Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011		Jan. 30, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net (loss) earnings attributable to Collective Brands, Inc. from continuing operations	$ (160.2)	$ 112.8		$ 82.6
Less: net earnings allocated to participating securities		1.8	[1]	1.1	[1]
Net (loss) earnings available to common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (160.2)	$ 111.0		$ 81.5
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	60,230,000	62,579,000		63,127,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	60,230,000	63,339,000		63,493,000
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (2.66)	$ 1.77		$ 1.29
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders from continuing operations	$ (2.66)	$ 1.75		$ 1.28
Number of shares excluded from stock options and stock-settled SARs for calculation of diluted earnings per share		3,800,000		4,800,000
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net effect of dilutive stock options and stock-settled SARs		154,000		139,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net effect of dilutive stock options and stock-settled SARs		606,000		227,000

[1] Net earnings allocated to participating securities is calculated based upon a weighted average percentage of participating securities in relation to total shares outstanding. Net losses are not allocated to participating securities.