$	(33,431	)		$	28,451			$	(4,980	)
International Plans		(136,542		)		102,241				(34,301		)		(130,314		)		99,415				(30,899		)
Total Underfunded Plans		$	(175,160	)		$	131,881			$	(43,279	)		$	(163,745	)		$	127,866			$	(35,879	)

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The following tables present a summary of the total net cost recorded in the consolidated statement of income for the pension and post-retirement life insurance benefit plans for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

		2011
		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plan
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Service cost		$	—			$	9,987			$	9,987			$	1,765
Interest cost		1,864				42,934				44,798				1,479
Expected return on plan assets		(1,686		)		(58,903		)		(60,589		)		—
Amortization of actuarial losses		—				1,461				1,461				1,716
Net periodic pension expense (income)		$	178			$	(4,521	)		$	(4,343	)		$	4,960

		2010
		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plan
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Service cost		$	—			$	10,717			$	10,717			$	895
Interest cost		1,841				37,718				39,559				695
Expected return on plan assets		(1,735		)		(61,361		)		(63,096		)		—
Amortization of actuarial losses		2				3,991				3,993				—
Net periodic pension expense (income)		$	108			$	(8,935	)		$	(8,827	)		$	1,590

		2009
		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plan
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Service cost		$	—			$	9,641			$	9,641			$	—
Interest cost		1,868				47,962				49,830				—
Expected return on plan assets		(1,507		)		(57,531		)		(59,038		)		—
Amortization of actuarial losses		—				9,328				9,328				—
Net periodic pension expense		$	361			$	9,400			$	9,761			$	—

Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations

The following table presents the changes in benefit obligations during 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plans
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Projected benefit obligation at January 30, 2010		$	32,178			$	903,807			$	935,985			$	—
Service cost		—				10,717				10,717				895
Interest cost		1,841				37,718				39,559				695
Plan participants' contributions		—				1,427				1,427				—
Actuarial losses		761				22,049				22,810				—
Benefits paid		(1,349		)		(47,551		)		(48,900		)		—
Prior service cost		—				—				—				23,691
Other		—				(3,202		)		(3,202		)		—
Currency translation adjustments		—				(13,723		)		(13,723		)		—
Projected benefit obligation at January 29, 2011		$	33,431			$	911,242			$	944,673			$	25,281
Service cost		—				9,987				9,987				1,765
Interest cost		1,864				42,934				44,798				1,479
Plan participants' contributions		—				1,455				1,455				—
Actuarial losses		4,816				37,388				42,204				9,264
Benefits paid		(1,493		)		(55,668		)		(57,161		)		(491		)
Other		—				11,031				11,031				—
Currency translation adjustments		—				(42,579		)		(42,579		)		—
Projected benefit obligation at January 28, 2012		$	38,618			$	915,790			$	954,408			$	37,298

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets

The following table presents the changes in pension plan assets for each of the defined benefit pension plans during 2010 and 2011 (in thousands):

		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total
Fair value of plan assets at January 30, 2010		$	24,836			$	995,957			$	1,020,793
Actual return on plan assets		3,760				116,697				120,457
Employer's contributions		1,206				13,504				14,710
Plan participants' contributions		—				1,427				1,427
Benefits paid		(1,349		)		(47,551		)		(48,900		)
Amortization of unrecognized losses		(2		)		(3,991		)		(3,993		)
Currency translation adjustments		—				(13,224		)		(13,224		)
Fair value of plan assets at January 29, 2011		$	28,451			$	1,062,819			$	1,091,270
Actual return on plan assets		1,521				85,889				87,410
Employer's contributions		1,161				10,987				12,148
Plan participants' contributions		—				1,455				1,455
Benefits paid		(1,493		)		(55,668		)		(57,161		)
Other		—				11,031				11,031
Amortization of unrecognized losses		—				(1,461		)		(1,461		)
Currency translation adjustments		—				(50,383		)		(50,383		)
Fair value of plan assets at January 28, 2012		$	29,640			$	1,064,669			$	1,094,309

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consist of the following (in thousands):

		January 28, 2012
		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plans
																	U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Prepaid benefit cost (included in other assets)		$	—			$	183,180			$	183,180			$	—
Accrued benefit liability (included in other long-term obligations)		(8,978		)		(34,301		)		(43,279		)		(37,298		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		7,638				119,377				127,015				30,389
Net amount recognized		$	(1,340	)		$	268,256			$	266,916			$	(6,909	)

		January 29, 2011
		Pension Plans												Post-retirement Benefit Plans
																	U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total				Total
Prepaid benefit cost (included in other assets)		$	—			$	182,476			$	182,476			$	—
Accrued benefit liability (included in other long-term obligations)		(4,980		)		(30,899		)		(35,879		)		(25,281		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		2,655				105,613				108,268				21,616
Net amount recognized		$	(2,325	)		$	257,190			$	254,865			$	(3,665	)

Schedule of Assumptions Used

The following table presents the assumptions used to measure the net periodic cost and the year-end benefit obligations for the defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans for 2011, 2010 and 2009:

		2011
		Pension Plans						Post-retirement Benefit Plan
		U.S. Plans			International Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure net periodic pension cost:
Discount rate		5.7	%		4.8	%		4.9	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.0	%		6.4	%		—	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		2.2	%		3.0	%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure benefit obligations at year-end:
Discount rate		4.7	%		4.3	%		4.9	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		2.1	%		3.0	%
Rate of pension increase		—	%		1.1	%		—	%

		2010
		Pension Plans						Post-retirement Benefit Plan
		U.S. Plans			International Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure net periodic pension cost:
Discount rate		5.9	%		4.6	%		5.9	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.0	%		6.4	%		—	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		2.2	%		3.0	%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure benefit obligations at year-end:
Discount rate		5.7	%		4.8	%		5.9	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		2.1	%		3.0	%
Rate of pension increase		—	%		1.1	%		—	%

		2009
		Pension Plans
		U.S. Plans			International Plans
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure net periodic pension cost:
Discount rate		6.8	%		5.8	%
Expected return on plan assets		7.0	%		6.4	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		3.0	%
Weighted-average assumptions used to measure benefit obligations at year-end:
Discount rate		5.9	%		4.5	%
Rate of compensation increase		—	%		2.1	%
Rate of pension increase		—	%		1.1	%

Schedule Of Change In Discount Rate And Other Assumptions

The following table shows the effect on pension obligations at January 28, 2012 of a change in discount rate and other assumptions (in thousands):

		Change in Discount Rate
		(.25%)				No change				0.25%
Change in rate of compensation increase:
(.25%)		$	26,074			$	(1,616	)		$	(27,452	)
No change		27,563				—				(26,087		)
0.25%		29,412				1,580				(24,763		)
Change in rate of pension increase:
(.25%)		$	4,792			$	(21,879	)		$	(46,810	)
No change		27,563				—				(26,087		)
0.25%		51,876				22,930				(4,517		)

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets as a Percentage

The Company's pension plans' actual and target asset allocations at January 28, 2012 and January 29, 2011 are as follows:

		January 28, 2012
		Actual									Target
		U.S. Plans			International Plans			Total			U.S. Plans			International Plans			Total
Asset allocation:
Equity securities		36	%		31	%		31	%		40	%		39	%		39	%
Debt securities		57	%		49	%		49	%		60	%		47	%		47	%
Real estate		7	%		8	%		8	%		—	%		8	%		8	%
Cash		—	%		5	%		5	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Other		—	%		7	%		7	%		—	%		6	%		6	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

		January 29, 2011
		Actual									Target
		U.S. Plans			International Plans			Total			U.S. Plans			International Plans			Total
Asset allocation:
Equity securities		41	%		33	%		33	%		36	%		39	%		39	%
Debt securities		59	%		49	%		49	%		64	%		48	%		48	%
Real estate		—	%		9	%		9	%		—	%		7	%		7	%
Cash		—	%		3	%		3	%		—	%		—	%		—	%
Other		—	%		6	%		6	%		—	%		6	%		6	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets

The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets at January 28, 2012 by asset category are as follows (in thousands):

		U.S. Pension Plans
Asset Category:		Fair Market Value				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1				Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2				Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Equity securities(1)		$	10,731			$	10,731			$	—			$	—
Debt securities(2)		16,703				6,765				—				9,938
Real estate(3)		2,206				2,206				—				—
Total		$	29,640			$	19,702			$	—			$	9,938

		International Pension Plans
Asset Category:		Fair Market Value				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1				Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2				Unobservable Inputs Level 3
Equity securities(1)		$	323,373			$	295,455			$	27,918			$	—
Debt securities(2)		524,357				517,346				7,011				—
Real estate(3)		88,871				80,824				8,047				—
Cash		56,980				56,980				—				—
Other(4)		71,088				15,026				56,062				—
Total		$	1,064,669			$	965,631			$	99,038			$	—

(1) This category includes investments in equity securities of large, small and medium sized companies in the U.S. and in foreign companies, including those in developing countries. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(2) This category includes investments in investment grade fixed income instrument, U.S. dollar denominated debt securities of emerging market issuers and high yield fixed-income securities that are rated below investment grade. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is issued to value the fund.

(3) This category includes investments in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The funds are valued using the net asset value method in which an average of the market prices for the underlying investments is used to value the fund.

(4) This category includes commodities of approximately $49.9 million and non-separated investments with insurance companies of approximately $13.1 million.

Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets

The change in the fair value for the pension assets valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) was due to the following:

	U.S. Plans
Balance at January 29, 2011	$	10,129
Actual Return on Plan Assets:
Relating to assets still held at the reporting date	536
Relating to assets sold during the period	—
Purchases, sales and settlements	(727		)
Balance at January 28, 2012	$	9,938

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments

The following table presents the expected benefit payments to pension plan participants for the next five years, and the aggregate for the following five years (in thousands):

		Pension Plans
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total
2012		$	1,674			$	52,766			$	54,440
2013		1,718				52,025				53,743
2014		1,827				52,621				54,448
2015		1,941				53,361				55,302
2016		2,045				52,907				54,952
2017-2021		11,974				258,290				270,264

Schedule Of Expected Contributions

The following table presents, based on current assumptions, the Company's expected contributions for the next five years and the aggregate for the following five years (in thousands):

		Pension Plans
		U.S. Plans				International Plans				Total
2012		$	1,366			$	13,341			$	14,707
2013		1,483				13,715				15,198
2014		1,483				13,771				15,254
2015		1,465				13,860				15,325
2016		1,465				14,242				15,707
2017-2021		5,804				76,274				82,078

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the major categories of plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans as a percentage of total assets. This information may include, but is not limited to, the target allocation of plan assets, the fair value of each major category of plan assets, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_ScheduleOfAllocationOfPlanAssetsAsPercentageTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Schedule Of Change In Discount Rate And Other Assumptions [Table Text Block]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_ScheduleOfChangeInDiscountRateAndOtherAssumptionsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Schedule Of Expected Contributions [Table Text Block]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_ScheduleOfExpectedContributionsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CompensationAndRetirementDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the major categories of plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans. This information may include, but is not limited to, the target allocation of plan assets, the fair value of each major category of plan assets, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (d)(5)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAllocationOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the amounts that are recognized in the balance sheet (or statement of financial position) for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans, showing separately the assets and current and noncurrent liabilities (if applicable) recognized.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Subparagraph (c)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the assumptions used to determine for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans the benefit obligation and net benefit cost, including assumed discount rates, rate increase in compensation increase, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (k)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the fair value of plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans showing separately, if applicable, the effects during the period attributable to each of the following: actual return on plan assets, foreign currency exchange rate changes, contributions by the employer, contributions by plan participants, benefits paid, business combinations, divestitures, and settlements.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (b)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangesInFairValueOfPlanAssetsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the change in the benefit obligation of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans from the beginning to the end of the period, showing separately, if applicable, the effects of the following: service cost, interest cost, contributions by plan participants, actuarial gains and losses, foreign currency exchange rate changes, benefits paid, plan amendments, business combinations, divestitures, curtailments, settlements, and special and contractual termination benefits.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (a)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on changes in plan assets of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans for the period.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (d)(4)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEffectOfSignificantUnobservableInputsChangesInPlanAssetsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of benefits expected to be paid by pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans in each of the next five fiscal years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (f)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfExpectedBenefitPaymentsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the components of net benefit costs for pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans including service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) recognized due to settlements or curtailments.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (h)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfNetBenefitCostsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of net funded status of pension plans and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

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

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Publisher FASB

-Number

-Article

-Subparagraph (c)

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Paragraph 1

-Section 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfNetFundedStatusTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration