Property, Plant and Equipment (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 6,354,068	$ 6,053,851
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,125,390	2,721,972
Property plant and equipment, net	3,228,678	3,331,879
Land and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	120,574	120,470
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	804,861	809,890
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	877,752	815,308
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	3,680,881	3,475,325
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	178,603	164,079
Computer hardware and software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	583,569	562,456
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	22,080	22,307
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment, gross	$ 85,748	$ 84,016