Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 04, 2012	Apr. 27, 2012	Jul. 23, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	CPI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000025354
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-04
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 70,194,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,046,880
Document Period End Date	Feb. 04, 2012