General - Notes to Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2012
General Dsiclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	NOTE 1 - GENERAL: The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the three and nine month periods ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. Amounts as of January 28, 2012, have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. On November 20, 2012, the Board of Directors maintained the quarterly dividend at $0.25 per share. On November 30, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share and accelerated the 2013 dividend of a $1.00 per share both to be paid on December 28, 2012, to shareholders of record on December 14, 2012.

General - Notes to Financial Statements

3 Months Ended

Oct. 27, 2012

NOTE 1 - GENERAL:

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of The Cato Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), and all amounts shown as of and for the three and nine month periods ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The results of the interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. Amounts as of January 28, 2012, have been derived from the audited balance sheet, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

On November 20, 2012, the Board of Directors maintained the quarterly dividend at $0.25 per share. On November 30, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share and accelerated the 2013 dividend of a $1.00 per share both to be paid on December 28, 2012, to shareholders of record on December 14, 2012.