Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Net sales	$ 944,288	$ 949,275	$ 919,471	$ 940,464	$ 906,435	$ 912,101	$ 898,239	$ 905,441	$ 3,753,498	$ 3,622,216	$ 3,523,644
Cost of products sold and distribution expenses									1,893,326	1,826,953	1,780,385
Gross profit	467,540	475,711	456,396	460,526	449,358	457,083	444,454	444,368	1,860,172	1,795,263	1,743,259
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,273,513	1,202,709	1,179,206
Depreciation and amortization									79,663	72,192	64,698
Operating earnings									506,996	520,362	499,355
Interest expense									116,317	107,695	138,412
Earnings before provision for income taxes									390,679	412,667	360,943
Provision for income taxes									144,686	151,516	127,879
Net earnings	$ 61,750	$ 67,756	$ 58,492	$ 57,995	$ 64,812	$ 72,466	$ 64,889	$ 58,983	$ 245,993	$ 261,151	$ 233,064
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.43	$ 0.36	$ 0.35	$ 0.39	$ 0.43	$ 0.37	$ 0.33	$ 1.54	$ 1.52	$ 1.27
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.42	$ 0.35	$ 0.35	$ 0.38	$ 0.42	$ 0.36	$ 0.32	$ 1.51	$ 1.48	$ 1.24
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)									159,933	171,682	183,420
Diluted (in shares)									163,419	176,159	188,610