v2.4.0.6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative instruments fair value and Balance Sheet Classification (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 28, 2012	Jan. 28, 2012
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Asset at Fair Value	$ 7,133	$ 0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(23,487)	(36,327)
Short Term Debt October 2012 Notes including Unamortized Gain [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Short Term Debt Unhedged, Carrying Value	326,904	332,617
Short Term Debt October 2012 Notes [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unhedged Fair Value	328,468	339,372
Long Term Debt January 2014 Notes [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unhedged Fair Value	1,680,000	1,721,490
Long-term Debt Unhedged, Carrying Value	1,518,620	1,525,003
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(2,093)	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(18,740)	(21,974)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ (2,654)	$ (14,353)

X

- Definition

The fair value of the unhedged portion of long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_DebtInstrumentUnhedgedFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The carrying value of the unhedged portion of long-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_LongTermDebtUnhedgedCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Short Term Debt Unhedged, Carrying Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	spls_ShortTermDebtUnhedgedCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	spls_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the Company is a party to as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 15

-Paragraph 83

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6913464&loc=d3e34841-113949



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph i

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of all derivative assets designated as interest rate fair value hedging instruments.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateFairValueHedgeAssetAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant