Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Oct. 29, 2011	Nov. 11, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	STAPLES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000791519
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 29, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		699,422,666
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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