EARNINGS PER SHARE (Schedule of the Computation of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019		May 31, 2018	May 31, 2019		May 31, 2018
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc.	$ 14,096	[1]	$ 18,694	$ 52,518	[1]	$ 55,332
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders	(189)		(244)	(414)		(642)
Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. per share available for distribution:	$ 13,907		$ 18,450	$ 52,104		$ 54,690
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	30,198		30,137	30,192		30,105
Add dilutive effect of performance stock units (two-class method)	7			10
Diluted average shares outstanding	30,205		30,137	30,202		30,105
Basic net income per share	$ 0.46		$ 0.61	$ 1.73		$ 1.82
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.46		$ 0.61	$ 1.73		$ 1.82

[1] In March 2018, the Company acquired technology, talent and cross-border logistics infrastructure that operated a marketplace and casillero business. Investments in the technology, talent and infrastructure to expand our omni-channel capabilities, together with the operating results from the marketplace and casillero business, negatively impacted Net income attributable to PriceSmart, Inc. by $2.9 million for the quarter and $11.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2019. Management considers this business to be part of its United States operations.