CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 75,337	$ 121,874
Short-term restricted cash	2,328	5,984
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6 and $0 as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively	3,614	3,130
Merchandise inventories	236,471	217,413
Deferred tax assets - current	6,219	6,290
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current (includes $891 and $0 as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013 respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)	24,654	20,890
Total current assets	348,623	375,581
Long-term restricted cash	26,760	34,775
Property and equipment, net	374,335	338,478
Goodwill	36,321	36,364
Deferred tax assets - long term	12,942	12,871
Other non-current assets (includes $1,969 and $1,505 as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments.)	26,477	19,866
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	8,858	8,104
Total Assets	834,316	826,039
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	194,959	199,425
Accrued salaries and benefits	15,048	17,862
Deferred membership income	18,042	16,528
Income taxes payable	8,431	8,059
Other accrued expenses	18,115	20,136
Dividends payable	10,593	0
Long-term debt, current portion	18,887	12,757
Deferred tax liability - current	138	111
Total current liabilities	284,213	274,878
Deferred tax liability - long-term	3,107	2,622
Long-term portion of deferred rent	4,672	4,440
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion	1,978	2,184
Long-term debt, net of current portion	41,308	60,263
Other long-term liabilities (includes $0 and $14 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $645 and $589 for the defined benefit plan as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively)	645	603
Total liabilities	335,923	344,990
Equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,943,763 and 30,924,392 shares issued and 30,205,586 and 30,234,506 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively	3	3
Preferred stock $.0001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	394,020	390,581
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	9,361	8,016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(52,914)	(41,475)
Retained earnings	172,418	143,871
Less: treasury stock at cost; 738,177 shares as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively	(24,495)	(19,947)
Total equity	498,393	481,049
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 834,316	$ 826,039
Statement [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Feb. 28, 2014