Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	4 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 10, 2012	Nov. 12, 2011	Nov. 10, 2012	Nov. 12, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 69,501	$ 94,554	$ 192,747	$ 254,023
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	6,951	8,626	17,423	20,949
Selling, general and administrative expenses	67,193	92,914	180,005	233,347
Depreciation and amortization	2,031	4,609	6,084	12,363
Impairments	3,955	0	25,843	0
Other charges	3,135	699	9,837	5,043
Total costs and expenses	83,265	106,848	239,192	271,702
Loss from continuing operations	(13,764)	(12,294)	(46,445)	(17,679)
Interest expense, net	6,068	1,286	11,204	2,562
Other expense, net	78	281	129	228
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(19,910)	(13,861)	(57,778)	(20,469)
Income tax expense (benefit)	176	(7,442)	283	(8,803)
Net loss from continuing operations	(20,086)	(6,419)	(58,061)	(11,666)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit	(120)	(830)	(2,076)	(1,220)
Net loss	(20,206)	(7,249)	(60,137)	(12,886)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	23	1	(105)	(139)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.	(20,229)	(7,250)	(60,032)	(12,747)
Amounts Attributable to CPI Corp. Common Stockholders:
Net loss from continuing operations, net of income tax (benefit) expense	$ (20,109)	$ (6,420)	$ (57,956)	$ (11,527)
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CPI CORP.
Net loss per share from continuing operations - basic and diluted	$ (2.79)	$ (0.91)	$ (8.14)	$ (1.64)
Net loss per share from discontinued operations - basic and diluted	$ (0.02)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.17)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	$ (2.81)	$ (1.03)	$ (8.43)	$ (1.81)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	7,200,318	7,039,858	7,118,255	7,026,855