LEASES (Summary of Rental Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
LEASES [Abstract]
Minimum rental receipts	$ 2,735	$ 2,873	$ 2,646
Deferred rent accruals	56	47	187
Total straight line rent income	2,791	2,920	2,833
Contingent rental receipts	112	86	59
Common maintenance area income	151	148	129
Rental income	$ 3,054	$ 3,154	$ 3,021

Represents the cash payments from the tenant related to the common area maintenance.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the difference between the straight-line income and the cash payments from the tenant over the life of the lease.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Represents the straight-line income of the lease

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	psmt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of contingent rental revenue recognized for the period under lease, based on the occurrences of an event or condition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6454179&loc=d3e41551-112718

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7501430&loc=d3e39896-112707

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of lease revenue recognized for the period for which the lessee was obligated under leasing arrangements regardless of any other events or conditions. This amount excludes contingent revenue and sublease revenue.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration