XML 63 R9.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT ﻿
v2.3.0.11

Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Companies Acquired | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jul. 02, 2011
Goodwill Disclosure [Abstract] |
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block] | Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Companies Acquired Cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired, allocated to the company's business segments, is as follows:
|  | Global Components |  | Global ECS |  | Total
December 31, 2010 |  | $ | 670,871 |  |  | $ | 665,480 |  |  | $ | 1,336,351 |
Acquisitions |  | 35,184 |  |  | 41,746 |  |  | 76,930 |
Other (primarily foreign currency translation) |  | 1,080 |  |  | 18,231 |  |  | 19,311 |
July 2, 2011 |  | $ | 707,135 |  |  | $ | 725,457 |  |  | $ | 1,432,592 |
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist.

X
- Definition Goodwill Disclosure [Abstract]. + Details
Name: | arw_GoodwillDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | arw
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for goodwill. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GoodwillDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration