Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Costs Restructuring and Related Costs (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($) restructuring_plan	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($) restructuring_plan	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	May. 31, 2015 store
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Plans | restructuring_plan	3		3
Restructuring Charges	$ 3,232	$ 2,019	$ 5,128	$ 2,642
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	6,240	8,371	8,136	8,994
Total restructuring charges to date	21,512		21,512
Total expected restructuring charges	21,971		21,971
All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	35	1,307	125	1,930
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	35	1,307	125	1,930
Total restructuring charges to date	7,886		7,886
Total expected restructuring charges	7,941		7,941
Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	3,197	712	5,003	712
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	6,205	7,064	8,011	7,064
Total restructuring charges to date	13,626		13,626
Total expected restructuring charges	14,030		14,030
Severance costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	3,185	911	4,346	938
Total restructuring charges to date	14,582		14,582
Total expected restructuring charges	14,646		14,646
Severance costs | All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	371	0	398
Severance costs | Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	3,185	540	4,346	540
Contract termination costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	47	135	782	388
Total restructuring charges to date	3,248		3,248
Total expected restructuring charges	3,643		3,643
Contract termination costs | All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	35	56	125	309
Contract termination costs | Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	12	79	657	79
Other restructuring costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	973	0	1,316
Total restructuring charges to date	3,682		3,682
Total expected restructuring charges	3,682		3,682
Other restructuring costs | All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	880	0	1,223
Other restructuring costs | Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	0	93	0	93
Asset Impairments and Accelerated Depreciation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	3,008	6,352	3,008	6,352
Asset Impairments and Accelerated Depreciation | All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	0	0	0	0
Asset Impairments and Accelerated Depreciation | Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	3,008	6,352	3,008	6,352
Other Exit-Related Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	3,008	6,352	3,008	6,352
Other Exit-Related Costs | All Other Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	0	0	0	0
Other Exit-Related Costs | Q2’15 Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	3,008	6,352	3,008	6,352
Segment Reconciling Items | Continuing Operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	5,291	5,394	7,216	5,987
Segment Reconciling Items | Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	2	311	(27)	341
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related costs	949	2,977	920	3,007
Total restructuring charges to date	1,552		1,552
Total expected restructuring charges	1,552		1,552
Segment Reconciling Items | Asset Impairments and Accelerated Depreciation | Discontinued Operations
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	947	2,666	947	2,666
Segment Reconciling Items | Other Exit-Related Costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other exit-related costs	$ 3,008	$ 6,352	$ 3,008	$ 6,352
Auto Parts Stores
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of Stores | store					7