Advance Auto Parts (AAP) 10-Q 2 Jun 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document Document (USD $)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	28-May-15	Jul. 11, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Advance Auto Parts Inc
Entity Central Index Key	1158449
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-1
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	25-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		73,178,233
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Public Float			$9,680,305,678

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$123,821	$104,671
Receivables, net	631,926	579,825
Inventories, net	4,104,777	3,936,955
Other current assets	76,341	119,589
Total current assets	4,936,865	4,741,040
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,415,990 and $1,372,359	1,397,950	1,432,030
Assets held for sale	615	615
Goodwill	993,276	995,426
Intangible assets, net	729,765	748,125
Other assets, net	88,224	45,122
Assets, Total	8,146,695	7,962,358
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	587	582
Accounts payable	3,138,574	3,095,365
Accrued expenses	536,931	520,673
Other current liabilities	148,386	126,446
Total current liabilities	3,824,478	3,743,066
Long-term debt	1,609,687	1,636,311
Other long-term liabilities	565,942	580,069
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, nonvoting, $0.0001 par value	0	0
Common stock, voting, $0.0001 par value	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	572,169	562,945
Treasury stock, at cost	-114,634	-113,044
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-19,978	-12,337
Retained earnings	1,709,024	1,565,341
Total stockholders' equity	2,146,588	2,002,912
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	$8,146,695	$7,962,358

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated Depreciation, Property and Equipment	$1,415,990	$1,372,359
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Net sales	$3,038,233	$2,969,499
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	1,644,309	1,616,377
Gross profit	1,393,924	1,353,122
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,131,396	1,097,320
Operating income	262,528	255,802
Interest expense	-21,777	-23,642
Other income, net	-1,908	603
Total other, net	-23,685	-23,039
Income before provision for income taxes	238,843	232,763
Provision for income taxes	90,731	85,037
Net income	$148,112	$147,726
Basic earnings per common share	$2.02	$2.02
Diluted earnings per common share	$2	$2.01
Dividends declared per common share	$0.06	$0.06
Weighted average common shares outstanding	73,122	72,869
Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	73,653	73,355

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Net income	$148,112	$147,726
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of $115 and $118 tax	-178	-184
Currency translation adjustments	-7,463	-3,240
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,641	-3,424
Comprehensive income	$140,471	$144,302

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Changes in net unrecognized postretirement benefit costs, Tax	$115	$118

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock, at cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Jan. 03, 2015	$2,002,912	$0	$7	$562,945	($113,044)	($12,337)	$1,565,341
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015		0	74,493		1,419
Net income	148,112						148,112
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,641					-7,641
Issuance of shares upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights	0
Issuance of shares upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights (in shares)			73
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	-7,572			-7,572
Tax benefit from share-based compensation, net	6,499			6,499
Restricted stock and restricted stock units vested	0
Restricted stock and restricted stock units vested (in shares)			21
Share-based compensation	8,945			8,945
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	1,341			1,341
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan (in shares)			10
Repurchase of common stock	-1,590				-1,590
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					10
Cash dividends ($0.06 per common share)	-4,429						-4,429
Other	11			11
Balance at Apr. 25, 2015	$2,146,588	$0	$7	$572,169	($114,634)	($19,978)	$1,709,024
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 25, 2015		0	74,597		1,429

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
Dividends declared per common share	$0.06	$0.06

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$148,112	$147,726
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	83,247	88,205
Share-based compensation	8,945	7,133
Loss on property and equipment, net	5,371	455
Other	818	792
(Benefit) provision for deferred income taxes	-5,206	5,202
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-6,498	-4,165
Net increase decrease in, net of effects from acquisition of businesses:
Receivables, net	-53,526	-45,507
Inventories, net	-171,865	-196,062
Other assets	-845	-16,458
Accounts payable	45,678	101,381
Accrued expenses	39,494	-10,739
Other liabilities	8,486	3,168
Net cash provided by operating activities	102,211	81,131
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-57,038	-60,529
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-433	-2,056,937
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	295	33
Net cash used in investing activities	-57,176	-2,117,433
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	11,628	-5,796
Borrowings under credit facilities	442,600	1,527,600
Payments on credit facilities	-469,300	-508,600
Dividends paid	-8,813	-8,781
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	1,352	2,979
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	-7,572	-3,118
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	6,498	4,165
Repurchase of common stock	-1,590	-615
Other	-110	-232
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-25,307	1,007,602
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-578	-413
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	19,150	-1,029,113
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	104,671	1,112,471
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	123,821	83,358
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	11,592	13,355
Income tax payments	48,930	75,050
Non-cash transactions:
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	13,973	10,743
Changes in other comprehensive income from post retirement benefits	($178)	($184)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation:
	The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and include the accounts of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. ("Advance"), its wholly owned subsidiary, Advance Stores Company, Incorporated ("Advance Stores"), and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company, the results of its operations and cash flows have been made.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, have been condensed or omitted based upon the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") interim reporting guidance. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2014 (filed with the SEC on March 3, 2015).
	The accounting policies followed in the presentation of interim financial results are consistent with those followed on an annual basis. These policies are presented in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report.
	The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The first quarter of each of the Company's fiscal years contains 16 weeks. The Company's remaining three quarters consist of 12 weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 which contained 13 weeks due to the 53-week fiscal year in 2014. The Company's next 53-week fiscal year is 2020.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Acquisition
	On January 2, 2014, the Company acquired General Parts International, Inc. ("GPI") in an all cash transaction. GPI, formerly a privately-held company, is a leading distributor and supplier of original equipment and aftermarket replacement products for Commercial markets operating under the Carquest and Worldpac trade names. As of the acquisition date, GPI operated 1,223 Carquest stores and 103 Worldpac branches located in 45 states and Canada and serviced approximately 1,400 independently-owned Carquest stores.
	The Company acquired all of GPI's assets and liabilities as a result of the transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of GPI for a purchase price of $2,080,804 (subject to adjustment for certain closing items) consisting of $1,307,991 in cash to GPI's shareholders, the repayment of $694,301 of GPI debt and $78,512 in make-whole fees and transaction related expenses paid by the Company on GPI's behalf. The Company included the financial results of GPI in its consolidated financial statements commencing January 2, 2014.
	Segment and Related Information
	As of April 25, 2015, the Company's operations are comprised of 5,235 stores and 115 distribution branches, which operate in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands primarily under the trade names “Advance Auto Parts,” "Carquest," "Autopart International" and "Worldpac." These locations offer a broad selection of brand name, original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") and proprietary automotive replacement parts, accessories, and maintenance items primarily for domestic and imported cars and light trucks. While the mix of do-it-yourself ("DIY") and do-it-for-me ("Commercial") customers varies among the four store brands, all of the locations serve customers through similar distribution channels. The Company has begun implementation of its plan to fully integrate the Carquest company-operated stores and overall operations into Advance Auto Parts by the end of fiscal 2017 and to eventually integrate the availability of all of the Company's product offerings throughout the entire chain.
	The Company's Advance Auto Parts operations are comprised of five geographic areas which include the operations of the stores operating under the Advance Auto Parts, Carquest and Autopart International trade names. Each of the Advance Auto Parts geographic areas, in addition to Worldpac, are individually considered operating segments which are aggregated into one reportable segment. Effective in the first quarter of 2015, the Company expanded from three geographic areas, which previously comprised the Advance Auto Parts and Autopart International operations, to five geographic areas inclusive of the Carquest operations, such that Carquest is no longer a separate operating segment. Included in the Company's overall store operations are sales generated from its e-commerce platforms. The Company's e-commerce platforms, primarily consisting of its online websites and Commercial ordering platforms, are part of its integrated operating approach of serving its DIY and Commercial customers. The Company's online websites allow its DIY customers to pick up merchandise at a conveniently located store location or have their purchases shipped directly to them. The majority of the Company's online DIY sales are picked up at store locations. Through the Company's online ordering platforms, Commercial customers can conveniently place orders with a designated store location for delivery to their places of business or pick-up.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Updated, or ASU, 2015-3 "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". ASU 2015-3 simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring such costs be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within the reporting periods and requires retrospective presentation; earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In August 2014, the FASB, issued ASU 2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern." This new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. This ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter; earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In June 2014, the FASB, issued ASU 2014-12 “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period." The amendments in this ASU require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015; earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that expands disclosure requirements and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Public entities are currently required to adopt ASU 2014-09 during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim reporting periods during the year of adoption; however, the FASB issued an exposure draft on April 29, 2015 that would defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year with public entities permitted to early adopt for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of Equity", which amends the definition of a discontinued operation in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 205-20 and requires entities to provide additional disclosures about discontinued operations as well as disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued operations criteria. The new guidance changes the definition of a discontinued operation and requires discontinued operations treatment for disposals of a component or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations or financial results. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 4, 2015. The adoption of this guidance affects prospective presentation of disposals and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Inventories_net

Inventories, net	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories, net	Inventories, net:
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company used the LIFO method of accounting for approximately 89% of inventories at April 25, 2015 and 88% of inventories at January 3, 2015. Under LIFO, the Company’s cost of sales reflects the costs of the most recently purchased inventories, while the inventory carrying balance represents the costs for inventories purchased in Fiscal 2015 and prior years. As a result of utilizing LIFO, the Company recorded a decrease to cost of sales of $16,531 and $12,281 for the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively. The Company's overall costs to acquire inventory for the same or similar products have generally decreased historically as the Company has been able to leverage its continued growth, execution of merchandising strategies and realization of supply chain efficiencies.
	An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is performed by the Company at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected fiscal year-end inventory levels and costs.
	Inventory balances at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015 were as follows:
		April 25,		January 3,
		2015		2015
	Inventories at FIFO, net	$	3,965,414	$	3,814,123
	Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO	139,363		122,832
	Inventories at LIFO, net	$	4,104,777	$	3,936,955

Exit_Activities_and_Impairment

Exit Activities and Impairment	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Exit Activities and Impairment	Exit Activities and Impairment:
	Office Consolidations
	In June 2014, the Company approved plans to relocate operations from its Minneapolis, Minnesota and Campbell, California offices to other existing offices of the Company, including its offices in Newark, California, Roanoke, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina, and to close its Minneapolis and Campbell offices. The Company is also relocating various functions between its existing offices in Roanoke and Raleigh. The Company anticipates that the relocations and office closings will be substantially completed by the middle of 2015.
	In connection with these relocations and office closings, the Company plans to relocate some employees and terminate the employment of others. The Board of Directors of the Company approved this action in order to take advantage of synergies following the acquisition of GPI and to capitalize on the strength of existing locations and organizational experience. The Company estimates that it will incur restructuring costs of approximately $28,800 under these plans through the end of 2015. Substantially all of these costs are expected to be cash expenditures. This estimate includes approximately $11,200 of employee severance costs and $17,600 of relocation costs.
	Employees receiving severance/outplacement benefits will be required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the benefits. Therefore, the severance/outplacement benefits will be recognized over the related service periods. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 the Company recognized $2,007 of severance/outplacement benefits under these restructuring plans and other severance related to the acquisition of GPI. Other restructuring costs, including costs to relocate employees, will be recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 the Company recognized $1,854 of relocation costs.
	Integration of Carquest stores
	The Company also approved plans in June 2014 to begin consolidating its Carquest stores acquired on January 2, 2014. As of April 25, 2015, 110 Carquest stores had been consolidated into existing Advance Auto Parts stores and 13 Carquest stores had been converted to the Advance Auto Parts format. This includes the consolidation of 12 Carquest stores and conversion of three Carquest stores during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015. Plans are in place to consolidate or convert the remaining Carquest stores by the middle of 2017. In addition, the Company will continue to consolidate or convert the remaining stores that were acquired with B.W.P. Distributors, Inc. ("BWP") on December 31, 2012 (which also operate under the Carquest trade name), 36 of which had been consolidated and 32 had been converted as of April 25, 2015. Two of these stores were consolidated during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015. The Company estimates that the total exit costs to be incurred as a result of consolidations and conversions during Fiscal 2015 will be approximately $8,000, consisting primarily of closed store lease obligations. The company incurred $2,733 of exit costs related to the consolidation of Carquest stores during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015.
	Contract termination costs, such as those associated with leases on closed stores will be recognized at the cease-use date. Closed lease liabilities include the present value of the remaining lease obligations and management’s estimate of future costs of insurance, property tax and common area maintenance (reduced by the present value of estimated revenues from subleases and lease buyouts).
	Other Exit Activities
	In August 2014, the Company approved plans to consolidate and convert its 40 Autoparts International ("AI") stores located in Florida into Advance Auto Parts stores. As of April 25, 2015, all of the AI consolidations and conversions were completed. During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015, the Company incurred $2,700 of exit costs associated with this plan.
	Total Restructuring Liabilities
	A summary of the Company’s restructuring liabilities, which are recorded in accrued expenses (current portion) and other long-term liabilities (long-term portion) in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, are presented in the following table:
		Closed Store Lease Obligations			Severance			Relocation and Other Exit Costs			Total
	For the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015:
	Balance, January 3, 2015	$	19,270		$	5,804		$	1,816		$	26,890
	Reserves established	6,273			2,872			1,854			10,999
	Change in estimates	1,806			(865		)	—			941
	Cash payments	(3,738		)	(3,914		)	(1,813		)	(9,465		)
	Balance, April 25, 2015	$	23,611		$	3,897		$	1,857		$	29,365

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill
	The following table reflects the carrying amount of goodwill and the changes in goodwill carrying amounts.
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
		(16 weeks ended)			(53 weeks ended)
	Goodwill, beginning of period	$	995,426		$	199,835
	Acquisitions	78			798,043
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	(2,228		)	(2,452		)
	Goodwill, end of period	$	993,276		$	995,426
	During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015, the Company added $78 of goodwill associated with the acquisition of one store. During 2014, the Company acquired GPI which resulted in the addition of $797,391 of goodwill and also added $652 of goodwill associated with the acquisition of nine stores.
	Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill
	In 2014, the Company recorded an increase to intangible assets of $757,453 related to the acquisition of GPI and nine stores. The increase included customer relationships of $330,293 which will be amortized over 12 years, non-competes totaling $50,695 which will be amortized over 5 years and favorable leases of $56,465 which are amortized over the life of the respective leases at a weighted average of 4.5 years. The increase also includes indefinite-life intangibles of $320,000 from acquired brands.
	Amortization expense was $16,150 and $17,590 for sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015 are comprised of the following:
			April 25, 2015								January 3, 2015
			Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated			Net
						Amortization							Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer relationships		$	361,515		$	(49,958	)	$	311,557	$	362,483	$	(40,609	)	$	321,874
	Acquired technology		8,850			(8,682		)	168		8,850		(8,569		)	281
	Favorable leases		56,251			(15,320		)	40,931		56,342		(11,939		)	44,403
	Non-compete and other		56,804			(17,902		)	38,902		56,780		(14,596		)	42,184
			483,420			(91,862		)	391,558		484,455		(75,713		)	408,742
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Brands, trademark and tradenames		338,207			—			338,207		339,383		—			339,383
	Total intangible assets		$	821,627		$	(91,862	)	$	729,765	$	823,838	$	(75,713	)	$	748,125
	Future Amortization Expense
	The table below shows expected amortization expense for the next five years for acquired intangible assets recorded as of April 25, 2015:
	Fiscal Year		Amount
	Remainder of 2015		$	35,869
	2016		48,197
	2017		45,844
	2018		42,834
	2019		32,074
	Thereafter		186,740

Receivables_net

Receivables, net	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables, net	Receivables, net:
	Receivables consist of the following:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Trade	$	405,500		$	360,922
	Vendor	234,321			222,476
	Other	9,927			12,579
	Total receivables	649,748			595,977
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(17,822		)	(16,152		)
	Receivables, net	$	631,926		$	579,825

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt:
	Long-term debt consists of the following:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Revolving facility at variable interest rates (1.69% and 2.45% at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively, due December 5, 2018)	$	66,700		$	93,400
	Term loan at variable interest rates (1.77% and 1.72% at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due January 2, 2019	490,000			490,000
	5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $709 and $746 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due May 1, 2020	299,291			299,254
	4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $69 and $72 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due January 15, 2022	299,931			299,928
	4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $1,235 and $1,271 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due December 1, 2023	448,765			448,729
	Other	5,587			5,582
		1,610,274			1,636,893
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt	(587		)	(582		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	1,609,687		$	1,636,311
	Bank Debt
	The Company has a credit agreement (the “2013 Credit Agreement”) which provides a $700,000 unsecured term loan and a $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility with Advance Stores, as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The revolving credit facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit with a sub-limit of $300,000 and swingline loans in an amount not to exceed $50,000. The Company may request, subject to agreement by one or more lenders, that the total revolving commitment be increased by an amount not to exceed $250,000 by those respective lenders (up to a total commitment of $1,250,000) during the term of the 2013 Credit Agreement. Voluntary prepayments and voluntary reductions of the revolving balance are permitted in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, in minimum principal amounts as specified in the 2013 Credit Agreement. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement the revolving credit facility terminates in December 2018 and the term loan matures in January 2019.
	As of April 25, 2015, under the 2013 Credit Agreement, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $66,700 under the revolver and $490,000 under the term loan. As of April 25, 2015, the Company also had letters of credit outstanding of $124,334, which reduced the availability under the revolver to $808,966. The letters of credit generally have a term of one year or less and primarily serve as collateral for the Company’s self-insurance policies.
	The interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility is based, at the Company’s option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.30% and 0.30% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. A facility fee is charged on the total amount of the revolving credit facility, payable in arrears. The current facility fee rate is 0.20% per annum. Under the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the interest rate and facility fee are subject to change based on the Company’s credit rating.
	The interest rate on the term loan is based, at the Company’s option, on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin, or an alternate base rate, plus a margin. The current margin is 1.50% and 0.50% per annum for the adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings, respectively. Under the terms of the term loan, the interest rate is subject to change based on the Company’s credit rating.
	The 2013 Credit Agreement contains customary covenants restricting the ability of: (a) subsidiaries of Advance Stores to, among other things, create, incur or assume additional debt; (b) Advance Stores and its subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) incur liens, (ii) make loans and investments, (iii) guarantee obligations, and (iv) change the nature of its business conducted by itself and its subsidiaries; (c) Advance, Advance Stores and their subsidiaries to, among other things (i) engage in certain mergers, acquisitions, asset sales and liquidations, (ii) enter into certain hedging arrangements, (iii) enter into restrictive agreements limiting its ability to incur liens on any of its property or assets, pay distributions, repay loans, or guarantee indebtedness of its subsidiaries, and (iv) engage in sale-leaseback transactions; and (d) Advance, among other things, to change its holding company status. Advance and Advance Stores are required to comply with financial covenants with respect to a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated coverage ratio. The 2013 Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, including non-payment defaults, covenant defaults and cross-defaults to Advance Stores’ other material indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with its covenants with respect to the 2013 Credit Agreement as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015.
	Senior Unsecured Notes
	The Company's 4.50% senior unsecured notes were issued in December 2013 at 99.69% of the principal amount of $450,000 and are due December 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Company's 4.50% senior unsecured notes were issued in January 2012 at 99.968% of the principal amount of $300,000 and are due January 15, 2022 (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 4.50% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company’s 5.75% senior unsecured notes were issued in April 2010 at 99.587% of the principal amount of $300,000 and are due May 1, 2020 (the “2020 Notes” or collectively with the 2023 Notes and the 2022 Notes, “the Notes”). The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per year payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year. Advance served as the issuer of the Notes with certain of Advance's domestic subsidiaries currently serving as subsidiary guarantors. The terms of the Notes are governed by an indenture (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.
	The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time or from time to time, at the redemption price described in the Indenture. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Indenture for the Notes), the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. The Notes are currently fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsubordinated and unsecured basis by each of the subsidiary guarantors. The Company will be permitted to release guarantees without the consent of holders of the Notes under the circumstances described in the Indenture: (i) upon the release of the guarantee of the Company’s other debt that resulted in the affected subsidiary becoming a guarantor of this debt; (ii) upon the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of the subsidiary guarantor; or (iii) upon the Company’s exercise of its legal or covenant defeasance option.
	The Indenture contains customary provisions for events of default including for: (i) failure to pay principal or interest when due and payable; (ii) failure to comply with covenants or agreements in the Indenture or the Notes and failure to cure or obtain a waiver of such default upon notice; (iii) a default under any debt for money borrowed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that results in acceleration of the maturity of such debt, or failure to pay any such debt within any applicable grace period after final stated maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $25,000 without such debt having been discharged or acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after receipt by the Company of notice of the default by the Trustee or holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (iv) events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In the case of an event of default, the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest may be accelerated. The Indenture also contains covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur debt secured by liens and to enter into sale and lease-back transactions.
	Debt Guarantees
	The Company is a guarantor of loans made by banks to various independently-owned Carquest stores that are customers of the Company ("Independents") totaling $30,957 as of April 25, 2015. The Company has concluded that some of these guarantees meet the definition of a variable interest in a variable interest entity. However, the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the Independents and therefore is not the primary beneficiary of these stores. Upon entering into a relationship with certain Independents, the Company guaranteed the debt of those stores to aid in the procurement of business loans. These loans are collateralized by security agreements on merchandise inventory and other assets of the borrowers. The approximate value of the inventory collateralized in these agreements is $70,210 as of April 25, 2015. The Company believes that the likelihood of performance under these guarantees is remote, and any fair value attributable to these guarantees would be very minimal.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements:
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of these assets or liabilities. These levels are:
	•	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	•	Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities at the measurement date, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability or corroborated by other observable market data.
	•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities that are not able to be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of a reporting entity’s own assumptions. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
	The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015, the Company had no significant assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, bank overdrafts, accounts payable, accrued expenses and the current portion of long term debt approximate their fair values due to the relatively short term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s senior unsecured notes was determined using Level 2 inputs based on quoted market prices, and the Company believes that the carrying value of its other long-term debt and certain long-term liabilities approximate fair value. The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively, are as follows:
		April 25,		January 3,
		2015		2015
	Carrying Value	$	1,609,687	$	1,636,311
	Fair Value	$	1,689,000	$	1,728,000
	Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). During the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015, the Company had no significant fair value measurements of non-financial assets or liabilities subsequent to initial recognition.

Stock_Repurchases

Stock Repurchases	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Stock Repurchases: [Abstract]
Stock Repurchases	Stock Repurchases:
	The Company’s stock repurchase program allows it to repurchase its common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time in accordance with the requirements of the SEC. The Company's $500,000 stock repurchase program in place as of April 25, 2015 was authorized by its Board of Directors on May 14, 2012.
	During the sixteen week period ended April 25, 2015 the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program. The Company had $415,092 remaining under its stock repurchase program as of April 25, 2015.
	The Company repurchased 10 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $1,590, or an average price of $158.21 per share, in connection with the net settlement of shares issued as a result of the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units during the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per Share:
	Certain of the Company’s shares granted to Team Members in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units are considered participating securities which require the use of the two-class method for the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. For the sixteen week periods ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, earnings of $534 and $440, respectively, were allocated to the participating securities.
	Diluted earnings per share are calculated by including the effect of dilutive securities. Share-based awards to purchase approximately 7 and 19 shares of common stock that had an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the common stock during the sixteen week periods ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively, were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
	The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the sixteen week periods ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively:
		Sixteen Weeks Ended
		April 25,			April 19,
		2015			2014
	Numerator
	Net income	$	148,112		$	147,726
	Participating securities' share in earnings	(534		)	(440		)
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	147,578		$	147,286
	Denominator
	Basic weighted average common shares	73,122			72,869
	Dilutive impact of share-based awards	531			486
	Diluted weighted average common shares	73,653			73,355
	Basic earnings per common share
	Net income applicable to common stockholders	$	2.02		$	2.02
	Diluted earnings per common share
	Net income applicable to common stockholders	$	2		$	2.01

Warranty_Liabilities

Warranty Liabilities	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Warranty Liabilities	Warranty Liabilities:
	The following table presents changes in the Company’s warranty reserves:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
		(16 weeks ended)			(53 weeks ended)
	Warranty reserve, beginning of period	$	47,972		$	39,512
	Reserves acquired with GPI	—			4,490
	Additions to warranty reserves	14,840			52,306
	Reserves utilized	(14,343		)	(48,336		)
	Warranty reserve, end of period	$	48,469		$	47,972
	The Company’s warranty liabilities are included in Accrued expenses in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements:
	Certain 100% wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of Advance, including its Material Subsidiaries (as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement) serve as guarantors of Advance's senior unsecured notes ("Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The subsidiary guarantees related to Advance's senior unsecured notes are full and unconditional and joint and several, and there are no restrictions on the ability of Advance to obtain funds from its Guarantor Subsidiaries. Certain of Advance's wholly-owned subsidiaries, including all of its foreign subsidiaries, do not serve as guarantors of Advance's senior unsecured notes ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries"). The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries do not qualify as minor as defined by SEC regulations. Accordingly, the Company presents below the condensed consolidating financial information for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. Investments in subsidiaries of the Company are required to be presented under the equity method, even though all such subsidiaries meet the requirements to be consolidated under GAAP.
	Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements presenting the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of (i) Advance, (ii) the Guarantor Subsidiaries, (iii) the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, and (iv) the eliminations necessary to arrive at consolidated information for the Company. The statement of operations eliminations relate primarily to the sale of inventory from a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary to a Guarantor Subsidiary. The balance sheet eliminations relate primarily to the elimination of intercompany receivables and payables and subsidiary investment accounts.
	The following tables present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015 and condensed consolidating statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements herein.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	As of April 25, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9		$	74,102		$	49,719		$	(9	)	$	123,821
	Receivables, net	—			596,236			35,690			—			631,926
	Inventories, net	—			3,922,450			182,327			—			4,104,777
	Other current assets	2,200			73,950			2,111			(1,920		)	76,341
	Total current assets	2,209			4,666,738			269,847			(1,929		)	4,936,865
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	172			1,387,143			10,635			—			1,397,950
	Assets held for sale	—			615			—			—			615
	Goodwill	—			940,817			52,459			—			993,276
	Intangible assets, net	—			674,684			55,081			—			729,765
	Other assets, net	12,918			80,247			638			(5,579		)	88,224
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,203,853			287,084			—			(2,490,937		)	—
	Intercompany note receivable	1,047,987			—			—			(1,047,987		)	—
	Due from intercompany, net	—			—			219,554			(219,554		)	—
		$	3,267,139		$	8,037,328		$	608,214		$	(3,765,986	)	$	8,146,695
	Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	—		$	587		$	—		$	—		$	587
	Accounts payable	66			2,874,415			264,093			—			3,138,574
	Accrued expenses	2,921			512,705			22,599			(1,294		)	536,931
	Other current liabilities	—			129,156			19,865			(635		)	148,386
	Total current liabilities	2,987			3,516,863			306,557			(1,929		)	3,824,478
	Long-term debt	1,047,987			561,700			—			—			1,609,687
	Other long-term liabilities	—			556,948			14,573			(5,579		)	565,942
	Intercompany note payable	—			1,047,987			—			(1,047,987		)	—
	Due to intercompany, net	69,577			149,977			—			(219,554		)	—
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders' equity	2,146,588			2,203,853			287,084			(2,490,937		)	2,146,588
		$	3,267,139		$	8,037,328		$	608,214		$	(3,765,986	)	$	8,146,695
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	As of January 3, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9		$	65,345		$	39,326		$	(9	)	$	104,671
	Receivables, net	—			549,151			30,674			—			579,825
	Inventories, net	—			3,771,816			165,139			—			3,936,955
	Other current assets	4,102			113,003			3,383			(899		)	119,589
	Total current assets	4,111			4,499,315			238,522			(908		)	4,741,040
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	2			1,421,325			10,703			—			1,432,030
	Assets held for sale	—			615			—			—			615
	Goodwill	—			940,817			54,609			—			995,426
	Intangible assets, net	—			689,745			58,380			—			748,125
	Other assets, net	12,963			36,762			683			(5,286		)	45,122
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,057,761			280,014			—			(2,337,775		)	—
	Intercompany note receivable	1,047,911			—			—			(1,047,911		)	—
	Due from intercompany, net	—			—			211,908			(211,908		)	—
		$	3,122,748		$	7,868,593		$	574,805		$	(3,603,788	)	$	7,962,358
	Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	—		$	582		$	—		$	—		$	582
	Accounts payable	—			2,845,043			250,322			—			3,095,365
	Accrued expenses	4,884			498,505			17,284			—			520,673
	Other current liabilities	—			115,497			11,857			(908		)	126,446
	Total current liabilities	4,884			3,459,627			279,463			(908		)	3,743,066
	Long-term debt	1,047,911			588,400			—			—			1,636,311
Other long-term liabilities	—			570,027			15,328			(5,286		)	580,069
Intercompany note payable	—			1,047,911			—			(1,047,911		)	—
Due to intercompany, net	67,041			144,867			—			(211,908		)	—
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity	2,002,912			2,057,761			280,014			(2,337,775		)	2,002,912
	$	3,122,748		$	7,868,593		$	574,805		$	(3,603,788	)	$	7,962,358
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	2,955,591		$	171,385		$	(88,743	)	$	3,038,233
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	—			1,610,362			122,690			(88,743		)	1,644,309
Gross profit	—			1,345,229			48,695			—			1,393,924
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,728			1,115,813			29,123			(18,268		)	1,131,396
Operating (loss) income	(4,728		)	229,416			19,572			18,268			262,528
Other, net:
Interest expense	(16,282		)	(5,582		)	87			—			(21,777		)
Other income (expense), net	21,012			(2,181		)	(2,471		)	(18,268		)	(1,908		)
Total other, net	4,730			(7,763		)	(2,384		)	(18,268		)	(23,685		)
Income before provision for income taxes	2			221,653			17,188			—			238,843
Provision for income taxes	10			87,718			3,003			—			90,731
(Loss) Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(8		)	133,935			14,185			—			148,112
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	148,120			14,185			—			(162,305		)	—
Net income	$	148,112		$	148,120		$	14,185		$	(162,305	)	$	148,112
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2014
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	—		$	2,886,146		$	153,236		$	(69,883	)	$	2,969,499
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	—			1,575,210			111,050			(69,883		)	1,616,377
Gross profit	—			1,310,936			42,186			—			1,353,122
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,965			1,081,198			29,572			(17,415		)	1,097,320
Operating (loss) income	(3,965		)	229,738			12,614			17,415			255,802
Other, net:
Interest expense	(16,030		)	(7,454		)	(158		)	—			(23,642		)
Other income (expense), net	20,048			(3,027		)	997			(17,415		)	603
Total other, net	4,018			(10,481		)	839			(17,415		)	(23,039		)
Income before provision for income taxes	53			219,257			13,453			—			232,763
Provision for income taxes	67			82,558			2,412			—			85,037
(Loss) Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(14		)	136,699			11,041			—			147,726
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	147,740			11,041			—			(158,781		)	—
Net income	$	147,726		$	147,740		$	11,041		$	(158,781	)	$	147,726
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 25, 2015
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	148,112		$	148,120		$	14,185		$	(162,305	)	$	148,112
Other comprehensive loss:
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs	—			(178		)	—			—			(178		)
Currency translation adjustments	—			—			(7,463		)	—			(7,463		)
Equity in other comprehensive loss of subsidiaries	(7,641		)	(7,463		)	—			15,104			—
Other comprehensive loss	(7,641		)	(7,641		)	(7,463		)	15,104			(7,641		)
Comprehensive income	$	140,471		$	140,479		$	6,722		$	(147,201	)	$	140,471
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 19, 2014
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	147,726		$	147,740		$	11,041		$	(158,781	)	$	147,726
Other comprehensive loss:
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs	—			(184		)	—			—			(184		)
Currency translation adjustments	—			—			(3,240		)	—			(3,240		)
Other comprehensive loss	—			(184		)	(3,240		)	—			(3,424		)
Comprehensive income	$	147,726		$	147,556		$	7,801		$	(158,781	)	$	144,302
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	—		$	98,629		$	3,582		$	—		$	102,211
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(56,157		)	(881		)	—			(57,038		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(433		)				—			(433		)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	—			291			4			—			295
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(56,299		)	(877		)	—			(57,176		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase in bank overdrafts	—			3,362			8,266			—			11,628
Borrowings under credit facilities	—			442,600			—			—			442,600
Payments on credit facilities	—			(469,300		)	—			—			(469,300		)
Dividends paid	—			(8,813		)	—			—			(8,813		)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	—			1,352			—			—			1,352
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	—			(7,572		)	—			—			(7,572		)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—			6,498			—			—			6,498
Repurchase of common stock	—			(1,590		)	—			—			(1,590		)
Other	—			(110		)	—			—			(110		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	—			(33,573		)	8,266			—			(25,307		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(578		)	—			(578		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			8,757			10,393			—			19,150
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9			65,345			39,326			(9		)	104,671
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	9		$	74,102		$	49,719		$	(9	)	$	123,821
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the Sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2014
	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	—		$	74,815		$	6,316		$	—		$	81,131
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(59,257		)	(1,272		)	—			(60,529		)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(2,056,937		)	—			—			(2,056,937		)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	—			33			—			—			33
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(2,116,161		)	(1,272		)	—			(2,117,433		)
Cash flows from financing activities:										—
Decrease in bank overdrafts	—			(5,504		)	—			(292		)	(5,796		)
Borrowings under credit facilities	—			1,527,600			—			—			1,527,600
Payments on credit facilities	—			(508,600		)	—			—			(508,600		)
Dividends paid	—			(8,781		)	—			—			(8,781		)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	—			2,979			—			—			2,979
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	—			(3,118		)	—			—			(3,118		)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—			4,165			—			—			4,165
Repurchase of common stock	—			(615		)	—			—			(615		)
Other	—			(232		)	—			—			(232		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	—			1,007,894			—			(292		)	1,007,602
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(413		)	—			(413		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(1,033,452		)	4,631			(292		)	(1,029,113		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9			1,106,766			5,696			—			1,112,471
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	9		$	73,314		$	10,327		$	(292	)	$	83,358

Inventories_net_Tables

Inventories, net (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	Inventory balances at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015 were as follows:
		April 25,		January 3,
		2015		2015
	Inventories at FIFO, net	$	3,965,414	$	3,814,123
	Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO	139,363		122,832
	Inventories at LIFO, net	$	4,104,777	$	3,936,955

Exit_Activities_and_Impairment1

Exit Activities and Impairment (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	Total Restructuring Liabilities
	A summary of the Company’s restructuring liabilities, which are recorded in accrued expenses (current portion) and other long-term liabilities (long-term portion) in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, are presented in the following table:
		Closed Store Lease Obligations			Severance			Relocation and Other Exit Costs			Total
	For the sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015:
	Balance, January 3, 2015	$	19,270		$	5,804		$	1,816		$	26,890
	Reserves established	6,273			2,872			1,854			10,999
	Change in estimates	1,806			(865		)	—			941
	Cash payments	(3,738		)	(3,914		)	(1,813		)	(9,465		)
	Balance, April 25, 2015	$	23,611		$	3,897		$	1,857		$	29,365

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The following table reflects the carrying amount of goodwill and the changes in goodwill carrying amounts.
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
		(16 weeks ended)			(53 weeks ended)
	Goodwill, beginning of period	$	995,426		$	199,835
	Acquisitions	78			798,043
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	(2,228		)	(2,452		)
	Goodwill, end of period	$	993,276		$	995,426
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Amortization expense was $16,150 and $17,590 for sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of acquired intangible assets as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015 are comprised of the following:
			April 25, 2015								January 3, 2015
			Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated			Net
						Amortization							Amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer relationships		$	361,515		$	(49,958	)	$	311,557	$	362,483	$	(40,609	)	$	321,874
	Acquired technology		8,850			(8,682		)	168		8,850		(8,569		)	281
	Favorable leases		56,251			(15,320		)	40,931		56,342		(11,939		)	44,403
	Non-compete and other		56,804			(17,902		)	38,902		56,780		(14,596		)	42,184
			483,420			(91,862		)	391,558		484,455		(75,713		)	408,742
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Brands, trademark and tradenames		338,207			—			338,207		339,383		—			339,383
	Total intangible assets		$	821,627		$	(91,862	)	$	729,765	$	823,838	$	(75,713	)	$	748,125
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	The table below shows expected amortization expense for the next five years for acquired intangible assets recorded as of April 25, 2015:
	Fiscal Year		Amount
	Remainder of 2015		$	35,869
	2016		48,197
	2017		45,844
	2018		42,834
	2019		32,074
	Thereafter		186,740

Receivables_net_Tables

Receivables, net (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable [Table Text Block]	Receivables consist of the following:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Trade	$	405,500		$	360,922
	Vendor	234,321			222,476
	Other	9,927			12,579
	Total receivables	649,748			595,977
	Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(17,822		)	(16,152		)
	Receivables, net	$	631,926		$	579,825

Longterm_Debt_Tables

Long-term Debt (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Long-term debt consists of the following:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
	Revolving facility at variable interest rates (1.69% and 2.45% at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively, due December 5, 2018)	$	66,700		$	93,400
	Term loan at variable interest rates (1.77% and 1.72% at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due January 2, 2019	490,000			490,000
	5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $709 and $746 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due May 1, 2020	299,291			299,254
	4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $69 and $72 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due January 15, 2022	299,931			299,928
	4.50% Senior Unsecured Notes (net of unamortized discount of $1,235 and $1,271 at April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively) due December 1, 2023	448,765			448,729
	Other	5,587			5,582
		1,610,274			1,636,893
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt	(587		)	(582		)
	Long-term debt, excluding current portion	$	1,609,687		$	1,636,311
Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block]	The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time or from time to time, at the redemption price described in the Indenture. In addition, in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Indenture for the Notes), the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. The Notes are currently fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsubordinated and unsecured basis by each of the subsidiary guarantors. The Company will be permitted to release guarantees without the consent of holders of the Notes under the circumstances described in the Indenture: (i) upon the release of the guarantee of the Company’s other debt that resulted in the affected subsidiary becoming a guarantor of this debt; (ii) upon the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of the subsidiary guarantor; or (iii) upon the Company’s exercise of its legal or covenant defeasance option.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of April 25, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively, are as follows:
		April 25,		January 3,
		2015		2015
	Carrying Value	$	1,609,687	$	1,636,311
	Fair Value	$	1,689,000	$	1,728,000

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the sixteen week periods ended April 25, 2015 and April 19, 2014, respectively:
		Sixteen Weeks Ended
		April 25,			April 19,
		2015			2014
	Numerator
	Net income	$	148,112		$	147,726
	Participating securities' share in earnings	(534		)	(440		)
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	147,578		$	147,286
	Denominator
	Basic weighted average common shares	73,122			72,869
	Dilutive impact of share-based awards	531			486
	Diluted weighted average common shares	73,653			73,355
	Basic earnings per common share
	Net income applicable to common stockholders	$	2.02		$	2.02
	Diluted earnings per common share
	Net income applicable to common stockholders	$	2		$	2.01

Warranty_Liabilities_Tables

Warranty Liabilities (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	The following table presents changes in the Company’s warranty reserves:
		April 25,			January 3,
		2015			2015
		(16 weeks ended)			(53 weeks ended)
	Warranty reserve, beginning of period	$	47,972		$	39,512
	Reserves acquired with GPI	—			4,490
	Additions to warranty reserves	14,840			52,306
	Reserves utilized	(14,343		)	(48,336		)
	Warranty reserve, end of period	$	48,469		$	47,972

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	As of April 25, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9		$	74,102		$	49,719		$	(9	)	$	123,821
	Receivables, net	—			596,236			35,690			—			631,926
	Inventories, net	—			3,922,450			182,327			—			4,104,777
	Other current assets	2,200			73,950			2,111			(1,920		)	76,341
	Total current assets	2,209			4,666,738			269,847			(1,929		)	4,936,865
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	172			1,387,143			10,635			—			1,397,950
	Assets held for sale	—			615			—			—			615
	Goodwill	—			940,817			52,459			—			993,276
	Intangible assets, net	—			674,684			55,081			—			729,765
	Other assets, net	12,918			80,247			638			(5,579		)	88,224
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,203,853			287,084			—			(2,490,937		)	—
	Intercompany note receivable	1,047,987			—			—			(1,047,987		)	—
	Due from intercompany, net	—			—			219,554			(219,554		)	—
		$	3,267,139		$	8,037,328		$	608,214		$	(3,765,986	)	$	8,146,695
	Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	—		$	587		$	—		$	—		$	587
	Accounts payable	66			2,874,415			264,093			—			3,138,574
	Accrued expenses	2,921			512,705			22,599			(1,294		)	536,931
	Other current liabilities	—			129,156			19,865			(635		)	148,386
	Total current liabilities	2,987			3,516,863			306,557			(1,929		)	3,824,478
	Long-term debt	1,047,987			561,700			—			—			1,609,687
	Other long-term liabilities	—			556,948			14,573			(5,579		)	565,942
	Intercompany note payable	—			1,047,987			—			(1,047,987		)	—
	Due to intercompany, net	69,577			149,977			—			(219,554		)	—
	Commitments and contingencies
	Stockholders' equity	2,146,588			2,203,853			287,084			(2,490,937		)	2,146,588
		$	3,267,139		$	8,037,328		$	608,214		$	(3,765,986	)	$	8,146,695
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	As of January 3, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Assets
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9		$	65,345		$	39,326		$	(9	)	$	104,671
	Receivables, net	—			549,151			30,674			—			579,825
	Inventories, net	—			3,771,816			165,139			—			3,936,955
	Other current assets	4,102			113,003			3,383			(899		)	119,589
	Total current assets	4,111			4,499,315			238,522			(908		)	4,741,040
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	2			1,421,325			10,703			—			1,432,030
	Assets held for sale	—			615			—			—			615
	Goodwill	—			940,817			54,609			—			995,426
	Intangible assets, net	—			689,745			58,380			—			748,125
	Other assets, net	12,963			36,762			683			(5,286		)	45,122
	Investment in subsidiaries	2,057,761			280,014			—			(2,337,775		)	—
	Intercompany note receivable	1,047,911			—			—			(1,047,911		)	—
	Due from intercompany, net	—			—			211,908			(211,908		)	—
		$	3,122,748		$	7,868,593		$	574,805		$	(3,603,788	)	$	7,962,358
	Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	—		$	582		$	—		$	—		$	582
	Accounts payable	—			2,845,043			250,322			—			3,095,365
	Accrued expenses	4,884			498,505			17,284			—			520,673
	Other current liabilities	—			115,497			11,857			(908		)	126,446
	Total current liabilities	4,884			3,459,627			279,463			(908		)	3,743,066
	Long-term debt	1,047,911			588,400			—			—			1,636,311
	Other long-term liabilities	—			570,027			15,328			(5,286		)	580,069
	Intercompany note payable	—			1,047,911			—			(1,047,911		)	—
	Due to intercompany, net	67,041			144,867			—			(211,908		)	—
	Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity	2,002,912			2,057,761			280,014			(2,337,775		)	2,002,912
	$	3,122,748		$	7,868,593		$	574,805		$	(3,603,788	)	$	7,962,358
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	—		$	2,955,591		$	171,385		$	(88,743	)	$	3,038,233
	Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	—			1,610,362			122,690			(88,743		)	1,644,309
	Gross profit	—			1,345,229			48,695			—			1,393,924
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,728			1,115,813			29,123			(18,268		)	1,131,396
	Operating (loss) income	(4,728		)	229,416			19,572			18,268			262,528
	Other, net:
	Interest expense	(16,282		)	(5,582		)	87			—			(21,777		)
	Other income (expense), net	21,012			(2,181		)	(2,471		)	(18,268		)	(1,908		)
	Total other, net	4,730			(7,763		)	(2,384		)	(18,268		)	(23,685		)
	Income before provision for income taxes	2			221,653			17,188			—			238,843
	Provision for income taxes	10			87,718			3,003			—			90,731
	(Loss) Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(8		)	133,935			14,185			—			148,112
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	148,120			14,185			—			(162,305		)	—
	Net income	$	148,112		$	148,120		$	14,185		$	(162,305	)	$	148,112
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the Sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2014
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	—		$	2,886,146		$	153,236		$	(69,883	)	$	2,969,499
	Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	—			1,575,210			111,050			(69,883		)	1,616,377
	Gross profit	—			1,310,936			42,186			—			1,353,122
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,965			1,081,198			29,572			(17,415		)	1,097,320
	Operating (loss) income	(3,965		)	229,738			12,614			17,415			255,802
	Other, net:
	Interest expense	(16,030		)	(7,454		)	(158		)	—			(23,642		)
	Other income (expense), net	20,048			(3,027		)	997			(17,415		)	603
	Total other, net	4,018			(10,481		)	839			(17,415		)	(23,039		)
	Income before provision for income taxes	53			219,257			13,453			—			232,763
	Provision for income taxes	67			82,558			2,412			—			85,037
	(Loss) Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(14		)	136,699			11,041			—			147,726
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	147,740			11,041			—			(158,781		)	—
	Net income	$	147,726		$	147,740		$	11,041		$	(158,781	)	$	147,726
Condensed Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
	For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 25, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	148,112		$	148,120		$	14,185		$	(162,305	)	$	148,112
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs	—			(178		)	—			—			(178		)
	Currency translation adjustments	—			—			(7,463		)	—			(7,463		)
	Equity in other comprehensive loss of subsidiaries	(7,641		)	(7,463		)	—			15,104			—
	Other comprehensive loss	(7,641		)	(7,641		)	(7,463		)	15,104			(7,641		)
	Comprehensive income	$	140,471		$	140,479		$	6,722		$	(147,201	)	$	140,471
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
	For the Sixteen Weeks ended April 19, 2014
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	147,726		$	147,740		$	11,041		$	(158,781	)	$	147,726
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs	—			(184		)	—			—			(184		)
	Currency translation adjustments	—			—			(3,240		)	—			(3,240		)
	Other comprehensive loss	—			(184		)	(3,240		)	—			(3,424		)
	Comprehensive income	$	147,726		$	147,556		$	7,801		$	(158,781	)	$	144,302
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the Sixteen weeks ended April 25, 2015
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	—		$	98,629		$	3,582		$	—		$	102,211
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property and equipment	—			(56,157		)	(881		)	—			(57,038		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(433		)				—			(433		)
	Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	—			291			4			—			295
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(56,299		)	(877		)	—			(57,176		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Increase in bank overdrafts	—			3,362			8,266			—			11,628
	Borrowings under credit facilities	—			442,600			—			—			442,600
	Payments on credit facilities	—			(469,300		)	—			—			(469,300		)
	Dividends paid	—			(8,813		)	—			—			(8,813		)
	Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	—			1,352			—			—			1,352
	Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	—			(7,572		)	—			—			(7,572		)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—			6,498			—			—			6,498
	Repurchase of common stock	—			(1,590		)	—			—			(1,590		)
	Other	—			(110		)	—			—			(110		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	—			(33,573		)	8,266			—			(25,307		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(578		)	—			(578		)
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			8,757			10,393			—			19,150
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9			65,345			39,326			(9		)	104,671
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	9		$	74,102		$	49,719		$	(9	)	$	123,821
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the Sixteen weeks ended April 19, 2014
		Advance Auto Parts, Inc.			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	—		$	74,815		$	6,316		$	—		$	81,131
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property and equipment	—			(59,257		)	(1,272		)	—			(60,529		)
	Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(2,056,937		)	—			—			(2,056,937		)
	Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	—			33			—			—			33
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(2,116,161		)	(1,272		)	—			(2,117,433		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:										—
	Decrease in bank overdrafts	—			(5,504		)	—			(292		)	(5,796		)
	Borrowings under credit facilities	—			1,527,600			—			—			1,527,600
	Payments on credit facilities	—			(508,600		)	—			—			(508,600		)
	Dividends paid	—			(8,781		)	—			—			(8,781		)
	Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	—			2,979			—			—			2,979
	Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	—			(3,118		)	—			—			(3,118		)
	Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	—			4,165			—			—			4,165
	Repurchase of common stock	—			(615		)	—			—			(615		)
	Other	—			(232		)	—			—			(232		)
	Net cash provided by financing activities	—			1,007,894			—			(292		)	1,007,602
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(413		)	—			(413		)
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	—			(1,033,452		)	4,631			(292		)	(1,029,113		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9			1,106,766			5,696			—			1,112,471
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	9		$	73,314		$	10,327		$	(292	)	$	83,358

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 02, 2014	Apr. 25, 2015
Stores [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of Stores		5,235
Branches [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of Stores		115
Carquest stores acquired by AAP in acquisition [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of Stores	1,223
GPI Worldpac [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of Stores	103
GPI [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of States in which Entity Operates	45
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$2,080,804
Cash paid in acquisition	1,307,991
Repayment of GPI debt	694,301
Amount paid for make-whole fees and transaction related fees	$78,512
Carquest indepently owned locations [Member]
Organization and Description of Business [Line Items]
Number of Stores	1,400

Inventories_net_Details

Inventories, net (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	89.00%		88.00%
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	$16,531	$12,281
Inventories at FIFO, net	3,965,414		3,814,123
Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO	139,363		122,832
Inventories at LIFO, net	$4,104,777		$3,936,955

Exit_Activities_and_Impairment2

Exit Activities and Impairment (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning of period	$26,890
Reserves established	10,999
Change in estimates	941
Cash payments	-9,465
Restructuring Reserve, end of period	29,365
Office Consolidation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	28,800
Carquest consolidations completed to date [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	110
Carquest consolidations completed during the current year [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	12
Carquest conversions completed to date [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	13
Carquest conversions completed during the current year [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	3
BWP stores consolidated to date [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	36
BWP stores consolidated during the current year [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	2
BWP stores converted to date [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	32
AI stores approved to consolidate by 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores	40
Closed Store Lease Obligations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	8,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning of period	19,270
Reserves established	6,273
Change in estimates	1,806
Cash payments	-3,738
Restructuring Reserve, end of period	23,611
Closed Store Lease Obligations [Member] | Carquest consolidations completed to date [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	2,733
Closed Store Lease Obligations [Member] | AI stores approved to consolidate by 2015 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	2,700
Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning of period	5,804
Reserves established	2,872
Change in estimates	-865
Cash payments	-3,914
Restructuring Reserve, end of period	3,897
Severance [Member] | Office Consolidation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	11,200
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	2,007
Relocation and Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning of period	1,816
Reserves established	1,854
Change in estimates	0
Cash payments	-1,813
Restructuring Reserve, end of period	1,857
Relocation and Other Exit Costs [Member] | Office Consolidation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	17,600
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	$1,854

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquisitions	$78	$798,043
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	995,426	199,835
Goodwill, acquisitions	78	798,043
Goodwill, changes in foreign currency exchange rates	-2,228	-2,452
Goodwill, end of period	993,276	995,426
Remainder of 2015	35,869
2016	48,197
2017	45,844
2018	42,834
2019	32,074
Thereafter	186,740
GPI [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, acquisitions		797,391
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, acquisitions		797,391
Following GPI acquisition [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of Stores	1	9
Goodwill, acquisitions	78	652
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, acquisitions	$78	$652

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Asset_

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$483,420		$484,455
Accumulated Amortization	-91,862		-75,713
Net	391,558		408,742
Indefinite-Lived Trademarks	338,207		339,383
Intangible Assets, gross (excluding goodwill)	821,627		823,838
Additions			757,453
Amortization Expense	16,150	17,590
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	729,765		748,125
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	361,515		362,483
Accumulated Amortization	-49,958		-40,609
Net	311,557		321,874
Additions			330,293
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	12 years
Acquired Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	8,850		8,850
Accumulated Amortization	-8,682		-8,569
Net	168		281
Favorable Leases [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	56,251		56,342
Accumulated Amortization	-15,320		-11,939
Net	40,931		44,403
Additions			56,465
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	4 years 6 months
Non-Compete and Other [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	56,804		56,780
Accumulated Amortization	-17,902		-14,596
Net	38,902		42,184
Additions			50,695
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years
Brands, Trademark and Tradenames [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated Amortization	0		0
Additions			$320,000

Receivables_net_Details

Receivables, net (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$649,748	$595,977
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	-17,822	-16,152
Receivables, net	631,926	579,825
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	405,500	360,922
Accounts Receivable, Vendor [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	234,321	222,476
Accounts Receivable, Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$9,927	$12,579

Longterm_Debt_Details

Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Apr. 26, 2010	Jan. 11, 2012	Dec. 03, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$1,610,274	$1,636,893
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	-587	-582
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,609,687	1,636,311
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	124,334
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	808,966
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.20%
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure	30,957
Guarantor Obligation, Collateral Amount	70,210
Indenture provisions for events of default	The Indenture contains customary provisions for events of default including for: (i) failure to pay principal or interest when due and payable; (ii) failure to comply with covenants or agreements in the Indenture or the Notes and failure to cure or obtain a waiver of such default upon notice; (iii) a default under any debt for money borrowed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that results in acceleration of the maturity of such debt, or failure to pay any such debt within any applicable grace period after final stated maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $25,000 without such debt having been discharged or acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after receipt by the Company of notice of the default by the Trustee or holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; and (iv) events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In the case of an event of default, the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest may be accelerated. The Indenture also contains covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur debt secured by liens and to enter into sale and lease-back transactions.
5.75% senior unsecured notes (2020 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			5.75%
Debt issuance, percentage of principal			99.59%
4.50% senior unsecured notes (2022 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				4.50%
Debt issuance, percentage of principal				99.97%
4.50% senior unsecured notes (2023 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					450,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					4.50%
Debt issuance, percentage of principal					99.69%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	66,700	93,400
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	1.69%	2.45%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,000,000
Line of credit facility increase increment limit	250,000
Total line of credit commitment allowed	1,250,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.30%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.30%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | letters of credit sublimit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | swingline sublimit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	490,000	490,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	1.77%	1.72%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	700,000
Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Term Loan [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.75% senior unsecured notes (2020 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	299,291	299,254
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	709	746
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.50% senior unsecured notes (2022 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	299,931	299,928
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	69	72
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.50% senior unsecured notes (2023 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	448,765	448,729
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	1,235	1,271
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$5,587	$5,582

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$1,609,687	$1,636,311
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value	$1,689,000	$1,728,000

Stock_Repurchases_Details

Stock Repurchases (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$1,590
Stock Repurchase Plan (current year shares) [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	500,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	415,092
Net Settlement of Shares Issued as a Result of the Vesting of Restricted Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	10
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$1,590
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$158.21

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$148,112	$147,726
Participating securities' share in earnings	-534	-440
Net income applicable to common shares	$147,578	$147,286
Basic weighted average common shares	73,122	72,869
Dilutive impact of share-based awards	531	486
Diluted weighted average common shares	73,653	73,355
Basic earnings per share - Net income applicable to common stockholders	$2.02	$2.02
Diluted earnings per share - Net income applicable to common stockholders	$2	$2.01
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	7	19

Warranty_Liabilities_Details

Warranty Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Warranty reserve, beginning of period	$47,972	$39,512
Reserves acquired with GPI	0	4,490
Additions to warranty reserves	14,840	52,306
Reserves utilized	-14,343	-48,336
Warranty reserve, end of period	$48,469	$47,972

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 25, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$123,821	$104,671	$83,358	$1,112,471
Receivables, net	631,926	579,825
Inventories, net	4,104,777	3,936,955
Other current assets	76,341	119,589
Total current assets	4,936,865	4,741,040
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	1,397,950	1,432,030
Assets held for sale	615	615
Goodwill	993,276	995,426		199,835
Intangible assets, net	729,765	748,125
Other assets, net	88,224	45,122
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Due from intercompany, net	0	0
Assets, Total	8,146,695	7,962,358
Current portion of long-term debt	587	582
Accounts payable	3,138,574	3,095,365
Accrued expenses	536,931	520,673
Other current liabilities	148,386	126,446
Total current liabilities	3,824,478	3,743,066
Long-term debt	1,609,687	1,636,311
Other long-term liabilities	565,942	580,069
Intercompany note payable	0	0
Due to intercompany, net	0	0
Commitments and contingencies
Total stockholders' equity	2,146,588	2,002,912
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	8,146,695	7,962,358
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	9	9	9	9
Receivables, net	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Other current assets	2,200	4,102
Total current assets	2,209	4,111
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	172	2
Assets held for sale	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets, net	12,918	12,963
Investment in subsidiaries	2,203,853	2,057,761
Intercompany note receivable	1,047,987	1,047,911
Due from intercompany, net	0	0
Assets, Total	3,267,139	3,122,748
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	66	0
Accrued expenses	2,921	4,884
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	2,987	4,884
Long-term debt	1,047,987	1,047,911
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Intercompany note payable	0	0
Due to intercompany, net	69,577	67,041
Commitments and contingencies
Total stockholders' equity	2,146,588	2,002,912
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	3,267,139	3,122,748
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	74,102	65,345	73,314	1,106,766
Receivables, net	596,236	549,151
Inventories, net	3,922,450	3,771,816
Other current assets	73,950	113,003
Total current assets	4,666,738	4,499,315
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	1,387,143	1,421,325
Assets held for sale	615	615
Goodwill	940,817	940,817
Intangible assets, net	674,684	689,745
Other assets, net	80,247	36,762
Investment in subsidiaries	287,084	280,014
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Due from intercompany, net	0	0
Assets, Total	8,037,328	7,868,593
Current portion of long-term debt	587	582
Accounts payable	2,874,415	2,845,043
Accrued expenses	512,705	498,505
Other current liabilities	129,156	115,497
Total current liabilities	3,516,863	3,459,627
Long-term debt	561,700	588,400
Other long-term liabilities	556,948	570,027
Intercompany note payable	1,047,987	1,047,911
Due to intercompany, net	149,977	144,867
Commitments and contingencies
Total stockholders' equity	2,203,853	2,057,761
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	8,037,328	7,868,593
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	49,719	39,326	10,327	5,696
Receivables, net	35,690	30,674
Inventories, net	182,327	165,139
Other current assets	2,111	3,383
Total current assets	269,847	238,522
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	10,635	10,703
Assets held for sale	0	0
Goodwill	52,459	54,609
Intangible assets, net	55,081	58,380
Other assets, net	638	683
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Due from intercompany, net	219,554	211,908
Assets, Total	608,214	574,805
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	264,093	250,322
Accrued expenses	22,599	17,284
Other current liabilities	19,865	11,857
Total current liabilities	306,557	279,463
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	14,573	15,328
Intercompany note payable	0	0
Due to intercompany, net	0	0
Commitments and contingencies
Total stockholders' equity	287,084	280,014
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	608,214	574,805
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	-9	-9	-292	0
Receivables, net	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Other current assets	-1,920	-899
Total current assets	-1,929	-908
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	0	0
Assets held for sale	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Other assets, net	-5,579	-5,286
Investment in subsidiaries	-2,490,937	-2,337,775
Intercompany note receivable	-1,047,987	-1,047,911
Due from intercompany, net	-219,554	-211,908
Assets, Total	-3,765,986	-3,603,788
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	-1,294	0
Other current liabilities	-635	-908
Total current liabilities	-1,929	-908
Long-term debt	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	-5,579	-5,286
Intercompany note payable	-1,047,987	-1,047,911
Due to intercompany, net	-219,554	-211,908
Commitments and contingencies
Total stockholders' equity	-2,490,937	-2,337,775
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total	($3,765,986)	($3,603,788)

Condensed_Consolidated_Income_

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$3,038,233	$2,969,499
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	1,644,309	1,616,377
Gross profit	1,393,924	1,353,122
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,131,396	1,097,320
Operating income (loss)	262,528	255,802
Interest expense	-21,777	-23,642
Other income (expense), net	-1,908	603
Total other, net	-23,685	-23,039
Income before provision for income taxes	238,843	232,763
Provision for income taxes	90,731	85,037
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	148,112	147,726
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	148,112	147,726
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,728	3,965
Operating income (loss)	-4,728	-3,965
Interest expense	-16,282	-16,030
Other income (expense), net	21,012	20,048
Total other, net	4,730	4,018
Income before provision for income taxes	2	53
Provision for income taxes	10	67
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-8	-14
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	148,120	147,740
Net income	148,112	147,726
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	2,955,591	2,886,146
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	1,610,362	1,575,210
Gross profit	1,345,229	1,310,936
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,115,813	1,081,198
Operating income (loss)	229,416	229,738
Interest expense	-5,582	-7,454
Other income (expense), net	-2,181	-3,027
Total other, net	-7,763	-10,481
Income before provision for income taxes	221,653	219,257
Provision for income taxes	87,718	82,558
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	133,935	136,699
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	14,185	11,041
Net income	148,120	147,740
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	171,385	153,236
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	122,690	111,050
Gross profit	48,695	42,186
Selling, general and administrative expenses	29,123	29,572
Operating income (loss)	19,572	12,614
Interest expense	87	-158
Other income (expense), net	-2,471	997
Total other, net	-2,384	839
Income before provision for income taxes	17,188	13,453
Provision for income taxes	3,003	2,412
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	14,185	11,041
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Net income	14,185	11,041
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	-88,743	-69,883
Cost of sales, including purchasing and warehousing costs	-88,743	-69,883
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-18,268	-17,415
Operating income (loss)	18,268	17,415
Interest expense	0	0
Other income (expense), net	-18,268	-17,415
Total other, net	-18,268	-17,415
Income before provision for income taxes	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0	0
Income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-162,305	-158,781
Net income	($162,305)	($158,781)

Condensed_Consolidated_Compreh

Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Net income	$148,112	$147,726
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax	-178	-184
Currency translation adjustments	-7,463	-3,240
Equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiaries	0
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,641	-3,424
Comprehensive income	140,471	144,302
Parent Company [Member]
Net income	148,112	147,726
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiaries	-7,641
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,641	0
Comprehensive income	140,471	147,726
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net income	148,120	147,740
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax	-178	-184
Currency translation adjustments	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiaries	-7,463
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,641	-184
Comprehensive income	140,479	147,556
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net income	14,185	11,041
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	-7,463	-3,240
Equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiaries	0
Total other comprehensive loss	-7,463	-3,240
Comprehensive income	6,722	7,801
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net income	-162,305	-158,781
Changes in net unrecognized other postretirement benefit costs, net of tax	0	0
Currency translation adjustments	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiaries	15,104
Total other comprehensive loss	15,104	0
Comprehensive income	($147,201)	($158,781)

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 19, 2014
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$102,211	$81,131
Purchases of property and equipment	-57,038	-60,529
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-433	-2,056,937
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	295	33
Net cash used in investing activities	-57,176	-2,117,433
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	11,628	-5,796
Borrowings under credit facilities	442,600	1,527,600
Payments on credit facilities	-469,300	-508,600
Dividends paid	-8,813	-8,781
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	1,352	2,979
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	-7,572	-3,118
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	6,498	4,165
Repurchase of common stock	-1,590	-615
Other	-110	-232
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-25,307	1,007,602
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-578	-413
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	19,150	-1,029,113
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	104,671	1,112,471
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	123,821	83,358
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	0	0
Borrowings under credit facilities	0	0
Payments on credit facilities	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	0	0
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	9	9
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	9	9
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	98,629	74,815
Purchases of property and equipment	-56,157	-59,257
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-433	-2,056,937
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	291	33
Net cash used in investing activities	-56,299	-2,116,161
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	3,362	-5,504
Borrowings under credit facilities	442,600	1,527,600
Payments on credit facilities	-469,300	-508,600
Dividends paid	-8,813	-8,781
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	1,352	2,979
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	-7,572	-3,118
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	6,498	4,165
Repurchase of common stock	-1,590	-615
Other	-110	-232
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-33,573	1,007,894
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,757	-1,033,452
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	65,345	1,106,766
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	74,102	73,314
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,582	6,316
Purchases of property and equipment	-881	-1,272
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	4	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-877	-1,272
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	8,266	0
Borrowings under credit facilities	0	0
Payments on credit facilities	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	0	0
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	8,266	0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-578	-413
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,393	4,631
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	39,326	5,696
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	49,719	10,327
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	0	-292
Borrowings under credit facilities	0	0
Payments on credit facilities	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, primarily exercise of stock options	0	0
Tax withholdings related to the exercise of stock appreciation rights	0	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	-292
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	-292
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	-9	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	($9)	($292)