Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,808,994	$ 1,688,666	$ 1,704,021
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	815,495	774,702	758,923
Selling and administrative expenses	594,293	584,823	575,442
Severance and restructuring costs	10,775	11,411	2,551
Total operating costs and expenses	1,420,563	1,370,936	1,336,916
Operating profit	388,431	317,730	367,105
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(21,322)	(18,104)	(15,035)
Interest and investment income	728	558	581
Other - net	657	678	(138)
Total other income (expense)	(19,937)	(16,868)	(14,592)
Income before income taxes	368,494	300,862	352,513
Income tax provision:
Current	100,248	87,651	102,251
Deferred	(3,597)	2,100	3,489
Income taxes	96,651	89,751	105,740
Net income	$ 271,843	$ 211,111	$ 246,773
Average common shares	57,060	60,652	63,656
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock and deferred stock-based compensation	470	499	625
Average common shares and common share equivalents	57,530	61,151	64,281
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.76	$ 3.48	$ 3.88
Diluted earnings per share	4.73	3.45	3.84
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.99	$ 0.90	$ 0.76