Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 04, 2012	Feb. 05, 2011	Feb. 06, 2010
Net sales	$ 361,676	$ 407,035	$ 422,371
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	29,580	28,263	30,626
Selling, general and administrative expenses	318,317	337,240	339,182
Depreciation and amortization	15,651	17,962	22,740
Impairments	30,698	1,871	300
Other charges	7,576	3,221	2,994
Total costs and expenses	401,822	388,557	395,842
(Loss) income from operations	(40,146)	18,478	26,529
Interest expense, net	3,534	3,843	6,936
Other (expense) income, net	(109)	679	0
(Loss) income from operations before income tax expense	(43,789)	15,314	19,593
Income tax expense	13,078	3,413	5,796
Net (loss) income	(56,867)	11,901	13,797
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(182)	(7)	0
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.	$ (56,685)	$ 11,908	$ 13,797
NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Net (loss) income per share attributable to CPI Corp. - diluted	$ (8.06)	$ 1.64	$ 1.97
Net (loss) income per share attributable to CPI Corp. - basic	$ (8.06)	$ 1.64	$ 1.97
Dividends per share	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-diluted	7,029,407	7,271,672	7,019,981
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-basic	7,029,407	7,256,619	6,992,511