Basis of Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Oct. 28, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Stage Stores, Inc. and its subsidiary (“we,” “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Those adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods have been made. Results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year due to seasonality and other factors. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2017 (“Form 10-K”). References to a particular year are to our fiscal year, which is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st of the following calendar year. For example, a reference to “2017” is a reference to the fiscal year ending February 3, 2018, and “2016” is a reference to the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017. Fiscal years 2017 and 2016 are comprised of 53 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. References to the “three months ended October 28, 2017” and “three months ended October 29, 2016” are for the respective 13-week fiscal quarters. References to the “nine months ended October 28, 2017” and “nine months ended October 29, 2016” are for the respective 39-week fiscal periods. On April 7, 2017, we acquired select assets of Gordmans Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries through a bankruptcy auction (“Gordmans Acquisition”). The results of the Gordmans branded stores that we operated from April 7, 2017 through October 28, 2017 are included in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended October 28, 2017 (see Note 8). Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which modifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and the option to estimate expected forfeitures or recognize forfeitures as they occur. We adopted this standard on a prospective basis in first quarter of 2017. Under the new standard, excess income tax benefits and deficiencies related to awards that vest or settle are recognized in the provision for income taxes as a discrete event in the period in which they occur, which may create significant volatility in the provision for income taxes and earnings. Historically, these amounts were reflected within additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet. In addition, upon adoption excess tax benefits are reflected within operating activities in the statements of cash flows, whereas historically these amounts were reflected as a financing activity. Cash paid to tax authorities on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares continues to be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. We made a policy election to recognize forfeitures as they occur. For the three and nine months ended October 28, 2017, we recognized excess tax deficiencies of $0.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in the provision for income taxes. The adoption of the other requirements of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provides guidance on certain specific cash flow issues including proceeds received from the settlement of insurance claims. This guidance requires cash proceeds received from the settlement of insurance claims to be classified on the statement of cash flows on the basis of the related insurance coverage (that is, the nature of the loss). The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted and is to be applied retrospectively. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance establishes a five-step revenue recognition model, which includes (i) identifying the contract with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The guidance also requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized in retained earnings at the date of adoption. The new revenue standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which begins on February 4, 2018, and we plan to apply the full retrospective method of adoption. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. We plan to make a policy election that will keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet and will result in recognizing those lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a financing or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP, which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet, ASU 2016-02 will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. As a result, lessees will be required to put most leases on their balance sheets while recognizing expense on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. In addition, this guidance requires disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The new standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which begins on February 3, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We continue to evaluate the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures, including the effect of certain optional practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance. Based on our assessment to date, we expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in a significant increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The ultimate impact of adopting the new standard will depend on our lease portfolio as of the adoption date. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. If a subtotal for operating income is shown on the income statement, then the other components of the net periodic benefit cost must be presented separately from the line item that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. The new standard also requires disclosure of the line item(s) in the income statement that include net periodic benefit costs. Additionally, only the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. We plan to adopt ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which begins on February 4, 2018. The change in presentation of service cost must be applied retrospectively, while the capitalization of service cost must be applied on a prospective basis. The pension plan that we sponsor is frozen, and therefore, service costs no longer accrue under the plan. Upon adoption, we will recognize net periodic pension costs in selling, general and administrative expenses, consistent with our current presentation, and we will disclose this in the notes to the financial statements.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Stage Stores, Inc. and its subsidiary (“we,” “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Those adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods have been made. Results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year due to seasonality and other factors. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2017 (“Form 10-K”).

References to a particular year are to our fiscal year, which is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st of the following calendar year. For example, a reference to “2017” is a reference to the fiscal year ending February 3, 2018, and “2016” is a reference to the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017. Fiscal years 2017 and 2016 are comprised of 53 weeks and 52 weeks, respectively. References to the “three months ended October 28, 2017” and “three months ended October 29, 2016” are for the respective 13-week fiscal quarters. References to the “nine months ended October 28, 2017” and “nine months ended October 29, 2016” are for the respective 39-week fiscal periods.

On April 7, 2017, we acquired select assets of Gordmans Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries through a bankruptcy auction (“Gordmans Acquisition”). The results of the Gordmans branded stores that we operated from April 7, 2017 through October 28, 2017 are included in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended October 28, 2017 (see Note 8).

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which modifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and the option to estimate expected forfeitures or recognize forfeitures as they occur. We adopted this standard on a prospective basis in first quarter of 2017. Under the new standard, excess income tax benefits and deficiencies related to awards that vest or settle are recognized in the provision for income taxes as a discrete event in the period in which they occur, which may create significant volatility in the provision for income taxes and earnings. Historically, these amounts were reflected within additional paid-in capital on the balance sheet. In addition, upon adoption excess tax benefits are reflected within operating activities in the statements of cash flows, whereas historically these amounts were reflected as a financing activity. Cash paid to tax authorities on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares continues to be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. We made a policy election to recognize forfeitures as they occur. For the three and nine months ended October 28, 2017, we recognized excess tax deficiencies of $0.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, in the provision for income taxes. The adoption of the other requirements of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which provides guidance on certain specific cash flow issues including proceeds received from the settlement of insurance claims. This guidance requires cash proceeds received from the settlement of insurance claims to be classified on the statement of cash flows on the basis of the related insurance coverage (that is, the nature of the loss). The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted and is to be applied retrospectively. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance establishes a five-step revenue recognition model, which includes (i) identifying the contract with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The guidance also requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized in retained earnings at the date of adoption. The new revenue standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which begins on February 4, 2018, and we plan to apply the full retrospective method of adoption. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. We plan to make a policy election that will keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet and will result in recognizing those lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a financing or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP, which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet, ASU 2016-02 will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. As a result, lessees will be required to put most leases on their balance sheets while recognizing expense on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. In addition, this guidance requires disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The new standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which begins on February 3, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We continue to evaluate the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures, including the effect of certain optional practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance. Based on our assessment to date, we expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will result in a significant increase in lease-related assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The ultimate impact of adopting the new standard will depend on our lease portfolio as of the adoption date.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. If a subtotal for operating income is shown on the income statement, then the other components of the net periodic benefit cost must be presented separately from the line item that includes the service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. The new standard also requires disclosure of the line item(s) in the income statement that include net periodic benefit costs. Additionally, only the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. We plan to adopt ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which begins on February 4, 2018. The change in presentation of service cost must be applied retrospectively, while the capitalization of service cost must be applied on a prospective basis. The pension plan that we sponsor is frozen, and therefore, service costs no longer accrue under the plan. Upon adoption, we will recognize net periodic pension costs in selling, general and administrative expenses, consistent with our current presentation, and we will disclose this in the notes to the financial statements.