Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Staples, Inc. and its wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for investments in businesses in which it owns between 20% and 50% of the voting interest using the equity method, if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee company.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year: Staples' fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal year 2014 ("2014") consisted of the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015, fiscal year 2013 ("2013") consisted of the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2014 and fiscal year 2012 ("2012") consisted of the 53 weeks ended February 2, 2013.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management of Staples to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents: Staples considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Receivables	Receivables: Receivables include trade receivables financed under regular commercial credit terms and other non-trade receivables. Gross trade receivables were $1.43 billion at January 31, 2015 and $1.38 billion at February 1, 2014. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to Staples' large number of customers and their dispersion across many industries and geographic regions. An allowance for doubtful accounts has been recorded to reduce trade receivables to an amount expected to be collectible from customers based on specific evidence as well as historic trends. The allowance recorded at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 was $38.3 million and $30.8 million, respectively. Other non-trade receivables were $539.6 million at January 31, 2015 and $489.5 million at February 1, 2014 and consisted primarily of purchase and advertising rebates due from vendors under various incentive and promotional programs. Amounts expected to be received from vendors relating to the purchase of merchandise inventories are recognized as a reduction of inventory cost and realized as part of cost of goods sold as the merchandise is sold. Amounts expected to be received from vendors that represent reimbursement for specific, incremental costs incurred by the Company related to selling a vendor's products, such as advertising, are recorded as an offset to those costs when they are recognized in the consolidated statement of income.
Inventory	Inventory: Inventory is valued at the lower of weighted-average cost or market value. The Company reserves for obsolete, overstocked and inactive inventory based on the difference between the weighted-average cost of the inventory and the estimated market value using assumptions of future demand and market conditions.
Accounts Payable	Accounts Payable: The Company has agreements with third parties to provide accounts payable tracking and payment services which facilitate participating suppliers' ability to finance payment obligations from the Company with designated third-party financial institutions. Participating suppliers may, at their sole discretion, make offers to finance one or more payment obligations of the Company prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to participating financial institutions. The Company has no economic interest in the sale of these receivables. The Company's obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not impacted by suppliers' decisions to finance amounts under these arrangements. The Company presents these obligations as trade accounts payable.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization, which includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital obligations, are provided using the straight-line method over the following useful lives: 40 years for buildings; 3-10 years for furniture and fixtures; and 3-10 years for equipment, which includes computer equipment and software with estimated useful lives of 3-7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the underlying leases or the estimated economic lives of the improvements. Asset retirement obligations are recognized when incurred and the related cost is amortized over the remaining useful life of the related asset.
Lease Acquisition Costs	Lease Acquisition Costs: Lease acquisition costs, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the respective lease terms, including option renewal periods if renewal of the lease is reasonably assured, which range from 1 to 46 years.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company measures the fair value of financial instruments pursuant to the guidelines of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement ("ASC Topic 820"), which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement), then priority to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 measurement), then the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).
Impairment of Goodwill	Impairment of Goodwill: The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit might exceed its current fair value. For the annual test, the Company may perform an initial qualitative assessment for certain reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This assessment is used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two step goodwill impairment test. For those reporting units for which the Company performs the two step impairment test, the Company determines fair value using discounted cash flow analysis, which requires management to make assumptions and estimates regarding industry economic factors and the future profitability of the Company's businesses. The Company does not rely on a market approach given that it believes there are an insufficient number of relevant guideline companies and comparable transactions. It is the Company's policy to allocate goodwill and conduct impairment testing at a reporting unit level based on its most current business plans, which reflect changes the Company anticipates in the economy and the industry. The Company established, and continues to evaluate, its reporting units based on its internal reporting structure and defines such reporting units at the operating segment level or one level below.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured based upon the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of an asset plus any net proceeds expected to be realized upon its eventual disposition. An impairment loss is recognized if an asset's carrying value is not recoverable and if it exceeds its fair value. Staples' policy is to evaluate long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows or other assets and liabilities.
Exit and Disposal Activities	Exit and Disposal Activities: The Company's policy is to recognize costs associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructurings, when a liability has been incurred. Employee termination costs associated with ongoing benefit arrangements are accrued when the obligations are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated, while costs associated with one-time benefit arrangements generally are accrued when the key terms of the arrangement have been communicated to the affected employees. Costs related to ongoing lease obligations for vacant facilities are recognized once the Company has ceased using the facility, and the related liability is recorded net of estimated future sublease income. Payments made to terminate a lease agreement prior to the end of its term are accrued when the termination agreement is signed, or when notification is given to the landlord if a lease agreement has a pre-existing termination clause. For property and equipment that the Company expects to retire at the time of a facility closing, the Company first reassesses the assets' estimated remaining useful lives and evaluates whether the assets are impaired on a held for use basis, and then accelerates depreciation as warranted.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of products and services when the following four criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized for product sales at the point of sale for the Company's retail operations and at the time of shipment for its delivery sales. The Company offers its customers various coupons, discounts and rebates, which are treated as a reduction of revenue. The Company evaluates whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product and service sales and related costs or the net amount earned as a commission. In making this determination, the Company considers several factors, including which party in the transaction is the primary obligor, the degree of inventory risk, which party establishes pricing, the Company's ability to select vendors, and whether it earns a fixed amount per transaction. Generally, when the Company is the party in the transaction with the primary obligation to the customer or is subject to inventory risk, revenue is recorded at the gross sale price, assuming other factors corroborate that the Company is the principal party in the transaction. If the Company is not primarily obligated and does not have inventory risk, it generally records the net amount as a commission earned. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables that have value on a standalone basis are divided into separate units of accounting. Revenue is allocated to each deliverable using estimated selling prices if the Company does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of the selling prices of the deliverables. The Company recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting based on the nature of the deliverable and the revenue recognition guidance applicable to each unit. Revenue is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs	Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs: Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs includes the costs of merchandise sold, inbound and outbound freight, receiving and distribution, and store and distribution center occupancy (including real estate taxes and common area maintenance).
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs: All shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of goods sold and occupancy costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses include payroll, advertising and other operating expenses for the Company's stores and delivery operations not included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs.
Advertising	Advertising: Staples expenses the costs of producing an advertisement the first time the advertising takes place, except for the cost of direct response advertising, primarily catalog production costs, which are capitalized and amortized over their expected period of future benefits (i.e., the life of the catalog). Direct catalog production costs included in prepaid and other assets totaled $10.1 million and $14.3 million at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively. The cost of communicating an advertisement is expensed when the communication occurs.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topics 505 Equity and 718 Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation for restricted stock and restricted stock units is measured based on the closing market price of the Company's common stock price on the date of grant, less the present value of dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares but foregone during the vesting period. Stock-based compensation for stock options is measured based on the estimated fair value of each award on the date of grant using a binomial valuation model. For awards with service conditions only, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For awards that include performance conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense during the performance period to the extent achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable relative to targeted performance. A change in the Company's estimate of the probable outcome of a performance condition is accounted for in the period of the change by recording a cumulative catch-up adjustment.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits: The Company maintains pension and post-retirement life insurance plans for certain employees globally. These plans include significant obligations, which are calculated based on actuarial valuations. Key assumptions used in determining these obligations and related expenses include expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates and inflation. The Company also makes assumptions regarding employee demographic factors such as retirement patterns, mortality, turnover and the rate of compensation increases. These assumptions are evaluated annually. Expected return on plan assets is determined using fair market value. The Company calculates amortization of actuarial gains and losses using the corridor approach and the estimated remaining service of plan participants.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency: The assets and liabilities of Staples' foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates as of the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses relate to the settlement of assets or liabilities in a currency other than the functional currency.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or as an adjustment to the carrying value of the hedged item. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting are reported in earnings.
Accounting for Income Taxes	Accounting for Income Taxes: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted income tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are separated into current and non-current amounts based on the classification of the related assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes or the expected reversal date of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities if they are not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. The Company accounts for uncertain tax provisions in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes. These provisions require companies to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, a pronouncement was issued that creates common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The new guidance supersedes most preexisting revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is not permitted. The standard shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. For Staples, the standard will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new pronouncement on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In April 2014, a pronouncement was issued that changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. The new pronouncement stipulates that the disposal of a component of an entity is to be reported in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The pronouncement also removed the conditions that a) the operations and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity as a result of the disposal transaction and b) the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. The Company adopted this guidance as of the beginning of its fiscal year 2014. The guidance applies to components of the Company that are disposed or classified as held for sale after the effective date. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements for 2014.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2015

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Staples, Inc. and its wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for investments in businesses in which it owns between 20% and 50% of the voting interest using the equity method, if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee company.

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year: Staples' fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal year 2014 ("2014") consisted of the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015, fiscal year 2013 ("2013") consisted of the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2014 and fiscal year 2012 ("2012") consisted of the 53 weeks ended February 2, 2013.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management of Staples to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents: Staples considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Receivables

Receivables: Receivables include trade receivables financed under regular commercial credit terms and other non-trade receivables. Gross trade receivables were $1.43 billion at January 31, 2015 and $1.38 billion at February 1, 2014. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to Staples' large number of customers and their dispersion across many industries and geographic regions.

An allowance for doubtful accounts has been recorded to reduce trade receivables to an amount expected to be collectible from customers based on specific evidence as well as historic trends. The allowance recorded at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014 was $38.3 million and $30.8 million, respectively.

Other non-trade receivables were $539.6 million at January 31, 2015 and $489.5 million at February 1, 2014 and consisted primarily of purchase and advertising rebates due from vendors under various incentive and promotional programs. Amounts expected to be received from vendors relating to the purchase of merchandise inventories are recognized as a reduction of inventory cost and realized as part of cost of goods sold as the merchandise is sold. Amounts expected to be received from vendors that represent reimbursement for specific, incremental costs incurred by the Company related to selling a vendor's products, such as advertising, are recorded as an offset to those costs when they are recognized in the consolidated statement of income.

Inventory

Inventory: Inventory is valued at the lower of weighted-average cost or market value. The Company reserves for obsolete, overstocked and inactive inventory based on the difference between the weighted-average cost of the inventory and the estimated market value using assumptions of future demand and market conditions.

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable: The Company has agreements with third parties to provide accounts payable tracking and payment services which facilitate participating suppliers' ability to finance payment obligations from the Company with designated third-party financial institutions. Participating suppliers may, at their sole discretion, make offers to finance one or more payment obligations of the Company prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to participating financial institutions. The Company has no economic interest in the sale of these receivables. The Company's obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not impacted by suppliers' decisions to finance amounts under these arrangements. The Company presents these obligations as trade accounts payable.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization, which includes the amortization of assets recorded under capital obligations, are provided using the straight-line method over the following useful lives: 40 years for buildings; 3-10 years for furniture and fixtures; and 3-10 years for equipment, which includes computer equipment and software with estimated useful lives of 3-7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the underlying leases or the estimated economic lives of the improvements. Asset retirement obligations are recognized when incurred and the related cost is amortized over the remaining useful life of the related asset.

Lease Acquisition Costs

Lease Acquisition Costs: Lease acquisition costs, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the respective lease terms, including option renewal periods if renewal of the lease is reasonably assured, which range from 1 to 46 years.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company measures the fair value of financial instruments pursuant to the guidelines of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement ("ASC Topic 820"), which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement), then priority to quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 measurement), then the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Impairment of Goodwill

Impairment of Goodwill: The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit might exceed its current fair value. For the annual test, the Company may perform an initial qualitative assessment for certain reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This assessment is used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two step goodwill impairment test. For those reporting units for which the Company performs the two step impairment test, the Company determines fair value using discounted cash flow analysis, which requires management to make assumptions and estimates regarding industry economic factors and the future profitability of the Company's businesses. The Company does not rely on a market approach given that it believes there are an insufficient number of relevant guideline companies and comparable transactions. It is the Company's policy to allocate goodwill and conduct impairment testing at a reporting unit level based on its most current business plans, which reflect changes the Company anticipates in the economy and the industry. The Company established, and continues to evaluate, its reporting units based on its internal reporting structure and defines such reporting units at the operating segment level or one level below.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured based upon the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of an asset plus any net proceeds expected to be realized upon its eventual disposition. An impairment loss is recognized if an asset's carrying value is not recoverable and if it exceeds its fair value. Staples' policy is to evaluate long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows or other assets and liabilities.

Exit and Disposal Activities

Exit and Disposal Activities: The Company's policy is to recognize costs associated with exit and disposal activities, including restructurings, when a liability has been incurred. Employee termination costs associated with ongoing benefit arrangements are accrued when the obligations are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated, while costs associated with one-time benefit arrangements generally are accrued when the key terms of the arrangement have been communicated to the affected employees. Costs related to ongoing lease obligations for vacant facilities are recognized once the Company has ceased using the facility, and the related liability is recorded net of estimated future sublease income. Payments made to terminate a lease agreement prior to the end of its term are accrued when the termination agreement is signed, or when notification is given to the landlord if a lease agreement has a pre-existing termination clause. For property and equipment that the Company expects to retire at the time of a facility closing, the Company first reassesses the assets' estimated remaining useful lives and evaluates whether the assets are impaired on a held for use basis, and then accelerates depreciation as warranted.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of products and services when the following four criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized for product sales at the point of sale for the Company's retail operations and at the time of shipment for its delivery sales. The Company offers its customers various coupons, discounts and rebates, which are treated as a reduction of revenue.

The Company evaluates whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product and service sales and related costs or the net amount earned as a commission. In making this determination, the Company considers several factors, including which party in the transaction is the primary obligor, the degree of inventory risk, which party establishes pricing, the Company's ability to select vendors, and whether it earns a fixed amount per transaction. Generally, when the Company is the party in the transaction with the primary obligation to the customer or is subject to inventory risk, revenue is recorded at the gross sale price, assuming other factors corroborate that the Company is the principal party in the transaction. If the Company is not primarily obligated and does not have inventory risk, it generally records the net amount as a commission earned.

Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables that have value on a standalone basis are divided into separate units of accounting. Revenue is allocated to each deliverable using estimated selling prices if the Company does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of the selling prices of the deliverables. The Company recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting based on the nature of the deliverable and the revenue recognition guidance applicable to each unit.

Revenue is recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.

Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs

Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs: Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs includes the costs of merchandise sold, inbound and outbound freight, receiving and distribution, and store and distribution center occupancy (including real estate taxes and common area maintenance).

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs: All shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of goods sold and occupancy costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses include payroll, advertising and other operating expenses for the Company's stores and delivery operations not included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs.

Advertising

Advertising: Staples expenses the costs of producing an advertisement the first time the advertising takes place, except for the cost of direct response advertising, primarily catalog production costs, which are capitalized and amortized over their expected period of future benefits (i.e., the life of the catalog). Direct catalog production costs included in prepaid and other assets totaled $10.1 million and $14.3 million at January 31, 2015 and February 1, 2014, respectively. The cost of communicating an advertisement is expensed when the communication occurs.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topics 505 Equity and 718 Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation for restricted stock and restricted stock units is measured based on the closing market price of the Company's common stock price on the date of grant, less the present value of dividends expected to be paid on the underlying shares but foregone during the vesting period. Stock-based compensation for stock options is measured based on the estimated fair value of each award on the date of grant using a binomial valuation model. For awards with service conditions only, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation costs as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For awards that include performance conditions, the Company recognizes compensation expense during the performance period to the extent achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable relative to targeted performance. A change in the Company's estimate of the probable outcome of a performance condition is accounted for in the period of the change by recording a cumulative catch-up adjustment.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits: The Company maintains pension and post-retirement life insurance plans for certain employees globally. These plans include significant obligations, which are calculated based on actuarial valuations. Key assumptions used in determining these obligations and related expenses include expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates and inflation. The Company also makes assumptions regarding employee demographic factors such as retirement patterns, mortality, turnover and the rate of compensation increases. These assumptions are evaluated annually. Expected return on plan assets is determined using fair market value. The Company calculates amortization of actuarial gains and losses using the corridor approach and the estimated remaining service of plan participants.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency: The assets and liabilities of Staples' foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates as of the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses relate to the settlement of assets or liabilities in a currency other than the functional currency.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or as an adjustment to the carrying value of the hedged item. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting are reported in earnings.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Accounting for Income Taxes: Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted income tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are separated into current and non-current amounts based on the classification of the related assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes or the expected reversal date of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities if they are not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting purposes.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax provisions in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes. These provisions require companies to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, a pronouncement was issued that creates common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The new guidance supersedes most preexisting revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is not permitted. The standard shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. For Staples, the standard will be effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new pronouncement on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2014, a pronouncement was issued that changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. The new pronouncement stipulates that the disposal of a component of an entity is to be reported in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The pronouncement also removed the conditions that a) the operations and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations of the entity as a result of the disposal transaction and b) the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction. The Company adopted this guidance as of the beginning of its fiscal year 2014. The guidance applies to components of the Company that are disposed or classified as held for sale after the effective date. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements for 2014.