Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 21, 2012	Jul. 23, 2011	Jul. 21, 2012	Jul. 23, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 53,440	$ 70,831	$ 123,246	$ 159,469
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	5,061	5,929	10,472	12,323
Selling, general and administrative expenses	51,840	66,899	112,812	140,433
Depreciation and amortization	1,871	3,738	4,053	7,754
Impairments	21,888	0	21,888	0
Other charges	2,688	1,167	6,702	4,344
Total costs and expenses	83,348	77,733	155,927	164,854
Loss from continuing operations	(29,908)	(6,902)	(32,681)	(5,385)
Interest expense, net	4,361	651	5,136	1,276
Other income (expense), net	98	(36)	(51)	53
Loss from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense	(34,171)	(7,589)	(37,868)	(6,608)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(281)	(1,671)	107	(1,361)
Net loss from continuing operations	(33,890)	(5,918)	(37,975)	(5,247)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit	(1,349)	(381)	(1,956)	(390)
Net loss	(35,239)	(6,299)	(39,931)	(5,637)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(80)	(55)	(128)	(140)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.	(35,159)	(6,244)	(39,803)	(5,497)
Net loss from continuing operations, net of income tax (benefit) expense	$ (33,810)	$ (5,863)	$ (37,847)	$ (5,107)
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.
Net loss per share from continuing operations - diluted	$ (4.75)	$ (0.83)	$ (5.36)	$ (0.73)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations - diluted	$ (0.19)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.05)
Net loss per share - diluted	$ (4.94)	$ (0.89)	$ (5.63)	$ (0.78)
Net loss per share from continuing operations - basic	$ (4.75)	$ (0.83)	$ (5.36)	$ (0.73)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations - basic	$ (0.19)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.27)	$ (0.05)
Net loss per share - basic	$ (4.94)	$ (0.89)	$ (5.63)	$ (0.78)
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-diluted	7,112,780	7,040,441	7,063,546	7,016,291
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding-basic	7,112,780	7,040,441	7,063,546	7,016,291