Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 906,435	$ 912,101	$ 898,239	$ 905,441	$ 882,557	$ 886,991	$ 889,281	$ 864,815	$ 3,622,216	$ 3,523,644	$ 3,269,131
Cost of products sold and distribution expenses									1,826,953	1,780,385	1,674,526
Gross profit	449,358	457,083	444,454	444,368	440,236	444,379	436,786	421,857	1,795,263	1,743,259	1,594,605
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,202,709	1,179,206	1,086,414
Depreciation and amortization									72,192	64,698	59,722
Operating earnings									520,362	499,355	448,469
Interest expense									107,695	138,412	112,530
Earnings before provision for income taxes									412,667	360,943	335,939
Provision for income taxes									151,516	127,879	122,214
Net earnings	$ 64,812	$ 72,466	$ 64,889	$ 58,983	$ 65,630	$ 69,487	$ 67,813	$ 30,134	$ 261,151	$ 233,064	$ 213,725
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.43	$ 0.37	$ 0.33	$ 0.36	$ 0.38	$ 0.36	$ 0.16	$ 1.52	$ 1.27	$ 1.17
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.42	$ 0.36	$ 0.32	$ 0.35	$ 0.37	$ 0.35	$ 0.16	$ 1.48	$ 1.24	$ 1.14
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)									171,682	183,420	183,020
Diluted (in shares)									176,159	188,610	188,093