Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 10, 2012	Dec. 26, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	CPI CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000025354
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--02-02
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,200,318
Document Period End Date	Nov. 10, 2012