Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2014	Feb. 02, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 134,526us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 620,069us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (210,825)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(403,419)	(126,795)	36,602
Disposal of foreign business, net	(1,335)	8,308	0
Changes in the fair value of derivatives, net	0	0	2,022
Deferred pension and other post-retirement benefit costs, net	(129,553)	737	(106,656)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(534,307)	(117,750)	(68,032)
Consolidated comprehensive (loss) income	(399,781)	502,319	(278,857)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to noncontrolling interests	(266)	631	879
Comprehensive (loss) income attributed to Staples, Inc.	$ (399,515)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 501,688us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (279,736)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of (increase) decrease in the value of the projected benefit obligation related to a change in an actuarial assumption and increase (decrease) in the value of the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for translation gain (loss) realized upon the sale or liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity and foreign currency hedges that are designated and qualified as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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