Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Earnings (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 886.0	$ 882.4	$ 1,798.1	$ 1,751.4
Cost of sales	590.9	673.9	1,177.9	1,233.0
Gross margin	295.1	208.5	620.2	518.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	273.9	260.9	549.8	528.4
Impairment of goodwill		10.0		10.0
Operating (loss) profit	21.2	(62.4)	70.4	(20.0)
Interest expense	7.5	10.0	15.8	20.9
Interest income	(0.2)	(0.1)	(0.3)	(0.2)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	13.9	(72.3)	54.9	(40.7)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	2.4	(39.0)	9.4	(35.6)
Net (loss) earnings	11.5	(33.3)	45.5	(5.1)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.8)	(1.7)	(2.6)	(3.5)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	9.7	(35.0)	42.9	(8.6)
Parent Company
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1.3	1.0	2.5	2.0
Operating (loss) profit	(1.3)	(1.0)	(2.5)	(2.0)
Interest expense	11.7	12.8	23.4	25.6
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(22.7)	23.6	(68.8)	(11.7)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	9.7	(37.4)	42.9	(15.9)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes		(2.4)		(7.3)
Net (loss) earnings	9.7	(35.0)	42.9	(8.6)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	9.7	(35.0)	42.9	(8.6)
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	747.4	720.6	1,535.3	1,493.2
Cost of sales	516.5	565.3	1,027.9	1,088.0
Gross margin	230.9	155.3	507.4	405.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	235.1	235.5	474.6	462.8
Impairment of goodwill		10.0		10.0
Operating (loss) profit	(4.2)	(90.2)	32.8	(67.6)
Interest expense	5.1	6.1	11.0	13.2
Interest income	(9.0)	(9.1)	(18.0)	(18.2)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(24.0)	(17.7)	(34.7)	(33.8)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	23.7	(69.5)	74.5	(28.8)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	1.0	(45.9)	5.7	(40.5)
Net (loss) earnings	22.7	(23.6)	68.8	11.7
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	22.7	(23.6)	68.8	11.7
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	423.8	375.3	786.5	763.9
Cost of sales	354.2	324.4	663.1	627.2
Gross margin	69.6	50.9	123.4	136.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42.9	22.1	83.3	87.1
Operating (loss) profit	26.7	28.8	40.1	49.6
Interest expense	0.1	0.2	0.2	0.2
Interest income	(0.6)	(0.1)	(1.1)	(0.1)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	27.2	28.7	41.0	49.5
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	1.4	9.3	3.7	12.2
Net (loss) earnings	25.8	19.4	37.3	37.3
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.8)	(1.7)	(2.6)	(3.5)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	24.0	17.7	34.7	33.8
Eliminations
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	(285.2)	(213.5)	(523.7)	(505.7)
Cost of sales	(279.8)	(215.8)	(513.1)	(482.2)
Gross margin	(5.4)	2.3	(10.6)	(23.5)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(5.4)	2.3	(10.6)	(23.5)
Interest expense	(9.4)	(9.1)	(18.8)	(18.1)
Interest income	9.4	9.1	18.8	18.1
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	46.7	(5.9)	103.5	45.5
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(46.7)	5.9	(103.5)	(45.5)
Net (loss) earnings	(46.7)	5.9	(103.5)	(45.5)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc.	$ (46.7)	$ 5.9	$ (103.5)	$ (45.5)