Nature of Operations	6 Months Ended
Aug. 03, 2013
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
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 August 3, 2013, the Company operated 355 stores totaling approximately 2.1 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. *Liquidity and Cash Flows:* The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash and cash equivalents on hand, 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 2012, management carried out certain strategic initiatives in its efforts to reduce certain operating costs. In addition, management closed 33 stores and plans to continue its evaluation of profitability of the Company’s stores in consideration of lease terms, conditions and expirations, including considering new and relocated stores. Management has continued many of the initiatives begun in 2012 as part of the execution of its operating plan for 2013, including a focus on improved product selection based on customer preferences and industry changes, as well as further streamlining of its operations. The Company opened 9 stores and closed 12 stores during the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013. Based on the Company’s current cash position, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan (See Note 10 for further details). *Seasonality:* The Company’s business is seasonal, with the fourth fiscal quarter constituting the Company’s peak selling period. In fiscal 2012, the fourth quarter accounted for approximately 36% of annual net sales. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 consisted of 14 weeks. In anticipation of increased sales activity in the fourth quarter, the Company purchases additional inventory and hires seasonal associates to supplement its core store sales and distribution center staff. If, for any reason, the Company’s sales were below seasonal norms during the fourth quarter, the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected. Quarterly sales can also be affected by the timing of new product releases, new store openings, store closings and the performance of existing stores.

Nature of Operations

6 Months Ended

Aug. 03, 2013

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 August 3, 2013, the Company operated 355 stores totaling approximately 2.1 million square feet in the United States, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Liquidity and Cash Flows:

The Company’s primary sources of working capital are cash and cash equivalents on hand, 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 2012, management carried out certain strategic initiatives in its efforts to reduce certain operating costs. In addition, management closed 33 stores and plans to continue its evaluation of profitability of the Company’s stores in consideration of lease terms, conditions and expirations, including considering new and relocated stores. Management has continued many of the initiatives begun in 2012 as part of the execution of its operating plan for 2013, including a focus on improved product selection based on customer preferences and industry changes, as well as further streamlining of its operations. The Company opened 9 stores and closed 12 stores during the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2013.

Based on the Company’s current cash position, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan (See Note 10 for further details).

Seasonality:

The Company’s business is seasonal, with the fourth fiscal quarter constituting the Company’s peak selling period. In fiscal 2012, the fourth quarter accounted for approximately 36% of annual net sales. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 consisted of 14 weeks. In anticipation of increased sales activity in the fourth quarter, the Company purchases additional inventory and hires seasonal associates to supplement its core store sales and distribution center staff. If, for any reason, the Company’s sales were below seasonal norms during the fourth quarter, the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected. Quarterly sales can also be affected by the timing of new product releases, new store openings, store closings and the performance of existing stores.