Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 12, 2011	Dec. 16, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	CPI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000025354
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-04
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,037,913
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 12, 2011