CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 1,225,034	$ 1,157,792	$ 1,071,504
Cost of products sold	615,470	548,444	480,535
Gross margin	609,564	609,348	590,969
Operating expenses:
Research and development	35,048	33,552	34,528
Selling, general and administrative	452,164	427,858	392,694
Restructuring charges	15,012	26,046	6,084
Impairment charges	148,551	204,448	0
Total operating expenses	650,775	691,904	433,306
Operating (loss) income	(41,211)	(82,556)	157,663
Other income and (expense):
Investment and other income	2,402	3,523	2,082
Interest expense	(14,300)	(16,641)	(19,090)
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	(53,109)	(95,674)	140,655
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,963)	42,583	37,162
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	(48,146)	(138,257)	103,493
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	2,178	(16,278)	(121,404)
Net loss	(45,968)	(154,535)	(17,911)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	51,866	51,330	52,453
Diluted (in shares)	51,866	51,330	52,821
Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Other income and (expense):
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	(48,238)	(138,495)	103,264
Earnings per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations, per basic share	$ (0.93)	$ (2.70)	$ 1.97
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ (0.93)	$ (2.70)	$ 1.95
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share	$ 0.04	$ (0.32)	$ (2.31)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share	$ 0.04	$ (0.32)	$ (2.29)
Net loss per share, basic	$ (0.89)	$ (3.02)	$ (0.35)
Net loss per share, diluted	$ (0.89)	$ (3.02)	$ (0.34)
Dividends	$ 0.78	$ 0.76	$ 0.74
Class B voting common stock [Member]
Other income and (expense):
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	$ (49,057)	$ (139,297)	$ 102,441
Earnings per share:
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations, per basic share	$ (0.95)	$ (2.71)	$ 1.95
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations, per diluted share	$ (0.95)	$ (2.71)	$ 1.94
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share	$ 0.05	$ (0.32)	$ (2.31)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share	$ 0.05	$ (0.32)	$ (2.30)
Net loss per share, basic	$ (0.90)	$ (3.03)	$ (0.36)
Net loss per share, diluted	$ (0.90)	$ (3.03)	$ (0.36)
Dividends	$ 0.76	$ 0.74	$ 0.72