Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The amounts of the retrospective reclassification adjustments recorded as a result of adoption of this guidance are shown in the table below.

	For the year ended August 31, 2018									For the year ended August 31, 2017
	As Previously Reported			Accounting Change			As Presented			As Previously Reported			Accounting Change			As Presented
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold	$	31,589,887		$	1,340		$	31,591,227		$	31,142,766		$	783		$	31,143,549
Gross profit	1,093,460			(1,340		)	1,092,120			894,660			(783		)	893,877
Marketing, general and administrative expenses	674,083			3,382			677,465			612,007			(931		)	611,076
Operating earnings (loss)	457,086			(4,722		)	452,364			(174,026		)	148			(173,878		)
Other (income) loss	(78,015		)	(4,722		)	(82,737		)	(99,951		)	148			(99,803		)

Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheets that aggregates to the amount presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. During the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we updated the presentation of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to include restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

	For the year ended August 31,
	2019		2018		2017
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	211,179	$	450,617	$	181,379
Restricted cash included in other current assets	88,496		90,193		83,561
Restricted cash included in other assets	—		3,130		7,333
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	299,675	$	543,940	$	272,273