Associate Retirement Plans - Components of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	4 Months Ended
Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
SpartanNash Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 1,023
Expected return on plan assets	(1,515)
Recognized actuarial net loss	255
Net periodic benefit	(237)
Total expense (income)	(237)
Combined SpartanNash Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost		1,355
Expected return on plan assets		(1,865)
Recognized actuarial net loss		305
Net periodic benefit		(205)
Total expense (income)		(205)
Cash Balance Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost		741
Expected return on plan assets		(1,156)
Recognized actuarial net loss		305
Net periodic benefit		(110)
Total expense (income)		(110)
Super Foods Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost		614
Expected return on plan assets		(709)
Net periodic benefit		(95)
Total expense (income)		(95)
SERP [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	10	11
Recognized actuarial net loss	13	9
Net periodic benefit	23	20
Spartan Stores Medical Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	71	57
Interest cost	125	121
Amortization of prior service cost	(49)	(48)
Recognized actuarial net loss	53	6
Net periodic benefit	$ 200	$ 136

Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost before settlement expense.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Gain or Loss

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6514294

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

-Glossary Gain or Loss

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6749293

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- Definition

The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

+ References

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512136

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512171

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

+ References

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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