Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jul. 12, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Schedule Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other	$ (768)
Goodwill	398,852	399,620
Accumulated impairment charges	(86,600)	(86,600)
Goodwill, net	312,252	313,020
Retail [Member]
Schedule Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other	(768)
Goodwill	253,670	254,438
Accumulated impairment charges	(86,600)	(86,600)
Goodwill, net	167,070	167,838
Food Distribution [Member]
Schedule Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	145,182	145,182
Goodwill, net	$ 145,182	$ 145,182

Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments And Disposal

No definition available.

Name:	sptn_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustmentsAndDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	sptn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	sptn_ScheduleOfGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	sptn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Goodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount before accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a,h)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated impairment loss for an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant