v2.4.0.6
Guarantor Subsidiaries (Income Statement) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2012
Jul. 30, 2011
Jul. 28, 2012
Jul. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income        
Sales $ 5,498,496 $ 5,819,612 $ 11,603,321 $ 11,992,550
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 4,071,211 4,279,232 8,566,321 8,815,777
Gross profit 1,427,285 1,540,380 3,037,000 3,176,773
Operating (income) expense 1,248,923 1,302,976 2,581,581 2,637,564
Consolidated income before income taxes 178,362 237,404 455,419 539,209
Income tax expense 57,967 61,104 148,011 165,227
Consolidated net income 120,395 176,300 307,408 373,982
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests (34) (138) (80) (701)
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 120,429 176,438 307,488 374,683
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income (96,529) 59,124 112,426 561,177
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests (115) (48) (14) (495)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. (96,414) 59,172 112,440 561,672
Staples, Inc. (Parent Co.)
        
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income        
Sales 0 0 0 0
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 2,657 3,413 5,165 5,927
Gross profit (2,657) (3,413) (5,165) (5,927)
Operating (income) expense (123,086) (179,851) (312,653) (380,610)
Consolidated income before income taxes 120,429 176,438 307,488 374,683
Income tax expense 0 0 0 0
Consolidated net income 120,429 176,438 307,488 374,683
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 120,429 176,438 307,488 374,683
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income (96,414) 59,172 112,440 561,672
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. (96,414) 59,172 112,440 561,672
Guarantor Subsidiaries
        
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income        
Sales 3,433,007 3,495,872 7,222,481 7,254,520
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 2,595,598 2,635,730 5,422,362 5,433,779
Gross profit 837,409 860,142 1,800,119 1,820,741
Operating (income) expense 721,656 743,139 1,478,200 1,492,499
Consolidated income before income taxes 115,753 117,003 321,919 328,242
Income tax expense 51,202 53,971 138,174 145,180
Consolidated net income 64,551 63,032 183,745 183,062
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 64,551 63,032 183,745 183,062
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income 64,551 63,032 183,745 183,062
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. 64,551 63,032 183,745 183,062
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
        
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income        
Sales 2,065,489 2,323,740 4,380,840 4,738,030
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 1,472,956 1,640,089 3,138,794 3,376,071
Gross profit 592,533 683,651 1,242,046 1,361,959
Operating (income) expense 504,772 532,010 1,066,452 1,086,661
Consolidated income before income taxes 87,761 151,641 175,594 275,298
Income tax expense 6,765 7,133 9,837 20,047
Consolidated net income 80,996 144,508 165,757 255,251
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests (34) (138) (80) (701)
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 81,030 144,646 165,837 255,952
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income (130,325) 26,646 (20,830) 503,651
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests (115) (48) (14) (495)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. (130,210) 26,694 (20,816) 504,146
Eliminations
        
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income        
Sales 0 0 0 0
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 0 0 0 0
Gross profit 0 0 0 0
Operating (income) expense 145,581 207,678 349,582 439,014
Consolidated income before income taxes (145,581) (207,678) (349,582) (439,014)
Income tax expense 0 0 0 0
Consolidated net income (145,581) (207,678) (349,582) (439,014)
Loss attributed to the noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. (145,581) (207,678) (349,582) (439,014)
Consolidated Comprehensive (Loss) Income 65,659 (89,726) (162,929) (687,208)
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. $ 65,659 $ (89,726) $ (162,929) $ (687,208)