Document and Entity Information Document - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2017	Aug. 22, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STAPLES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000791519
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 29, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-03
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		656,713,321
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes