CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Net sales	$ 2,041,431	$ 1,958,690	$ 1,883,953
Cost of sales	1,316,634	1,285,596	1,247,306
Gross profit	724,797	673,094	636,647
Selling, general, and administrative expense	494,135	467,481	452,160
Operating earnings	230,662	205,613	184,487
Interest expense	(16,210)	(16,906)	(16,970)
Other income, net	12,261	7,555	7,309
Earnings before income taxes	226,713	196,262	174,826
Provision for income taxes	71,868	66,721	57,168
Net earnings	$ 154,845	$ 129,541	$ 117,658
Basic net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 2.67	$ 2.18	$ 1.88
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 2.62	$ 2.14	$ 1.85
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Basic (in shares)	57,922	59,446	62,534
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - Diluted (in shares)	59,105	60,618	63,594