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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Qu2FHfb6W9VWfpVFRcVJWDd6Tnh1eFysm0IPhU0AvjoB0TTeQmQRYDAoRd4EdaCD
 OlC4t+Iuu/jJRAzoq5XgtA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000025354-10-000016.txt : 20100309
<SEC-HEADER>0000025354-10-000016.hdr.sgml : 20100309
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100309162544
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000025354-10-000016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100302
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100309
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100309

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TARPLEY RICHARD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001230686

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10204
		FILM NUMBER:		10667411

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		# 4 BRIDLE CREEK RD
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63124

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:			0202

	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>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001230686</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TARPLEY RICHARD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>44 CREEKWOOD LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63124</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>CPI Corp. Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>555</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>13.11</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3381</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>CPI Corp. Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2087</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares surrendered in payment of tax liability for restricted stock awarded on 4/27/09 which vested 2/6/2010.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard L. Tarpley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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