COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Reclassifications and Prior Period Adjusments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2007 Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Scenario, Adjustment [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Scenario, Actual [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Scenario, Actual [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Scenario, Reclass [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Scenario, Reclass [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Aug. 31, 2011 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	$ (1,445)		$ (889)		$ (312)			$ (889)	$ (312)						$ 889	$ 312
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax								(954)	(525)				(954)	(525)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	984		(954)		(525)			(1,843)	(837)				(954)	(525)			984	(954)	(525)
Value Added Tax Reclass from short term to long term assets					13,313
Net warehouse club sales	2,444,314		2,239,266		1,999,364				2,000,046			(682)		1,999,364
Other Income									8,422			(4,900)		3,522
Cost of Goods and Services Sold									1,704,131			(2,799)		1,701,332
Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense	212,476		194,140		179,618				182,401			(2,783)		179,618
Operating Income (Loss)	136,707		127,046		107,614			127,935	107,926			0	127,046	107,614
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	0	[1]	0	[1]	5,604	[1],[2]			5,600
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	85,075		75,972		57,354				3,100	(6,400)	(3,300)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (49,286)		$ (41,475)		$ (33,182)		$ (22,915)				$ 8,900

[1] 3) See Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation.

[2] (2) See Note 12 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.