COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2019
COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or "we") business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of August 31, 2019, the Company had 43 warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (seven each in Colombia and Costa Rica; six in Panama; five in Dominican Republic; four in Trinidad; three each in Guatemala and Honduras, two each in El Salvador and Nicaragua; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). In October 2019, the Company opened a new warehouse club in Panama City, Panama, bringing the Company’s total to 44 warehouse clubs as of the date of this filing. The Company is currently constructing and plans to open another warehouse club in San Cristobal, Guatemala, in November 2019. The Company also plans to build or is building new warehouse clubs in Liberia, Costa Rica; Bogota and Bucaramanga, Colombia; and Portmore, Jamaica. The new warehouse club in Liberia is expected to open in the summer of 2020, while the Bogota, Bucaramanga, and Portmore clubs are expected to open in the fall of 2020. Once these five new clubs are open, the Company will operate 49 warehouse clubs. PriceSmart is expanding its omni-channel capabilities, including through its e-commerce platform, by investing in and integrating technology, talent and cross-border logistics infrastructure obtained as part of the acquisition of a company in March 2018. PriceSmart expects these investments and this integration to enhance the membership shopping experience, drive efficiencies and fuel sales growth. The Company acquired by PriceSmart also operates a legacy marketplace and casillero business through the Aeropost brand in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where PriceSmart operates its warehouse clubs. Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-K for annual financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for annual financial information. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” the “Company,” or "we") business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of August 31, 2019, the Company had 43 warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (seven each in Colombia and Costa Rica; six in Panama; five in Dominican Republic; four in Trinidad; three each in Guatemala and Honduras, two each in El Salvador and Nicaragua; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). In October 2019, the Company opened a new warehouse club in Panama City, Panama, bringing the Company’s total to 44 warehouse clubs as of the date of this filing. The Company is currently constructing and plans to open another warehouse club in San Cristobal, Guatemala, in November 2019. The Company also plans to build or is building new warehouse clubs in Liberia, Costa Rica; Bogota and Bucaramanga, Colombia; and Portmore, Jamaica. The new warehouse club in Liberia is expected to open in the summer of 2020, while the Bogota, Bucaramanga, and Portmore clubs are expected to open in the fall of 2020. Once these five new clubs are open, the Company will operate 49 warehouse clubs.

PriceSmart is expanding its omni-channel capabilities, including through its e-commerce platform, by investing in and integrating technology, talent and cross-border logistics infrastructure obtained as part of the acquisition of a company in March 2018. PriceSmart expects these investments and this integration to enhance the membership shopping experience, drive efficiencies and fuel sales growth. The Company acquired by PriceSmart also operates a legacy marketplace and casillero business through the Aeropost brand in 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, many of which overlap with markets where PriceSmart operates its warehouse clubs.

Basis of Presentation – The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-K for annual financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for annual financial information. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.