Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2012
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	Note 1. Nature of Operations Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries (“the Company”) is one of the largest specialty retailers of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend, video games and related products in the United States. The Company operates a chain of retail entertainment stores, primarily under the names f.y.e. for your entertainment and Suncoast Motion Pictures, and e-commerce sites, www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com, and www.secondspin.com in a single industry segment. As of April 28, 2012, the Company operated 379 stores totaling approximately 2.4 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Liquidity and Cash Flows: The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash provided by operations and borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility (See Note 6 for further details). The Company’s cash flows fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to various items, including seasonality of sales and earnings, merchandise inventory purchases and returns and the related terms on the purchases and capital expenditures. Management believes it will have adequate resources to fund its cash needs for the next twelve months and beyond, including its capital spending, its seasonal increase in merchandise inventory and other operating cash requirements and commitments. During Fiscal 2011, management carried out certain strategic initiatives in its efforts to reduce operating costs such as the reduction of headcount at the home office and the elimination or curtailment of certain other general and administrative expenses. Also, during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011, management closed 50 stores. Management has continued many of the initiatives begun in 2011, as part of the execution of its operating plan for 2012; including a focus on the operation of a core base of stores, improved product selection based on customer preferences and industry changes, as well as further streamlining of its operations. An additional 11 stores closed in the thirteen weeks ended April 28, 2012. The Company will continue its evaluation of its remaining stores profitability in consideration of lease terms, conditions and expirations. Seasonality: The Company’s business is seasonal in nature, with the fourth fiscal quarter constituting the Company’s peak selling period. In 2011, the fourth fiscal quarter accounted for approximately 36% of annual sales and all of its income from operations for the year. In anticipation of increased sales activity during these months, the Company purchases additional inventory and hires additional seasonal employees to supplement its core store sales staff. If, for any reason, the Company’s net sales were below seasonal norms during the fourth quarter, the Company’s operating results, particularly operating and net income, would be adversely affected. Additionally, quarterly sales results, in general, are affected by the timing of new product releases, store closings and the performance of existing stores.

Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

Note 1. Nature of Operations

Trans World Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries (“the Company”) is one of the largest specialty retailers of entertainment products, including video, music, electronics, trend, video games and related products in the United States. The Company operates a chain of retail entertainment stores, primarily under the names f.y.e. for your entertainment and Suncoast Motion Pictures, and e-commerce sites, www.fye.com, www.wherehouse.com, and www.secondspin.com in a single industry segment. As of April 28, 2012, the Company operated 379 stores totaling approximately 2.4 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Liquidity and Cash Flows:
The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash provided by operations and borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility (See Note 6 for further details). The Company’s cash flows fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to various items, including seasonality of sales and earnings, merchandise inventory purchases and returns and the related terms on the purchases and capital expenditures. Management believes it will have adequate resources to fund its cash needs for the next twelve months and beyond, including its capital spending, its seasonal increase in merchandise inventory and other operating cash requirements and commitments. During Fiscal 2011, management carried out certain strategic initiatives in its efforts to reduce operating costs such as the reduction of headcount at the home office and the elimination or curtailment of certain other general and administrative expenses. Also, during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011, management closed 50 stores. Management has continued many of the initiatives begun in 2011, as part of the execution of its operating plan for 2012; including a focus on the operation of a core base of stores, improved product selection based on customer preferences and industry changes, as well as further streamlining of its operations. An additional 11 stores closed in the thirteen weeks ended April 28, 2012. The Company will continue its evaluation of its remaining stores profitability in consideration of lease terms, conditions and expirations.

Seasonality:
The Company’s business is seasonal in nature, with the fourth fiscal quarter constituting the Company’s peak selling period. In 2011, the fourth fiscal quarter accounted for approximately 36% of annual sales and all of its income from operations for the year. In anticipation of increased sales activity during these months, the Company purchases additional inventory and hires additional seasonal employees to supplement its core store sales staff. If, for any reason, the Company’s net sales were below seasonal norms during the fourth quarter, the Company’s operating results, particularly operating and net income, would be adversely affected. Additionally, quarterly sales results, in general, are affected by the timing of new product releases, store closings and the performance of existing stores.