QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013		May 31, 2013		Feb. 28, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012		Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013		Aug. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total warehouse club and export sales	$ 611,785	$ 604,462	$ 663,931	$ 595,415	$ 575,436	[1]	$ 562,039	[1]	$ 598,178	[1]	$ 526,672	[1]	$ 505,650	$ 497,515	$ 541,078	$ 470,441	$ 2,475,593	$ 2,262,325	[1]	$ 2,014,684
Total cost of goods sold	519,931	515,930	568,075	509,728	489,304	[1]	481,634	[1]	510,711	[1]	447,779	[1]	428,810	423,346	461,800	402,025	2,113,664	1,929,428	[1]	1,715,981
Net income attributable to Pricesmart from continuing operations	21,856	21,320	28,278	21,432	20,839	[1]	18,539	[1]	24,882	[1]	20,005	[1]	17,725	15,708	20,217	13,996	92,886	84,265	[1]	67,646
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest													(19)	(2)	3	(7)	0	0		(25)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart	$ 21,856	$ 21,320	$ 28,278	$ 21,432	$ 20,839	[1]	$ 18,539	[1]	$ 24,882	[1]	$ 20,005	[1]	$ 17,706	$ 15,706	$ 20,220	$ 13,989	$ 92,886	$ 84,265	[1]	$ 67,621
Basic net income per share	$ 0.73	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 0.71	$ 0.69	[1]	$ 0.61	[1]	$ 0.82	[1]	$ 0.66	[1]	$ 0.58	$ 0.52	$ 0.67	$ 0.47	$ 3.07	$ 2.78	[1]	$ 2.24
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.73	$ 0.70	$ 0.93	$ 0.71	$ 0.69	[1]	$ 0.61	[1]	$ 0.82	[1]	$ 0.66	[1]	$ 0.58	$ 0.52	$ 0.67	$ 0.47	$ 3.07	$ 2.78	[1]	$ 2.24

[1] (1) The fiscal year 2013 and 2012 data has been updated to reflect the reclassifications as disclosed in Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation.