Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012
Employee Housing Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Number of variable interest entities	4
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets	$ 33.0
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE liabilities	63.2
Amount outstanding in letters of credit	53.4
Avon Partners II, LLC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets	$ 4.7