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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 L3CsayZ8JucBkWfMmUWTfj7oWStXCTSHqLjgKwGe6flbVL00/3V1nWPYggL/pPgZ
 16Vf7SI4f/XSzSTIB0NEOA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025354-05-000013.txt : 20050509
<SEC-HEADER>0000025354-05-000013.hdr.sgml : 20050509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050509174312
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025354-05-000013
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050505
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050509
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABEL JAMES J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192135

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10204
		FILM NUMBER:		05813211

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LAMSON & SESSION CO
		STREET 2:		25701 SCIENCE PARK DRIVE
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44122

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CPI CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000025354
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PERSONAL SERVICES [7200]
		IRS NUMBER:				431256674
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0206

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1706 WASHINGTON AVE
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63103-1790
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3142311575

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1706 WASHINGTON AVE
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63103
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000025354</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CPI CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CPY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192135</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ABEL JAMES J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>25701 SCIENCE PARK DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44122</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>CPI Corp. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-05-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3402</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3402</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>Awarded under Company's Restricted Stock Plan pursuant to Director's election to receive restricted stock in lieu of cash compensation for 2005 board and committee chair retainers.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James J. Abel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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