| 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 year-to-date 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: | | | | | | Consolidated net loss | (288,762 | ) | | (119 | ) | | (288,881 | ) | Other Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net | (68,839 | ) | | 233 |
| | (68,606 | ) | Changes in fair value of derivatives, net (1) | 8,269 |
| | — |
| | 8,269 |
| Comprehensive (loss) income | (349,332 | ) | | 114 |
| | (349,218 | ) | Issuance of common stock for stock options exercised | 26,039 |
| | — |
| | 26,039 |
| Stock-based compensation | 90,406 |
| | — |
| | 90,406 |
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | (5,651 | ) | | — |
| | (5,651 | ) | Cash dividends paid | (221,682 | ) | | — |
| | (221,682 | ) | Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements | 179 |
| | — |
| | 179 |
| Purchase of treasury stock, net | (383,220 | ) | | — |
| | (383,220 | ) | Other | (337 | ) | | — |
| | (337 | ) | Stockholders' equity at October 27, 2012 | $ | 6,171,553 |
| | $ | 7,176 |
| | $ | 6,178,729 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | 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: | | | | | | Consolidated net income | 701,063 |
| | (751 | ) | | 700,312 |
| Other Comprehensive Income: | | | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net | 106,676 |
| | 352 |
| | 107,028 |
| Changes in fair value of derivatives, net (1) | (2,657 | ) | | — |
| | (2,657 | ) | Comprehensive Income | 805,082 |
| | (399 | ) | | 804,683 |
| Issuance of common stock for stock options exercised | 32,989 |
| | — |
| | 32,989 |
| Stock-based compensation | 117,072 |
| | — |
| | 117,072 |
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | (3,591 | ) | | — |
| | (3,591 | ) | Cash dividends paid | (209,604 | ) | | — |
| | (209,604 | ) | Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements | 1,023 |
| | — |
| | 1,023 |
| Purchase of treasury stock, net | (512,496 | ) | | — |
| | (512,496 | ) | Other | (1,260 | ) | | — |
| | (1,260 | ) | Stockholders' equity at October 29, 2011 | $ | 7,172,925 |
| | $ | 7,072 |
| | $ | 7,179,997 |
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