v2.4.0.6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended								3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2011 AUD	Aug. 31, 2011 AUD	Jan. 15, 2009	Jan. 08, 2003 USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap, October 2012 Notes [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 Interest Rate Swap, October 2012 Notes [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Interest Rate Swap, October 2012 Notes [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2011 Interest rate swap, January 2014 Notes [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 Interest rate swap, January 2014 Notes [Member]	Jan. 29, 2011 Interest rate swap, January 2014 Notes [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 16, 2010 Interest rate swap, January 2014 Notes [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2012 Foreign Currency Swap, October 2012 [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2012 Foreign Currency Swap, October 2012 [Member] CAD	Jan. 28, 2012 Foreign Currency Swap, October 2012 [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 29, 2011 Foreign Currency Swap, October 2012 [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2007 Foreign Currency Swap, October 2012 [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2011 May 2011 Australian Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 August 2011 Australian Interest Rate Swap [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 October 2011 Canadian FX Swap - CAD to USD [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 28, 2012 October 2011 Canadian FX Swap - CAD to EUR [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Intercompany Loans Entered into in December 2011 - CAD [Member] CAD	Aug. 31, 2011 August 2011 Australian Intercompany Loan [Member] AUD	Aug. 15, 2011 August 2011 Australian Intercompany Loan [Member]	Oct. 29, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to EUR [Member] CAD	Dec. 15, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to EUR [Member] CAD	Oct. 12, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to EUR [Member]	May 30, 2011 May 2011 Australian Intercompany Loan [Member] AUD	May 04, 2011 May 2011 Australian Intercompany Loan [Member]	Oct. 29, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to USD [Member] CAD	Dec. 15, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to USD [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 06, 2011 October 2011 Canadian Intercompany Loan - CAD to USD [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain Recognized in Income																			$ 0.9	$ 4.1	$ 2.2	$ 2.1
Derivative Amount to be Paid upon Maturity															316.2
Notional Amount of Fair Value Hedge Instruments						325							750
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap								variable			variable
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net									(23.0)			(21.4)
Derivative, Cash Received on Hedge							12.4			30.3
Derivative Instruments, Loss Recognized in Income	(0.3)
Notional Amount of Derivative Instruments Designated as Net Investment Hedges																		300.0
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate Receipt																5.28%
Derivative Amount to be Received upon Maturity		720.0												300.0
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate Payment																5.17%
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Net Investment in Foreign Operations, Assets, Fair Value, Net																14.4	(11.0)
Intercompany Loans																							750.0	75.0		79.5			75.0		118.3
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					9.75%																				6.65%			1.32%		6.65%			1.80%
Investment Foreign Currency, Contract, Amount Purchased			76.4	76.4																							79.5					112.1
Aggregate Fair Value Loss on Foreign Currency Forward		$ (22.0)

X

- Definition

When the derivative or group of derivatives presented is a swap, the type of interest rate (fixed, variable, stepped, etc.) paid on the swap.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

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- Definition

The amount of a currency that the reporting entity is obligated to purchase at settlement.

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- Definition

Aggregate Fair Value Loss on Foreign Currency Forward included in other long-term liabilities.

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- Definition

The amount to be paid upon maturity of the derivative agreement and the basis for the amount of interest payments the entity will be obligated to pay.

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The amount entitled to be received upon maturity of the derivative agreement and the basis for the amount of interest payments the entity will receive.

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- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the derivative contract, at which interest will be paid.

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- Definition

Fixed interest rate related to the derivative contract, at which interest will be received.

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X

- Definition

Loan in which both the lender and the borrower are business units within Staples, Inc.

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No definition available.

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X

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

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-Publisher SEC

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-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



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-Publisher FASB

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-Paragraph 1

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- Definition

The amount of cash received during the period on settlement of a hedge.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of gain recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges, on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, and on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.

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The amount of loss recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges, on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, and on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.

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- Definition

Fair value of all derivatives designated as interest rate fair value hedging instruments.

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Net fair value of all derivatives designated as hedges of net investment in foreign operations.

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Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

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- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives designated as a fair value hedging instrument. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

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