Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 996,283	$ 998,043	$ 2,966,568	$ 2,964,122
Segment operating earnings:
Segment operating earnings	102,228	130,338	323,463	366,833
Restructuring charges	(12,544)	(5,054)	(24,513)	(14,265)
Interest expense	(24,501)	(26,969)	(73,779)	(80,616)
Earnings before provision for income taxes	77,727	103,369	249,684	286,217
Operating segments
Segment operating earnings:
Segment operating earnings	156,951	172,207	458,387	487,875
Corporate
Segment operating earnings:
Unallocated expenses	(42,179)	(36,815)	(110,411)	(106,777)
Restructuring charges			(11,300)
Sally Beauty Supply ("SBS")
Net sales:
Total net sales	591,583	594,880	1,757,272	1,760,732
Segment operating earnings:
Restructuring charges			(11,000)
Sally Beauty Supply ("SBS") \| Operating segments
Segment operating earnings:
Segment operating earnings	94,912	104,880	271,834	294,245
Beauty Systems Group ("BSG")
Net sales:
Total net sales	404,700	403,163	1,209,296	1,203,390
Segment operating earnings:
Restructuring charges			(2,200)
Beauty Systems Group ("BSG") \| Operating segments
Segment operating earnings:
Segment operating earnings	$ 62,039	$ 67,327	$ 186,553	$ 193,630

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