Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 19,665	$ 26,641
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,117	11,513
Share-based compensation	2,511	2,372
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(874)	(412)
Deferred income taxes	2,902	4,669
Provision for doubtful accounts	10	106
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustments	1,519	1,466
Loss on asset disposals	105	60
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(1,192)	(1,834)
Merchandise inventories	(29,414)	(21,208)
Other current assets	(422)	(968)
Other assets	45	(188)
Accounts payable	11,100	3,060
Accrued expenses and other	8,755	8,859
Deferred items and other non-current liabilities	1,645	100
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	27,472	34,236
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	4,330	93
Purchases of property and equipment	(22,255)	(12,831)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(17,925)	(12,738)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on line of credit	3,552	4,767
Repayments on line of credit	(3,552)	(4,767)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,112	2,090
Proceeds from sale of common stock pursuant to Associates Stock Buying Plan	383	340
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	874	412
Treasury shares acquired	(549)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,820	2,842
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	26	(23)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	13,393	24,317
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	56,542	43,966
CASH AT END OF PERIOD	69,935	68,283
Other cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	220	452
Cash paid for income taxes	3,059	4,143
Non-cash investing activities
Property and equipment additions in accounts payable	$ 1,745	$ 357