Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net sales	$ 882,557	$ 886,991	$ 889,281	$ 864,815	$ 837,186	$ 836,576	$ 801,805	$ 793,564	$ 3,523,644	$ 3,269,131	$ 2,916,090
Cost of products sold and distribution expenses									1,780,385	1,674,526	1,511,716
Gross profit	440,236	444,379	436,786	421,857	412,868	410,532	391,814	379,391	1,743,259	1,594,605	1,404,374
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,179,206	1,086,414	1,012,321
Depreciation and amortization									64,698	59,722	51,123
Operating earnings									499,355	448,469	340,930
Interest expense									138,412	112,530	112,982
Earnings before provision for income taxes									360,943	335,939	227,948
Provision for income taxes									127,879	122,214	84,120
Net earnings	$ 65,630	$ 69,487	$ 67,813	$ 30,134	$ 54,355	$ 69,143	$ 49,278	$ 40,949	$ 233,064	$ 213,725	$ 143,828
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 0.36	$ 0.16	$ 0.30	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 0.22	$ 1.27	$ 1.17	$ 0.79
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.35	$ 0.37	$ 0.35	$ 0.16	$ 0.29	$ 0.37	$ 0.26	$ 0.22	$ 1.24	$ 1.14	$ 0.78
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)									183,420	183,020	181,985
Diluted (in shares)									188,610	188,093	184,088