CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS (unaudited) [Abstract]
Sales	$ 238,527	$ 253,561
Cost of sales	174,012	184,743
Gross profit	64,515	68,818
Selling, general and administrative expenses	56,279	70,820
Income (loss) from operations	8,236	(2,002)
Other expense (income), net	(228)	(155)
Interest expense	3,653	3,409
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	4,811	(5,256)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	1,817	(8)
Net income (loss)	2,994	(5,248)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(139)	(136)
Net income (loss) attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc.	3,133	(5,112)
Preferred stock dividend	23	23
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	3,110	(5,135)
Net income (loss)	2,994	(5,248)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(2,320)	638
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 674	$ (4,610)
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ (0.35)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,409	14,486
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to DXP Enterprises, Inc. (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.35)
Weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding (in shares)	18,249	14,486