CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2014	Aug. 02, 2013	Aug. 03, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 2,683,677	$ 2,644,630	$ 2,580,195
Cost of goods sold	872,758	854,684	827,484
Gross profit	1,810,919	1,789,946	1,752,711
Labor and other related expenses	966,593	962,559	951,435
Other store operating expenses	506,533	482,601	464,130
Store operating income	337,793	344,786	337,146
General and administrative expenses	129,387	143,262	146,171
Operating income	208,406	201,524	190,975
Interest expense	17,557	35,742	44,687
Income before income taxes	190,849	165,782	146,288
Provision for income taxes	58,721	48,517	43,207
Net income	$ 132,128	$ 117,265	$ 103,081
Net income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.55	$ 4.95	$ 4.47
Net income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.51	$ 4.90	$ 4.40
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	23,817,768	23,708,875	23,067,566
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	23,966,015	23,948,321	23,408,126