Guarantor Subsidiaries (Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 146,857	$ 210,266
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(52,077)	(62,617)
Cash used in investing activities	(52,077)	(62,617)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,501	4,836
Proceeds from borrowings	25,153	39,799
Payments on borrowings	(19,836)	(536,294)
Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	(688)	0
Cash dividends paid	(74,749)	(70,936)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	179	387
Purchase of treasury stock, net	(95,925)	(148,477)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(161,365)	(710,685)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,957	34,294
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(59,628)	(528,742)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,264,149	1,461,257
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,204,521	932,515
Staples, Inc. (Parent Co.)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	114,231	452,110
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(9,042)	(7,113)
Cash used in investing activities	(9,042)	(7,113)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	4,501	4,836
Proceeds from borrowings	7,284	12,887
Payments on borrowings	(8,727)	(515,433)
Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	0
Cash dividends paid	(74,749)	(70,936)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	44	28
Purchase of treasury stock, net	(95,925)	(148,477)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(167,572)	(717,095)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(62,383)	(272,098)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	385,279	406,821
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	322,896	134,723
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,791	37,177
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(28,295)	(30,695)
Cash used in investing activities	(28,295)	(30,695)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Proceeds from borrowings	0	0
Payments on borrowings	0	0
Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	0
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	82	272
Purchase of treasury stock, net	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	82	272
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,578	6,754
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	43,323	38,298
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	45,901	45,052
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,835	(279,021)
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(14,740)	(24,809)
Cash used in investing activities	(14,740)	(24,809)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0
Proceeds from borrowings	17,869	26,912
Payments on borrowings	(11,109)	(20,861)
Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest	(688)
Cash dividends paid	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	53	87
Purchase of treasury stock, net	0	0
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	6,125	6,138
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,957	34,294
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	177	(263,398)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	835,547	1,016,138
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 835,724	$ 752,740