Segment Data - Net Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020	May 01, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Aug. 02, 2019	May 03, 2019	Feb. 01, 2019	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Net sales for groups of similar products and services
Net sales	$ 840,957	$ 840,972	$ 929,398	$ 767,483	$ 734,379	$ 838,713	$ 962,036	$ 602,956	$ 3,378,810	$ 3,138,084	$ 2,618,650
Equipment
Net sales for groups of similar products and services
Net sales									2,985,295	2,747,935	2,210,047
Irrigation and lighting
Net sales for groups of similar products and services
Net sales									$ 393,515	$ 390,149	$ 408,603