CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 77,226	$ 121,874
Short-term restricted cash	3,100	5,984
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7 and $0 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively	3,481	3,130
Merchandise inventories	298,721	217,413
Deferred tax assets - current	7,126	6,290
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current	30,717	20,890
Total current assets	420,371	375,581
Long-term restricted cash	26,759	34,775
Property and equipment, net	351,210	338,478
Goodwill	36,289	36,364
Deferred tax assets - long term	12,038	12,871
Other non-current assets (includes $1,324 and $1,505 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments.)	25,787	19,866
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	8,108	8,104
Total Assets	880,562	826,039
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	13,000	0
Accounts payable	230,890	199,425
Accrued salaries and benefits	16,171	17,862
Deferred membership income	17,231	16,528
Income taxes payable	7,455	8,059
Other accrued expenses	17,646	20,136
Dividends payable	0
Long-term debt, current portion	16,375	12,757
Deferred tax liability - current	128	111
Total current liabilities	318,896	274,878
Deferred tax liability - long-term	2,603	2,622
Long-term portion of deferred rent	4,452	4,440
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion	2,014	2,184
Long-term debt, net of current portion	46,907	60,263
Other long-term liabilities (includes $9 and $14 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $621 and $589 for the defined benefit plan as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively)	630	603
Total liabilities	375,502	344,990
Equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,923,393 and 30,924,392 shares issued and 30,233,507 and 30,234,506 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively	3	3
Additional paid-in capital	392,011	390,581
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	8,016	8,016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(40,326)	(41,475)
Retained earnings	165,303	143,871
Less: treasury stock at cost; 689,886 shares as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively	(19,947)	(19,947)
Total equity	505,060	481,049
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 880,562	$ 826,039
Statement [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2013