-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025354-06-000019.txt : 20060425
<SEC-HEADER>0000025354-06-000019.hdr.sgml : 20060425
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060425181422
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025354-06-000019
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060421
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060425
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060425

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Heins Dale E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001338293

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10204
		FILM NUMBER:		06779131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		314-231-1575

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1706 WASHINGTON AVENUE
		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>2006-04-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001338293</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Heins Dale E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1706 WASHINGTON AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Principal Accounting Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>CPI Corp. Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-04-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1082</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1946</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>CPI Corp. Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-03-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>124</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>995</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>Restricted Stock of 1,082 shares awarded April 21, 2006; vest in full on February 3, 2007.

Includes 124 shares of employer match for 2005 constributions.  Shares are held in Trust by Ameriprise Trust Company, Trustee for the CPI Corp. Employees' Profit Sharing Plan.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dale E. Heins</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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