Industry Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Net Sales:
Net Sales	$ 1,187,727	$ 1,098,572	$ 3,425,971	$ 3,210,522
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating Profit (Loss)	56,549	49,738	158,685	141,997
Retail Grocery
Net Sales:
Net Sales	1,101,650	1,019,138	3,184,077	2,992,104
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating Profit (Loss)	50,658	43,118	146,027	132,518
Industrial Thread
Net Sales:
Net Sales	86,077	79,434	241,894	218,418
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating Profit (Loss)	7,876	5,825	19,728	12,915
Corporate Elimination
Operating Profit (Loss):
Operating Profit (Loss)	$ (1,985)	$ 795	$ (7,070)	$ (3,436)