Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014		Oct. 31, 2013		Feb. 28, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	$ 5,174	[1]	$ 5,359	[1]
Investments in auction rate securities	12,994	[2]	12,994	[2]
Interest rate swap	2	[3]	4	[3]
Total carrying amounts of Financial Assets	18,170		18,357
Cash and cash equivalents	34,214	[4]	32,639	[4]		36,426	43,459
Insurance deposits	28,466	[5]	28,466	[5]
Total Financial Assets	80,850		79,462
Interest rate swap	113	[3]	154	[3]
Contingent consideration liability	1,642	[6]	1,642	[6]
Total carrying amounts of Financial Liabilities	1,755		1,796
Line of credit	367,028	[7]	314,870	[7]
Total Financial Liabilities	368,783		316,666
Investments in auction rate securities					15,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Total other select financial assets	62,680		61,105
Total Fair Value of Financial Assets	18,170		18,357
Total fair value of other select financial assets	62,680		61,105
Total Fair Value of Financial Assets	80,850		79,462
Total Fair Value of Other Financial Liabilities	1,755		1,796
Total Fair Value of Financial Liabilities	368,783		316,666
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	5,174	[1]	5,359	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	34,214	[4]	32,639	[4]
Insurance deposits	28,466	[5]	28,466	[5]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Investments in auction rate securities	12,994	[2]	12,994	[2]
Contingent consideration liability	1,642	[6]	1,642	[6]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate swap	2	[3]	4	[3]
Interest rate swap	113	[3]	154	[3]
Line of credit	$ 367,028	[7]	$ 314,870	[7]

[1] Represents investments held in a Rabbi Trust associated with our OneSource Deferred Compensation Plan, which we include in “Other assets” on the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the assets held in the funded deferred compensation plan is based on quoted market prices.

[2] For investments in auction rate securities, the fair values were based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 6, “Auction Rate Securities,” for the roll-forward of assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs and the sensitivity analysis of significant inputs.

[3] Includes derivatives designated as hedging instruments. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are estimated based on the present value of the difference between expected cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and the expected cash flows at current market interest rates using observable benchmarks for LIBOR forward rates at the end of the period. The fair value of the interest rate swap asset and liabilities were included in “Other investments and long-term receivables,” and “Retirement plans and other,” respectively, on the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. See Note 8, “Line of Credit,” for further information.

[4] Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.

[5] Represents restricted insurance deposits that are used to collateralize our self-insurance obligations and are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value. These insurance deposits relate to the OneSource Services Inc. acquisition. See Note 7, “Insurance,” for further information.

[6] Our contingent consideration liability was incurred in connection with the BEST Acquisition. The contingent consideration liability is measured at fair value and is included in “Retirement plans and other” on the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The fair value is based on a pre-defined forecasted adjusted income from operations for BEST using a probability weighted income approach and discounted using a proxy for our fixed borrowing rate. See Note 4, “Acquisitions,” for further information.

[7] Represents outstanding borrowings under our syndicated line of credit. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under our line of credit approximates the fair value. See Note 8, “Line of Credit,” for further information.