Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	May 14, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STAPLES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000791519
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 28, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		689,174,382
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1