Business Segments (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
United States	$ 1,153,779	$ 959,820
Net sales	1,986,820	1,775,092
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales by geographic area	352,188	410,879
Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales by geographic area	281,042	213,125
Australia/New Zealand [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales by geographic area	147,563	138,600
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales by geographic area	$ 52,248	$ 52,668