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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Sep. 24, 2011 shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 24, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	odp
Entity Registrant Name	OFFICE DEPOT INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000800240
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	280,467,693

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 452,652	$ 627,478	$ 678,717
Receivables, net	918,580	963,787	987,013
Inventories	1,124,013	1,233,657	1,183,854
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	165,620	203,020	163,119
Total current assets	2,660,865	3,027,942	3,012,703
Property and equipment, net	1,081,905	1,157,013	1,219,151
Goodwill	61,608	19,431	19,431
Other intangible assets	36,752	21,840	22,634
Deferred income taxes	37,913	33,319	81,395
Other assets	291,448	309,892	313,628
Total assets	4,170,491	4,569,437	4,668,942
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	877,090	1,080,276	1,045,121
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,039,776	1,188,233	1,170,788
Income taxes payable	4,052	2,568	6,653
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	35,253	72,368	73,475
Total current liabilities	1,956,171	2,343,445	2,296,037
Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities	464,586	514,218	582,081
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	647,674	659,820	657,164
Total liabilities	3,068,431	3,517,483	3,535,282
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable preferred stock, net (liquidation preference - $368,516 in 2011 and 2010	355,979	355,979	355,979
Office Depot, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock - authorized 800,000,000 shares of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding shares - 286,382,961 in 2011, 283,059,236 in December 2010 and 282,982,123 in September 2010	2,864	2,831	2,830
Additional paid-in capital	1,143,938	1,161,409	1,164,525
Accumulated other comprehensive income	216,273	223,807	205,761
Accumulated deficit	(559,474)	(634,818)	(535,407)
Treasury stock, at cost - 5,915,268 shares in 2011 and 2010	(57,733)	(57,733)	(57,733)
Total Office Depot, Inc. stockholders' equity	745,868	695,496	779,976
Noncontrolling interest	213	479	(2,295)
Total stockholders' equity	746,081	695,975	777,681
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,170,491	$ 4,569,437	$ 4,668,942

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Redeemable preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 368,516	$ 368,516	$ 368,516
Common stock, authorized shares	800,000,000	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, issued shares	286,382,961	283,059,236	282,982,123
Common stock, outstanding shares	286,382,961	283,059,236	282,982,123
Treasury stock, shares	5,915,268	5,915,268	5,915,268

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Sales	$ 2,836,737	$ 2,899,717	$ 8,519,838	$ 8,671,162
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,981,717	2,070,534	5,992,578	6,161,560
Gross profit	855,020	829,183	2,527,260	2,509,602
Store and warehouse operating and selling expenses	672,621	665,905	2,013,170	1,998,339
General and administrative expenses	163,282	154,965	492,608	475,043
Operating profit	19,117	8,313	21,482	36,220
Other income (expense):
Interest income	317	2,513	1,158	3,493
Interest expense	17,306	(6,093)	(19,512)	(40,456)
Miscellaneous income, net	5,536	11,189	19,869	21,969
Earnings before income taxes	42,276	15,922	22,997	21,226
Income tax benefit	(58,573)	(24,700)	(52,346)	(32,496)
Net earnings	100,849	40,622	75,343	53,722
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(23)	(632)	(1)	(1,066)
Net earnings attributable to Office Depot, Inc.	100,872	41,254	75,344	54,788
Preferred stock dividends	9,213	9,210	27,639	27,898
Net earnings available to common shareholders	$ 91,659	$ 32,044	$ 47,705	$ 26,890
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.17	$ 0.10
Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.12	$ 0.17	$ 0.10
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	278,559	275,956	277,627	275,170
Diluted	357,036	275,956	277,627	275,170

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 75,343	$ 53,722
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	157,761	155,681
Charges for losses on inventories and receivables	42,834	42,784
Changes in working capital and other	(255,945)	(70,301)
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,993	181,886
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(89,143)	(120,469)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	(72,667)	(10,952)
Release of restricted cash	46,509
Proceeds from assets sold and other	7,891	25,824
Net cash used in investing activities	(107,410)	(105,597)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	784	2,226
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	(1,262)	(21,786)
Share transactions under employee related plans	(695)	(1,281)
Preferred stock dividends	(27,639)	(18,688)
Debt related fees	(9,945)	(4,688)
Net proceeds (payments) on long- and short-term borrowings	(58,583)	(2,669)
Net cash used in financing activities	(97,340)	(46,886)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	9,931	(10,584)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(174,826)	18,819
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	627,478	659,898
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 452,652	$ 678,717

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 24, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Note A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies *Basis of Presentation:* Office Depot, Inc., including consolidated subsidiaries, ("Office Depot") is a global supplier of office products and services. Fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2011 is a 53-week year, with the fourth quarter including 14 weeks of operations. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 25, 2010 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements as of September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010, and for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended September 24, 2011 (also referred to as "the third quarter of 2011" and "the year-to-date 2011") and September 25, 2010 (also referred to as "the third quarter of 2010" and "the year-to-date 2010") are unaudited. However, in our opinion, these financial statements reflect adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring items) necessary to provide a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. We have included the balance sheet from September 25, 2010 to assist in analyzing our company. The balance of short-term deferred income taxes in the September 25, 2010 balance sheet has been combined with prepaid expenses and other current assets to conform to presentations used at December 25, 2010 and September 24, 2011. Additionally, the valuation allowance and non-cash tax settlements and changes in working capital and other line items in the operating activities section, and proceeds from assets sold and other line items in the investing activities section, have been combined in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the 39-week period ended September 25, 2010 to conform to the year-to-date 2011 presentation. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year. For a better understanding of Office Depot and its condensed consolidated financial statements, we recommend reading these condensed interim financial statements in conjunction with the audited financial statements which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, as amended (the "2010 Form 10-K/A"), filed on April 6, 2011 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). *Cash Management:* Our cash management process generally utilizes zero balance accounts which provide for the reimbursement of the related disbursement accounts on a daily basis. Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of September 24, 2011, December 25, 2010 and September 25, 2010 included $45 million, $64 million and $54 million, respectively, of disbursements not yet presented for payment drawn in excess of our book deposit balances, after considering offset provisions. We may borrow to meet working capital and other needs throughout any given quarter, which may result in higher levels of borrowings and invested cash within the period. At the end of the quarter, excess cash may be used to minimize borrowings outstanding at the balance sheet date. *New Accounting Pronouncements:* Effective for the first quarter of 2012, a new accounting standard will require the presentation of net income and other comprehensive income either as a continuous statement or as two separate statements. In past periods, we have presented the components of other comprehensive income as a separate statement for the full year and as a separate footnote for interim periods. We have not yet decided on the format that will be used in future periods. The standard will not change the recognition or measurement of net income or other comprehensive income. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. Entities will have an option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of their reporting units. If, based on the qualitative assessment, an entity concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, quantitative testing for impairment is not necessary. The new accounting standard is applicable for goodwill impairment testing performed in years beginning after December 15, 2011 and early adoption is permitted. There are no recently issued accounting standards that are expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Asset Impairments, Exit Costs And Other Charges

9 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2011

Asset Impairments, Exit Costs And Other Charges [Abstract]

Asset Impairments, Exit Costs And Other Charges

Note B – Asset Impairments, Exit Costs and Other Charges

The company has been adversely affected by the downturn in the global economy in recent years and has taken actions to adapt to the changing and increasingly competitive conditions including closing stores and distribution centers ("DCs"), consolidating functional activities and disposing of businesses and assets. Exit costs related to these activities recognized during the year-to-date 2011 totaled approximately $25 million. Of this amount, approximately $17 million is included in Store and warehouse operating and selling expenses and approximately $8 million is included in General and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Exit cost accruals related to prior and current actions are as follows:


(Dollars in millions)	Balance at December 25, 2010		Charges Incurred		Cash Payments		Currency and Other Adjustments		Balance at September 24, 2011

Termination benefits	$	4	$	13	$	(12)	$	—	$	5
Lease, contract, and other costs		113		22		(42)		5		98

Total	$	117	$	35	$	(54)	$	5	$	103

The charges of $35 million recognized during the year-to-date 2011 include approximately $10 million of accretion, adjustments and settlements of lease obligations from facilities closed in prior years.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 24, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note G – Income Taxes The effective tax rate for the third quarter and year-to-date 2011 was -139% and -228%, respectively, compared to -155% and -153% for the same periods of 2010. The rates for all periods presented reflect settlement of uncertain tax positions ("UTPs"). The 2011 rates include the reversal of $66 million of UTP accruals following closure of certain tax audits and the expiration of the statute of limitations on previously open tax years. The 2010 effective rates include tax benefits from the settlement of UTPs and filing adjustments of approximately $33 million for the third quarter and year-to-date periods. In addition, the year-to-date 2010 period included approximately $13 million of discrete benefits from the release of a valuation allowance in Europe because of improved performance in that jurisdiction. The aggregate settlement of UTPs in the third quarter of 2010 was reduced by approximately $7 million which was offset against other tax-related accounts and had no impact on earnings. The tax settlements also resulted in a reversal of previously accrued interest expense of $32 million in 2011 and $11 million in 2010, as well as recognition of $2 million of interest income in 2010. Our accounting policy is to include accrued interest on UTPs, and any related reversals, as a component of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The reversal in 2011 resulted in interest expense for the third quarter of 2011 being negative. Following the recognition of significant valuation allowances in 2009, we have regularly experienced substantial volatility in our effective tax rate for interim periods. Because deferred income tax benefits cannot be recognized in several jurisdictions, changes in the amount, mix and timing of projected pre-tax earnings in tax paying jurisdictions can have a significant impact on the annual expected tax rate ("AETR") which, applied against year-to-date results, can result in significant volatility in the overall effective tax rate. This interim volatility is likely to continue in future periods until the valuation allowances can be released. We file a U.S. federal income tax return and other income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to active U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations for years before 2009. The U.S. federal tax returns for 2009, 2010 and 2011 are under review. Significant international tax jurisdictions include the U.K., the Netherlands, France and Germany. Generally, we are subject to routine examination for years 2006 and forward in these foreign jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that some audits will close within the next twelve months which could result in a decrease of as much as $18 million or an increase of as much as $7 million to our accrued uncertain tax positions. As part of the ongoing 2009 audit, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has proposed a deemed royalty assessment from our foreign operations with a tax and penalty amount of approximately $30 million. The company disagrees with this assessment and, based on the technical merits of this issue, believes that no accrual is required at this time. Also, no amounts are included for this assessment in the disclosure above of reasonably possible changes within the next twelve months to our accrued uncertain tax positions. The company is working with its outside tax advisors and the IRS to resolve this dispute in a timely manner. The company may receive similar proposed assessments for subsequent fiscal years until this matter is resolved. Separately, the company has filed with the IRS for reconsideration of some or all of the 2010 denied carryback claim. We cannot estimate the outcome of this request.

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Sep. 24, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Note K – Commitments and Contingencies We are involved in litigation arising in the normal course of our business. While, from time to time, claims are asserted that make demands for a large sum of money (including, from time to time, actions which are asserted to be maintainable as class action suits), we do not believe that contingent liabilities related to these matters (including the matters discussed below), either individually or in the aggregate, will materially affect our financial position, results of our operations or cash flows. On April 6, 2011, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against the company and certain current and former executive officers alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and seeking damages, fees, costs and equitable relief. The allegations made in this lawsuit primarily relate to the company's previous financial disclosures and reports regarding the certain tax losses described below. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida captioned as Climo v. Office Depot, Inc, Steve Odland, Michael D. Newman and Neil R. Austrian. The Court granted a request by the Central Laborers' Pension Fund ("CLPF") to appoint it as lead plaintiff in the case and the CLPF filed its amended complaint on September 6, 2011. The company's response is due in November 2011. On June 17, 2011, a derivative lawsuit was filed against certain current and former executive officers and the company, generally alleging that the officers breached their fiduciary duties. The allegations in this lawsuit primarily relate to the company's previous financial disclosures and reports regarding the certain tax losses described below. The derivative lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida captioned as Long v. Steve Odland, Michael D. Newman and Neil R. Austrian, defendants, and Office Depot, Inc., nominal defendant. A Special Litigation Committee was appointed by the company's Board of Directors to review the allegations and the Court agreed to stay the case pending the Board's investigation. The allegations made in the above lawsuits primarily relate to the company's previous financial disclosures and reports regarding certain tax losses. On March 31, 2011, Office Depot announced that the Internal Revenue Service had denied the company's claim to carry back certain tax losses to prior tax years under economic stimulus-based tax legislation enacted in 2009. As a result, on April 6, 2011, the company restated its financial results to revise the accounting treatment regarding its original tax position. The periods covered by the restatement are the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 and each of the quarters ended June 26, 2010 and September 25, 2010. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, our sales to and transactions with government customers may be subject to investigations, audits and review by governmental authorities and regulatory agencies, with which we cooperate. Many of these investigations, audits and reviews are resolved without incident. While claims in these matters may at times assert large demands, we do not believe that contingent liabilities related to these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will materially affect our financial position, results of our operations or cash flows. Among such matters, during the first quarter of 2011, we were notified that the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") commenced an investigation into certain pricing practices related to an expired agreement that was in place between January 2, 2006 and January 1, 2011, pursuant to which state, local and non-profit agencies could purchase office supplies. We are cooperating with the DOJ on this investigation.

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
Acquisition	Sep. 24, 2011
Acquisition [Abstract]
Acquisition	Note L – Acquisition On February 25, 2011, the company acquired all of the shares of Svanströms Gruppen (Frans Svanströms & Co AB), a supplier of office products and services headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden to complement the company's existing business in that region. As part of this all-cash transaction, the company recognized approximately $46 million of goodwill, primarily attributable to anticipated synergies, $20 million of amortizing intangible assets for customer relationships and proprietary names, and $18 million of net working capital and property and equipment. The amortizing intangible assets have a weighted average life of 6.9 years. Operations have been included in the International Division results since the date of acquisition. Supplemental pro forma information as if the entities were combined at earlier periods is not provided based on materiality considerations.

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Disbursements not yet presented for payment drawn in excess of deposit balances	$ 45	$ 64	$ 54

Asset Impairments, Exit Costs And Other Charges (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)
Asset Impairments, Exit Costs, And Other Charges [Line Items]
Exit related charges	$ 35
Accretion, adjustments and settlements of lease obligations	10
Closing Store And Distribution Centers [Member]
Asset Impairments, Exit Costs, And Other Charges [Line Items]
Exit related charges	25
Store, Warehouse Operating And Selling Expenses [Member]
Asset Impairments, Exit Costs, And Other Charges [Line Items]
Exit related charges	17
General And Administrative Expense [Member]
Asset Impairments, Exit Costs, And Other Charges [Line Items]
Exit related charges	$ 8

Asset Impairments, Exit Costs And Other Charges (Exit Cost Accruals) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance at December 25, 2010	$ 117
Charges Incurred	35
Cash Payments	(54)
Currency and Other Adjustments	5
Balance at September 24, 2011	103
Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance at December 25, 2010	4
Charges Incurred	13
Cash Payments	(12)
Balance at September 24, 2011	5
Lease, Contract, And Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance at December 25, 2010	113
Charges Incurred	22
Cash Payments	(42)
Currency and Other Adjustments	5
Balance at September 24, 2011	$ 98

Division Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Division Information [Abstract]
Goodwill balance	$ 61,608	$ 19,431	$ 19,431

Division Information (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 26, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,232,766
Accumulated impairment losses		(1,213,335)
Beginning Balance	$ 19,431
Goodwill acquired during the year	45,805
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(3,628)
Ending Balance	61,608
North American Retail Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill		1,842
Accumulated impairment losses		(1,842)
Beginning Balance
Goodwill acquired during the year
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
Ending Balance
North American Business Solutions Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill		367,790
Accumulated impairment losses		(348,359)
Beginning Balance	19,431
Goodwill acquired during the year
Foreign currency exchange rate changes
Ending Balance	19,431
International Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill		863,134
Accumulated impairment losses		$ (863,134)
Beginning Balance
Goodwill acquired during the year	45,805
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(3,628)
Ending Balance	$ 42,177

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 25, 2010 USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2011 GBP (£)	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unfunded benefit obligation					£ 42.2	$ 65.3
Interest rate spread over EURIBOR					0.50%	0.50%
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost
Interest cost	2.5	2.7	7.4	7.8
Expected return on plan assets	(2.4)	(2.1)	(7.1)	(5.9)
Net periodic pension cost (gain)	$ 0.1	$ 0.6	$ 0.3	$ 1.9

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Estimated annual effective tax benefit rate	(139.00%)	(155.00%)	(228.00%)	(153.00%)
Potential reversal of accrued uncertain tax positions			$ 66
Settlements and filing adjustments		$ (33)		$ (33)
Valuation allowance, amount				(13)
Settlement of tax positions		(7)
Potential reversal of accrued interest	$ 32	$ 11	32	11
Potential decrease to liability for uncertain tax positions	18		18
Potential increase to liability for uncertain tax positions	$ 7		7
Tax and penalty			$ 30
Income Tax [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Interest income				$ 2

Fair Value Measurements (Narative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
North American Retail Division [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 4.5	$ 0.7	$ 2.3

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value) (Details) - Level 2 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Category, Assets	$ 952
Fair Value Measurement Category, Liabilities	38	434	304
Commodity Contracts - Fuel [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement Category, Assets	$ 725	$ 253

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Senior Notes) (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Senior notes, Face Amount	$ 400,000,000
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
$400 million senior notes	399,998,000	$ 400,067,000	$ 400,093,000
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
$400 million senior notes	$ 388,000,000	$ 398,000,000	$ 393,480,000

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activity (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011
Commodity Contracts - Fuel [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Notional amount of hedge (in gallons of fuel)	3,100,000
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Number of arrangements requiring collateral	0

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activity (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Derivative Instruments By Balance Sheet Location) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010	Sep. 25, 2010
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total Liabilities	$ 38	$ 434	$ 304
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total assets	1,677	253
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total Liabilities		317	$ 304
Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total assets	559
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total Liabilities	38	117
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total assets	393
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Commodity Contracts - Fuel [Member] \| Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, Total assets	$ 725	$ 253

Investment In Unconsolidated Joint Venture (Schedule Of Information From Balance Sheets And Statements Of Earnings) (Details) - Office Depot De Mexico [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2011	Jun. 25, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010	Dec. 25, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 302,491		$ 281,221	$ 302,491	$ 281,221	$ 328,854
Non-current assets	283,925		275,398	283,925	275,398	289,200
Current liabilities	197,762		163,658	197,762	163,658	202,834
Non-current liabilities	2,890		2,412	2,890	2,412	$ 3,667
Sales	308,128		255,228	851,937	682,983
Gross profit	87,819		72,449	245,256	195,833
Net income	$ 17,553		$ 17,313	$ 49,247	$ 41,952
Dividends received from joint venture		$ 25,000

Acquisition (Details) - Frans Svanstroms & Co AB [Member] $ in Millions	Feb. 25, 2011 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 46
Amortizing intangible assets	20
Net working capital, property and equipment	$ 18
Amortizable assets, weighted average life, years	6.9

Amended And Restated Agreements (Details) $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
Amended And Restated Agreements (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 20, 2011 USD ($)	May 25, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 25, 2011 USD ($)
Amended And Restated Agreements [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding		$ 1,000.0
Reduction in applicable borrowing spread, basis points		50
Minimum liquidity requirement		$ 600.0	$ 500.0
Line of credit restricted payments, amount			$ 75.0
Fixed charge coverage ratio change			1.25 to 1.10
Line of credit funded reserve	$ 6.0
Unfunded accrual, amount	$ 8.0
Maximum [Member]
Amended And Restated Agreements [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding			$ 12.0	$ 17.5
Fixed charge coverage ratio		187.5
Minimum [Member]
Amended And Restated Agreements [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio		125.0
Fixed charge coverage ratio other transactions threshold			1.0
Previously Existing Agreement [Member]
Amended And Restated Agreements [Line Items]
Credit agreement, borrowing capacity		$ 1,250.0