SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ANIXTER INC - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2016	Apr. 03, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,816.2	$ 1,385.1
Operating income	60.3	59.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	37.4	41.1
Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.4)	(7.4)
Net income	22.8	19.1
Comprehensive income (loss)	42.1	(21.1)
Anixter Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,816.2	1,385.1
Operating income	61.9	60.8
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	38.7	42.4
Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.4)	(7.4)
Net income	23.6	20.0
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 42.9	$ (20.2)