DEI Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Nov. 12, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STAPLES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000791519
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 27, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		673,881,646
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes