Exit Costs - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012		Jan. 28, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close in next three years			475
Employee severance and other exit costs	$ 15.7
Minimum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated exit costs	20
Maximum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated exit costs	25
Lease Termination Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	12.6	[1]
Lease Termination Costs | Payless Domestic
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	10.6
Lease Termination Costs | Payless International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	1.2
Lease Termination Costs | PLG Retail Reporting
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	0.8
Employee Severance and Other Exit Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	3.1
Employee Severance and Other Exit Costs | Payless Domestic
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	2.6
Employee Severance and Other Exit Costs | Payless International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	0.2
Employee Severance and Other Exit Costs | PLG Retail Reporting
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee severance and other exit costs	$ 0.3
Scenario, Forecast
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores closed			352
Scenario, Forecast | Payless Stores
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores closed	5		298
Scenario, Forecast | Stride Rite Children's Locations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores closed	2		54

[1] The accrual balance as of January 28, 2012 was changed from $1.6 (disclosed in the prior period) to $5.8, as the previously-disclosed prior period amount did not include a $4.2 accrual as of January 29, 2011 related to lease costs incurred and recorded prior to the commencement of the exit activities.