2.0.0.10 false Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) 0020 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income true false In Thousands, except Per Share data false false 1 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDPerShare Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 false 2 usd $ false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDPerShare Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 5 Sales 3 us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 true true false false 6057795000 6057795 false false false 2 true true false false 5817559000 5817559 false false false Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 6 Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs 3 spls_CostOfGoodsSoldAndOccupancyCosts spls false debit duration monetary The cost of merchandise sold, inbound and outbound freight, receiving and distribution, and store and distribution center... false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 4438740000 4438740 false false false 2 false true false false 4291657000 4291657 false false false The cost of merchandise sold, inbound and outbound freight, receiving and distribution, and store and distribution center occupancy (including real estate taxes and common area maintenance). No authoritative reference available. false 7 Gross profit 3 us-gaap_GrossProfit us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1619055000 1619055 false false false 2 false true false false 1525902000 1525902 false false false Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity. No authoritative reference available. true 8 Operating and other expenses: 3 us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 9 Selling, general and administrative 4 us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 1220468000 1220468 false false false 2 false true false false 1198170000 1198170 false false false The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 5A false 10 Integration and restructuring costs 4 us-gaap_RestructuringCharges us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 20882000 20882 false false false 2 false true false false 18997000 18997 false false false Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs, excluding asset retirement obligations, associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a program that is planned and controlled by management, and materially changes either the scope of a business undertaken by an entity, or the manner in which that business is conducted. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 false 11 Amortization of intangibles 4 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 15399000 15399 false false false 2 false true false false 21871000 21871 false false false The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by (used in) operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(2) false 12 Total operating expenses 4 us-gaap_OperatingExpenses us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 1256749000 1256749 false false false 2 false true false false 1239038000 1239038 false false false Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense. No authoritative reference available. true 13 Operating income 3 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 362306000 362306 false false false 2 false true false false 286864000 286864 false false false The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. true 14 Other income (expense): 3 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 15 Interest income 4 us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 1771000 1771 false false false 2 false true false false 1672000 1672 false false false Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 false 16 Interest expense 4 us-gaap_InterestExpense us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -55474000 -55474 false false false 2 false true false false -60498000 -60498 false false false The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 9 -Subsection II Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 9 -Article 9 false 17 Other expense 4 us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false -631000 -631 false false false 2 false true false false -3642000 -3642 false false false The net amount of other nonoperating income and expense, which does not qualify for separate disclosure on the income statement under materiality guidelines. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 false 18 Consolidated income before income taxes 3 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 307972000 307972 false false false 2 false true false false 224396000 224396 false false false Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 true 19 Income tax expense 3 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 115490000 115490 false false false 2 false true false false 77417000 77417 false false false The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b false 20 Consolidated net income 3 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 192482000 192482 false false false 2 false true false false 146979000 146979 false false false The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) true 21 Income attributed to the noncontrolling interests 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest us-gaap true debit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 3712000 3712 false false false 2 false true false false 4015000 4015 false false false The portion of net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 false 22 Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. 3 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration monetary No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 true true false false 188770000 188770 false false false 2 true true false false 142964000 142964 false false false The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph d Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A7 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 10, 15 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 87-21 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28, 29, 30 true 23 Earnings Per Share: 3 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false No definition available. false 24 Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share) 4 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic us-gaap true na duration decimal No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel true 1 true true false false 0.26 0.26 false false false 2 true true false false 0.20 0.20 false false false The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. 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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 11, 12, 36 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 18 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 21 -Article 9 false 26 Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) 3 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared us-gaap true na duration decimal No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel true 1 true true false false 0.09 0.09 false false false 2 true true false false 0.08 0.08 false false false Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. 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