CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Tax benefit from stock-based compensation [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total PriceSmart stockholders' equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Aug. 31, 2008	$ 3	$ 373,192	$ 4,563	$ (12,897)	$ (77,510)	$ (12,845)	$ 274,506	$ 480	$ 274,986
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2008	30,196					580
Purchase of treasury stock						(1,128)	(1,128)		(1,128)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)						69
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	88
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(33)
Exercise of stock options		559					559		559
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	86
Stock-based compensation		3,298	(16)				3,282		3,282
Common stock subject to put agreement		161					161		161
Purchase of treasury stock for PSC settlement						(161)	(161)		(161)
Purchase of treasury stock for PSC settlement (in shares)						7
Dividend paid to stockholders					(14,807)		(14,807)		(14,807)
Stockholder contribution									0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax				(456)			(456)		(456)
Net income					42,319		42,319	265	42,584
Translation adjustment				(3,877)			(3,877)	25	(3,852)
Comprehensive income							37,986	290	38,276
Balance at Aug. 31, 2009	3	377,210	4,547	(17,230)	(49,998)	(14,134)	300,398	770	301,168
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2009	30,337					656
Purchase of treasury stock						(1,434)	(1,434)		(1,434)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)						71
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	152
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(5)
Exercise of stock options		873					873		873
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	141
Stock-based compensation		3,778	(57)				3,721		3,721
Dividend paid to stockholders					(14,895)		(14,895)		(14,895)
Stockholder contribution		396					396		396
Acquisition of 5% noncontrolling interest		(2,914)					(2,914)	(886)	(3,800)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax				(112)			(112)		(112)
Net income					49,315		49,315	132	49,447
Translation adjustment		25		670			695	(16)	679
Comprehensive income							49,898	116	50,014
Balance at Aug. 31, 2010	3	379,368	4,490	(16,672)	(15,578)	(15,568)	336,043		336,043
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2010	30,625					727
Purchase of treasury stock						(2,711)	(2,711)		(2,711)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)						69
Issuance of restricted stock award (in shares)	71
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(6)
Exercise of stock options		144					144		144
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	6
Stock-based compensation		4,037	752				4,789		4,789
Dividend paid to stockholders					(17,934)		(17,934)		(17,934)
Stockholder contribution									0
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax				(172)			(172)		(172)
Unrealized expense on defined benefit plan, net of tax				(273)			(273)		(273)
Net income					61,750		61,750		61,750
Translation adjustment				(5,798)			(5,798)		(5,798)
Comprehensive income							55,507		55,507
Balance at Aug. 31, 2011	$ 3	$ 383,549	$ 5,242	$ (22,915)	$ 28,238	$ (18,279)	$ 375,838		$ 375,838
Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2011	30,696					796