v2.4.0.6
Guarantor Subsidiaries (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Jul. 28, 2012
Jan. 28, 2012
Jul. 30, 2011
Jan. 29, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 984,666 $ 1,264,149 $ 823,124 $ 1,461,257
Merchandise inventories, net 2,629,598 2,431,845    
Other current assets 2,507,680 2,594,826    
Total current assets 6,121,944 6,290,820    
Net property, equipment and other assets 3,009,555 3,157,672    
Goodwill 3,861,584 3,982,130    
Investment in affiliates and intercompany, net 0 0    
Total assets 12,993,083 13,430,622    
Total current liabilities 3,933,804 4,074,278    
Total long-term liabilities 2,262,526 2,334,131    
Total stockholders' equity 6,796,753 7,022,213 7,119,652 6,951,181
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 12,993,083 13,430,622    
Staples, Inc. (Parent Co.)
        
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents 78,626 385,279 135,397 406,821
Merchandise inventories, net 0 0    
Other current assets 663,907 68,608    
Total current assets 742,533 453,887    
Net property, equipment and other assets 652,538 671,787    
Goodwill 1,636,726 1,644,728    
Investment in affiliates and intercompany, net 5,704,179 5,951,426    
Total assets 8,735,976 8,721,828    
Total current liabilities 237,404 (13,544)    
Total long-term liabilities 1,701,819 1,713,159    
Total stockholders' equity 6,796,753 7,022,213    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 8,735,976 8,721,828    
Guarantor Subsidiaries
        
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents 76,954 43,323 46,720 38,298
Merchandise inventories, net 1,560,551 1,437,074    
Other current assets 813,934 1,188,378    
Total current assets 2,451,439 2,668,775    
Net property, equipment and other assets 1,120,927 1,165,840    
Goodwill 153,200 156,303    
Investment in affiliates and intercompany, net 8,152,766 6,935,956    
Total assets 11,878,332 10,926,874    
Total current liabilities 2,119,173 2,314,411    
Total long-term liabilities 209,225 195,852    
Total stockholders' equity 9,549,934 8,416,611    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 11,878,332 10,926,874    
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
        
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents 829,086 835,547 641,007 1,016,138
Merchandise inventories, net 1,069,047 994,771    
Other current assets 1,029,839 1,337,840    
Total current assets 2,927,972 3,168,158    
Net property, equipment and other assets 1,236,090 1,320,045    
Goodwill 2,071,658 2,181,099    
Investment in affiliates and intercompany, net 10,676,696 10,988,680    
Total assets 16,912,416 17,657,982    
Total current liabilities 1,577,227 1,773,411    
Total long-term liabilities 351,482 425,120    
Total stockholders' equity 14,983,707 15,459,451    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 16,912,416 17,657,982    
Eliminations
        
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet        
Cash and cash equivalents 0 0    
Merchandise inventories, net 0 0    
Other current assets 0 0    
Total current assets 0 0    
Net property, equipment and other assets 0 0    
Goodwill 0 0    
Investment in affiliates and intercompany, net (24,533,641) (23,876,062)    
Total assets (24,533,641) (23,876,062)    
Total current liabilities 0 0    
Total long-term liabilities 0 0    
Total stockholders' equity (24,533,641) (23,876,062)    
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ (24,533,641) $ (23,876,062)