| Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block] |
The following table reflects the changes in stockholders’ equity attributed to Staples, Inc. and its noncontrolling interests for the first half of 2012 and 2011 (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Attributable to Staples, Inc. | | Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | | Total | Stockholders' equity at January 28, 2012 | $ | 7,015,151 |
| | $ | 7,062 |
| | $ | 7,022,213 |
| Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Net income | 307,488 |
| | (80 | ) | | 307,408 |
| Other Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net | (203,879 | ) | | 66 |
| | (203,813 | ) | Changes in fair value of derivatives, net (1) | 8,831 |
| | — |
| | 8,831 |
| Comprehensive Income | 112,440 |
| | (14 | ) | | 112,426 |
| Issuance of common stock for stock options exercised | 24,259 |
| | — |
| | 24,259 |
| Stock-based compensation | 63,130 |
| | — |
| | 63,130 |
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | (4,649 | ) | | — |
| | (4,649 | ) | Cash dividends paid | (148,545 | ) | | — |
| | (148,545 | ) | Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements | 179 |
| | — |
| | 179 |
| Purchase of treasury stock, net | (271,993 | ) | | — |
| | (271,993 | ) | Other | (267 | ) | | — |
| | (267 | ) | Stockholders' equity at July 28, 2012 | $ | 6,789,705 |
| | $ | 7,048 |
| | $ | 6,796,753 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Attributable to Staples, Inc. | | Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | | Total | Stockholders' equity at January 29, 2011 | $ | 6,943,710 |
| | $ | 7,471 |
| | $ | 6,951,181 |
| Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Net income | 374,683 |
| | (701 | ) | | 373,982 |
| Other Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net | 200,546 |
| | 206 |
| | 200,752 |
| Changes in fair value of derivatives, net (1) | (13,557 | ) | | — |
| | (13,557 | ) | Comprehensive Income | 561,672 |
| | (495 | ) | | 561,177 |
| Issuance of common stock for stock options exercised | 31,559 |
| | — |
| | 31,559 |
| Stock-based compensation | 81,470 |
| | — |
| | 81,470 |
| Cash dividends paid | (140,643 | ) | | — |
| | (140,643 | ) | Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements | 942 |
| | — |
| | 942 |
| Purchase of treasury stock, net | (365,203 | ) | | — |
| | (365,203 | ) | Other | (831 | ) | | — |
| | (831 | ) | Stockholders' equity at July 30, 2011 | $ | 7,112,676 |
| | $ | 6,976 |
| | $ | 7,119,652 |
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