CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	$ 91,248	$ 76,817
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	1,241	1,240
Receivables, Net, Current	6,231	3,655
Merchandise inventories	201,043	177,232
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current	5,619	4,252
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31,232	29,117
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0	464
Total current assets	336,614	292,777
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	36,505	22,626
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	297,845	281,111
Goodwill	36,886	37,361
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	14,835	17,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent	5,468	5,390
Equity Method Investments	7,559	8,063
Total Assets	735,712	664,328
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Short-term Debt	0	2,259
Accounts payable	173,198	163,432
Employee-related Liabilities, Current	14,729	11,681
Deferred Revenue, Current	13,747	11,416
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	8,578	7,655
Accrued Liabilities, Current	17,130	12,556
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	7,237	7,771
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current	122	533
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0	40
Total current liabilities	234,741	217,343
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	2,191	1,888
Deferred Rent Credit, Noncurrent	4,336	4,143
Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent	2,512	3,310
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	71,422	60,451
Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	1,596	1,355
Total liabilities	316,798	288,490
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	3	3
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock	384,154	383,549
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	6,680	5,242
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(33,182)	(22,915)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	77,739	28,238
Less: treasury stock at cost; 795,903 and 726,757 shares as of August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010, respectively.	(16,480)	(18,279)
Total equity	418,914	375,838
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 735,712	$ 664,328