EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 17,725	$ 15,708	$ 20,217	$ 13,996	$ 12,615	$ 16,365	$ 18,010	$ 14,846	$ 67,646	$ 61,836	$ 49,299
Less: Earnings and dividends allocated to unvested stockholders									(1,337)	(952)	(870)
Dividend distribution to common stockholders									(17,745)	(17,697)	(14,664)
Basic undistributed net earnings available to common stockholders from continuing operations									48,564	43,187	33,765
Add: Net undistributed earnings allocated and reallocated to unvested stockholders (two-class method) and dividend distribution									17,745	17,697	14,664
Net earnings available to common stockholders from continuing operations									66,309	60,884	48,429
Net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders from discontinued operations									(25)	(86)	16
Basic weighted average shares outstanding									29,554	29,441	29,254
Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)									12	9	25
Diluted average shares outstanding									29,566	29,450	29,279
Basic income per share from continuing operations									$ 2.24	$ 2.07	$ 1.66
Diluted income per share from continuing operations									$ 2.24	$ 2.07	$ 1.65
Basic income (loss) per share from discontinued operations									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted income (loss) per share from discontinued operations									$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to PriceSmart:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(19)	(2)	3	(7)	75	(75)	(93)	7	(25)	(86)	16
Net income attributable to PriceSmart	$ 17,706	$ 15,706	$ 20,220	$ 13,989	$ 12,690	$ 16,290	$ 17,917	$ 14,853	$ 67,621	$ 61,750	$ 49,315