INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
INCOME TAXES
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)	35.00%
Reconciliation of effective income tax rate from continuing operations from federal statutory rate
Federal income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate	$ 4,177,000	$ (8,936,000)	$ (38,750,000)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	858,000	(2,767,000)	(4,250,000)
Tax on repatriation of foreign earnings	3,954,000	5,950,000	14,099,000
Foreign tax rate changes and differential	577,000	225,000	(1,274,000)
Change in valuation allowance	(6,977,000)	2,285,000	44,406,000
Depreciation and amortization adjustment			(8,512,000)
Other	(665,000)	4,608,000	(4,162,000)
Total current and deferred income tax expense (benefit)	1,924,000	1,365,000	1,557,000
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	16.10%	(5.30%)	(1.40%)
Period over which Canada has reduced federal and provincial tax rates	3 years
Current income tax expense (benefit):
Federal	232,000	349,000	(9,628,000)
Foreign	1,131,000	664,000	5,003,000
State	(604,000)	(1,206,000)	910,000
Total current income tax expense (benefit)	759,000	(193,000)	(3,715,000)
Deferred income tax expense:
Federal	102,000	(166,000)	5,114,000
Foreign	986,000	1,675,000	159,000
State	77,000	49,000	(1,000)
Total deferred income tax expense	1,165,000	1,558,000	5,272,000
Total current and deferred income tax expense (benefit)	1,924,000	1,365,000	1,557,000
Assets:
Accrued liabilities	78,754,000	84,515,000
Inventory reserves	7,220,000	7,083,000
Deferred income	14,033,000
Net operating loss carryforward	100,407,000	120,277,000
Stock-based compensation	7,067,000	7,160,000
Investments in subsidiaries	3,177,000	1,752,000
Foreign tax credits	13,978,000	12,609,000
Property and equipment	9,355,000	9,326,000
Other	2,854,000	5,986,000
Total deferred tax assets	236,845,000	248,708,000
Valuation allowances	(92,149,000)	(98,995,000)
Total deferred tax assets, net	144,696,000	149,713,000
Liabilities:
Merchandise inventories, principally due to LIFO reserve	(129,273,000)	(119,256,000)
Undistributed earnings		(13,973,000)
Goodwill	(13,869,000)	(13,941,000)
Other	(3,963,000)	(3,853,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(147,105,000)	(151,023,000)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(2,409,000)	(1,310,000)
Deferred tax assets and liabilities in accompanying consolidated balance sheets
Other current assets	3,495,000	4,150,000
Deferred tax asset	107,110,000	96,929,000
Deferred tax liability	(107,016,000)	(96,662,000)
Other liabilities	(5,998,000)	(5,727,000)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(2,409,000)	(1,310,000)
Most recent period for which cumulative losses incurred is to be considered	3 years
Income tax benefits related to tax refund associated with net operating loss carrybacks pursuant to WHBA			4,600,000
Income tax refunds, net of taxes paid	2,200,000	800,000	1,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate	2,500,000
A reconciliation of beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,631,000
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	555,000
Settlements with tax authorities	(341,000)
Expiration of statute of limitations	(331,000)
Balance at the end of the period	3,514,000	3,631,000
Interest and penalties accrued	$ 1,500,000	$ 1,900,000	$ 2,600,000