Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	STAGE STORES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000006885
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,460,168
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 28, 2012