Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 70,319	$ 88,638
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	5,441	6,408
Selling, general and administrative expenses	61,949	73,534
Depreciation and amortization	2,219	4,016
Other charges and impairments	4,090	3,177
Total costs and expenses	73,699	87,135
Loss from operations	(3,380)	1,503
Interest expense	775	625
Other (expense) income, net	(149)	89
Loss from operations before income tax benefit	(4,304)	967
Income tax benefit	388	305
Net loss	(4,692)	662
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(48)	(85)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.	$ (4,644)	$ 747
Net loss per common share attributable to CPI Corp. - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.66)	$ 0.11
Net loss per common share attributable to CPI Corp. - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.66)	$ 0.11
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-diluted (in shares)	7,014,000	6,998,340
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-basic (in shares)	7,014,000	6,992,140