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Business (Details)	12 Months Ended
Business (Details)	Aug. 27, 2011
Business
Number of branch offices	105
Number of customer fulfillment centers	5

X

- Definition

Number Of Customer Fulfillment Center

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	msm
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the number of stores.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfStores
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration