Associate Retirement Plans - Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
SpartanNash Company Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 222
Spartan Stores Medical Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service credit	(158)
Net actuarial loss	$ 59

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to prior service cost (credit) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration