Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Amount of note receivable from reporting entity	$ 2,000,000
Asset impairment charge	0	(2,561,000)	0
Employee Housing Entities [Member]
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets	31,300,000
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE liabilities	62,700,000
Amount outstanding in letters of credit	53,400,000
Avon Partners II LLC [Member]
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE assets	4,500,000
Carrying amount of consolidated VIE liabilities	$ 0