Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 26,641	$ 43,614
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,513	10,886
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	50
Share-based compensation	2,372	1,749
Tax benefit (deficiency) from equity issuance	(423)	96
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(412)	(180)
Deferred income taxes	4,669	(12,557)
Provision for doubtful accounts	106	83
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments	1,466	1,912
Loss (gain) on asset disposals	60	(29)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(1,834)	(1,016)
Merchandise inventories	(21,208)	(11,845)
Other current assets	(968)	1,697
Other assets	(188)	263
Accounts payable	3,060	(1,542)
Accrued expenses and other	9,282	429
Deferred items and other non-current liabilities	100	877
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,236	34,487
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	93	45
Purchases of property and equipment	(12,831)	(13,665)
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,738)	(13,620)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on line of credit	4,767	28,174
Repayments on line of credit	(4,767)	(28,174)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,090	692
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to Associates Stock Buying Plan	340	326
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	412	180
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,842	1,198
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(23)	20
NET INCREASE IN CASH	24,317	22,085
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	43,966	22,019
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	68,283	44,104
Other cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	452	514
Cash paid for income taxes	4,143	1,824
Non-cash investing activities
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable	$ 357	$ 305