Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2011		Jul. 31, 2010		Jul. 30, 2011		Jul. 31, 2010
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	$ (35.0)		$ 21.1		$ (8.6)		$ 75.3
Less: net earnings allocated to participating securities		[1]	0.4	[1]		[1]	1.2	[1]
Net (loss) earnings available to common shareholders	$ (35.0)		$ 20.7		$ (8.6)		$ 74.1
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	60,275,000		63,498,000		60,465,000		63,459,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	60,275,000		64,183,000		60,465,000		64,402,000
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders	$ (0.58)		$ 0.33		$ (0.14)		$ 1.17
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders	$ (0.58)		$ 0.32		$ (0.14)		$ 1.15
Number of shares excluded from stock options and stock-settled SARs for calculation of diluted earnings per share			4,400,000				3,200,000
Stock Options [Member]
Net effect of dilutive stock options and stock-settled SARs			118,000				257,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Net effect of dilutive stock options and stock-settled SARs			567,000				686,000

[1] Net earnings allocated to participating securities is calculated based upon a weighted average percentage of participating securities in relation to total shares outstanding.Net losses are not allocated to participating securities.