Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation - Summary of Changes in SpartanNash's Self-Insurance Liability (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 7,167	$ 19,413	$ 22,454
Balance assumed in merger	13,248
Expenses	25,291	43,851	53,297
Claim payments, net of employee contributions	(23,252)	(48,798)	(56,338)
Balance at end of period	$ 22,454	$ 14,466	$ 19,413

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable to insurance entities to mitigate potential loss from various risks or to satisfy a promise to provide certain coverage's to employees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph a
-Article 7

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant