STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014		Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012		Aug. 31, 2011
Other Comprehensive Income or Loss:
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	$ (50,410,000)		$ (42,321,000)		$ (31,962,000)		$ (21,894,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	113,000		(152,000)		(74,000)		(273,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	1,011,000		998,000		(1,146,000)		(748,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(49,286,000)		(41,475,000)		(33,182,000)		(22,915,000)
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations	(8,089,000)	[1]	(10,359,000)	[1]	(1,187,000)	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	260,000		(68,000)		185,000
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	101,000	[2],[3]	2,144,000	[2],[3]	(398,000)	[2],[3]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(7,728,000)		(8,283,000)		(1,400,000)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	5,000	[4]	(10,000)	[4]	14,000	[4]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(88,000)	[2],[3],[5]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment From AOCI, net of Tax	(83,000)		(10,000)		14,000
Foreign currency translation differences for merger of foreign operations	0	[6]	0	[6]	(5,604,000)	[2],[6]
Correction of foreign currency translations for prior years related to foreign operations affecting Property and equipment, net (3)	0	[6]	0	[6]	(3,277,000)	[2],[6]
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income or Loss:
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax					8,900,000
Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations					$ (8,881,000)	[7]

[1] (1) Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

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

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

[4] (3) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

[5] (4) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for settlement of derivative instruments are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

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

[7] (1) Includes $5.6 million to record foreign currency translation differences for a 2012 merger of a real estate subsidiary with an operating subsidiary and $3.3 million to correct foreign currency translations for prior years related to a 2007 merger of a real estate subsidiary with an operating subsidiary and other matters. See Note 1- Company Overview and Basis of Presentation for details