v2.4.0.6
Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2012
Oct. 29, 2011
Oct. 27, 2012
Oct. 29, 2011
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     $ 7,022,213,000 $ 6,951,181,000
Net (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc. (596,252,000) 326,380,000 (288,762,000) 701,063,000
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (39,000) (50,000) (119,000) (751,000)
Consolidated net (loss) income, including loss from the noncontrolling interests (596,291,000) 326,330,000 (288,881,000) 700,312,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax     (68,606,000) 107,028,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax     8,269,000 [1] (2,657,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax     (349,218,000) 804,683,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised     26,039,000 32,989,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition     90,406,000 117,072,000
Purchase of NonControlling Interest Including Accrued and Unpaid Transition Costs     (5,651,000) (3,591,000)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash     221,682,000 209,604,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation     179,000 1,023,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method     383,220,000 512,496,000
Stockholders' Equity, Other     337,000 1,260,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 6,178,729,000 7,179,997,000 6,178,729,000 7,179,997,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax     6,200,000 (2,200,000)
Parent [Member]
        
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     7,015,151,000 6,943,710,000
Net (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc.     (288,762,000) 701,063,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent     (68,839,000) 106,676,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax     8,269,000 [1] (2,657,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax     (349,332,000) 805,082,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised     26,039,000 32,989,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition     90,406,000 117,072,000
Purchase of NonControlling Interest Including Accrued and Unpaid Transition Costs     (5,651,000) (3,591,000)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash     221,682,000 209,604,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation     179,000 1,023,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method     383,220,000 512,496,000
Stockholders' Equity, Other     337,000 1,260,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 6,171,553,000 7,172,925,000 6,171,553,000 7,172,925,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
        
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     7,062,000 7,471,000
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     (119,000) (751,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     233,000 352,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax     0 [1] 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax     114,000 (399,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised     0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition     0 0
Purchase of NonControlling Interest Including Accrued and Unpaid Transition Costs     0 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash     0 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation     0 0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method     0 0
Stockholders' Equity, Other     0 0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest $ 7,176,000 $ 7,072,000 $ 7,176,000 $ 7,072,000
[1] (1)Changes in the fair value of derivatives are net of a tax expense (benefit) of $6.2 million for year-to-date 2012 and $(2.2) million for year-to-date 2011, respectively.