Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 segment	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Information
Number of business segments			4
Segment Information
Net sales	$ 799,479	$ 763,338	$ 2,308,547	$ 2,212,043
Income (loss) from operations	94,233	118,058	271,242	143,726
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	26,163	25,759	78,482	76,572
Capital expenditures	19,900	6,718	41,575	35,481
Fair value adjustment to inventory				122,104
Merger expenses related to Acquisition		614		44,479
Impairments of Julian Graves assets	20,106		20,106
Julian Graves
Segment Information
Impairments of Julian Graves assets			20,106
Wholesale [Member]
Segment Information
Net sales	480,137	458,460	1,373,560	1,319,527
Income (loss) from operations	74,043	86,589	180,355	223,213
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	9,911	10,251	29,726	28,888
Capital expenditures	131	81	632	422
European Retail
Segment Information
Net sales	182,876	179,970	548,870	530,526
Income (loss) from operations	19,297	31,185	92,269	88,797
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	4,051	4,039	12,027	11,906
Capital expenditures	6,955	3,058	16,228	15,044
Impairments of Julian Graves assets	20,106		20,106
European Retail | Ireland
Segment Information
Number of stores	42		42
European Retail | Holland & Barrett
Segment Information
Number of stores	676		676
European Retail | Holland & Barrett | Singapore
Segment Information
Number of franchised stores	10		10
European Retail | Holland & Barrett | Cyprus
Segment Information
Number of franchised stores	6		6
European Retail | Holland & Barrett | Malta
Segment Information
Number of franchised stores	3		3
European Retail | Holland & Barrett | Hungary
Segment Information
Number of franchised stores	1		1
European Retail | Holland & Barrett | United Arab Emirates
Segment Information
Number of franchised stores	3		3
European Retail | Julian Graves | U.K.
Segment Information
Number of stores	189		189
European Retail | GNC (UK) stores | U.K.
Segment Information
Number of stores	51		51
European Retail | De Tuinen | Netherlands
Segment Information
Number of stores	106		106
Number of franchised stores	10		10
Direct Response/E-Commerce
Segment Information
Net sales	76,198	67,853	207,976	193,576
Income (loss) from operations	16,339	16,880	43,291	45,936
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	2,674	2,661	8,024	7,987
Capital expenditures	81		81	27
North American Retail
Segment Information
Net sales	60,268	57,055	178,141	168,414
Income (loss) from operations	6,092	4,910	14,576	8,823
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	816	823	2,745	2,481
Capital expenditures	215	114	503	895
North American Retail | Canadian
Segment Information
Number of stores	80		80
North American Retail | Vitamin World
Segment Information
Number of stores	430		430
Corporate/Manufacturing
Segment Information
Income (loss) from operations	(21,538)	(21,506)	(59,249)	(223,043)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	8,711	7,985	25,960	25,310
Capital expenditures	12,518	3,465	24,131	19,093
Fair value adjustment to inventory				122,104
Merger expenses related to Acquisition		$ 614		$ 44,479