Segment Information - Information Related to Company's Operating Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012
Revenues, net:
Revenues, net	$ 458,748	$ 492,213	$ 889,766	$ 941,834
Gross profit:
Gross profit	211,136	242,149	430,843	470,099
SG&A expense:
SG&A expense	218,204	224,010	443,463	454,425
Asset impairments:
Asset impairments	5,332	415	8,500	415
Operating income/ (loss):
Operating (loss)/income	(12,400)	17,724	(21,120)	15,259
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	1,683,237		1,683,237		1,718,240
Americas [Member]
Revenues, net:
Revenues, net	228,703	220,975	414,987	426,383
Gross profit:
Gross profit	92,696	97,709	173,555	185,637
SG&A expense:
SG&A expense	84,999	88,407	173,073	177,888
Asset impairments:
Asset impairments	5,322	415	6,943	415
Operating income/ (loss):
Operating (loss)/income	2,375	8,887	(6,461)	7,334
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	547,692		547,692		576,179
EMEA [Member]
Revenues, net:
Revenues, net	165,189	195,554	336,364	364,428
Gross profit:
Gross profit	87,961	108,997	186,850	210,769
SG&A expense:
SG&A expense	80,976	83,202	164,210	169,298
Asset impairments:
Asset impairments	10		1,557
Operating income/ (loss):
Operating (loss)/income	6,975	25,795	21,083	41,471
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	723,415		723,415		718,537
APAC [Member]
Revenues, net:
Revenues, net	63,900	74,026	136,776	148,619
Gross profit:
Gross profit	31,634	35,963	70,911	74,103
SG&A expense:
SG&A expense	37,756	40,002	74,962	77,241
Operating income/ (loss):
Operating (loss)/income	(6,122)	(4,039)	(4,051)	(3,138)
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	211,643		211,643		224,149
Corporate operations [Member]
Revenues, net:
Revenues, net	956	1,658	1,639	2,404
Gross profit:
Gross profit	(1,155)	(520)	(473)	(410)
SG&A expense:
SG&A expense	14,473	12,399	31,218	29,998
Operating income/ (loss):
Operating (loss)/income	(15,628)	(12,919)	(31,691)	(30,408)
Identifiable assets:
Identifiable assets	$ 200,487		$ 200,487		$ 199,375