SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF ANIXTER INC - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,490.9	$ 1,522.7
Operating income	81.0	86.7
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	65.5	71.5
Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.1)	(0.3)
Net income	42.5	55.3
Comprehensive income	34.3	74.8
Anixter Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,490.9	1,522.7
Operating income	82.4	88.0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	69.2	77.8
Net loss from discontinued operations	(0.1)	(0.3)
Net income	44.9	59.2
Comprehensive income	$ 36.7	$ 78.7