v2.4.0.6
Guarantor Subsidiaries (Income Statement) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2012
Apr. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income    
Sales $ 6,104,825 $ 6,172,938
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 4,495,110 4,536,545
Gross profit 1,609,715 1,636,393
Operating (income) expense 1,332,658 1,334,588
Consolidated income before income taxes 277,057 301,805
Income tax expense 90,044 104,123
Consolidated net income 187,013 197,682
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests (46) (563)
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 187,059 198,245
Consolidated Comprehensive Income 208,955 502,053
Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 101 (447)
Comprehensive income attributed to Staples, Inc. 208,854 502,500
Staples, Inc. (Parent Co.)
    
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income    
Sales 0 0
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 2,508 2,514
Gross profit (2,508) (2,514)
Operating (income) expense (189,567) (200,759)
Consolidated income before income taxes 187,059 198,245
Income tax expense 0 0
Consolidated net income 187,059 198,245
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 187,059 198,245
Consolidated Comprehensive Income 208,854 502,500
Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0
Comprehensive income attributed to Staples, Inc. 208,854 502,500
Guarantor Subsidiaries
    
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income    
Sales 3,789,474 3,758,648
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 2,826,764 2,798,049
Gross profit 962,710 960,599
Operating (income) expense 756,544 749,360
Consolidated income before income taxes 206,166 211,239
Income tax expense 86,972 91,209
Consolidated net income 119,194 120,030
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 119,194 120,030
Consolidated Comprehensive Income 119,194 120,030
Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0
Comprehensive income attributed to Staples, Inc. 119,194 120,030
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
    
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income    
Sales 2,315,351 2,414,290
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 1,665,838 1,735,982
Gross profit 649,513 678,308
Operating (income) expense 561,680 554,651
Consolidated income before income taxes 87,833 123,657
Income tax expense 3,072 12,914
Consolidated net income 84,761 110,743
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests (46) (563)
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 84,807 111,306
Consolidated Comprehensive Income 109,495 477,005
Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 101 (447)
Comprehensive income attributed to Staples, Inc. 109,394 477,452
Eliminations
    
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income    
Sales 0   
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 0   
Gross profit 0 0
Operating (income) expense 204,001 231,336
Consolidated income before income taxes (204,001) (231,336)
Income tax expense 0 0
Consolidated net income (204,001) (231,336)
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. (204,001) (231,336)
Consolidated Comprehensive Income (228,588) (597,482)
Comprehensive income attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0
Comprehensive income attributed to Staples, Inc. $ (228,588) $ (597,482)