Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,688,666	$ 1,704,021	$ 1,542,921
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	774,702	758,923	676,777
Selling and administrative expenses	584,823	575,442	541,169
Severance and restructuring costs	11,411	2,551	1,126
Total operating costs and expenses	1,370,936	1,336,916	1,219,072
Operating profit	317,730	367,105	323,849
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(18,104)	(15,035)	(14,841)
Interest and investment income	558	581	421
Other - net	678	(138)	1,694
Total other income (expense)	(16,868)	(14,592)	(12,726)
Income before income taxes	300,862	352,513	311,123
Income tax provision:
Current	87,651	102,251	84,184
Deferred	2,100	3,489	5,122
Income taxes	89,751	105,740	89,306
Net income	$ 211,111	$ 246,773	$ 221,817
Average common shares	60,652	63,656	64,214
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock-based compensation	499	625	694
Average common shares and common share equivalents	61,151	64,281	64,908
Basic earnings per share	$ 3.48	$ 3.88	$ 3.45
Diluted earnings per share	3.45	3.84	3.42
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.90	$ 0.76	$ 0.63