Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Jun. 01, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	CPI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000025354
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,011,067
Document Period End Date	Apr. 28, 2012