Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	4 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 12, 2011	Nov. 13, 2010	Nov. 12, 2011	Nov. 13, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 95,025	$ 106,174	$ 254,541	$ 278,086
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	8,650	7,544	20,988	19,905
Selling, general and administrative expenses	93,890	102,139	234,423	244,655
Depreciation and amortization	4,668	5,267	12,422	14,088
Other charges and impairments	1,449	3,645	6,344	2,889
Total costs and expenses	108,657	118,595	274,177	281,537
Loss from operations	(13,632)	(12,421)	(19,636)	(3,451)
Interest expense	1,286	883	2,560	3,209
Other (expense) income, net	(281)	117	(240)	587
Loss from operations before income tax benefit	(15,199)	(13,187)	(22,436)	(6,073)
Income tax benefit	(7,950)	(5,474)	(9,550)	(3,082)
Net loss	(7,249)	(7,713)	(12,886)	(2,991)
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	0	(139)	0
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.	$ (7,250)	$ (7,713)	$ (12,747)	$ (2,991)
Net loss per common share attributable to CPI Corp. - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.03)	$ (1.05)	$ (1.81)	$ (0.41)
Net loss per common share attributable to CPI Corp. - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.03)	$ (1.05)	$ (1.81)	$ (0.41)
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	7,039,858	7,312,019	7,026,855	7,271,226
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	7,039,858	7,312,019	7,026,855	7,271,226