CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 7,419,770	$ 7,077,420
Cash paid to employees and suppliers	(6,333,856)	(6,069,152)
Income taxes paid	(19,094)	(35,161)
Self-insured claims paid	(81,521)	(60,360)
Dividends and interest received	42,532	37,519
Other operating cash receipts	53,744	53,751
Other operating cash payments	(3,265)	(2,433)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,078,310	1,001,584
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for capital expenditures	(120,647)	(133,040)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,170	1,437
Payment for investments	(780,168)	(681,110)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments	220,665	155,858
Net cash used in investing activities	(678,980)	(656,855)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock	(172,701)	(141,860)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	77,346	48,479
Repayment of long-term debt	(879)	(668)
Other, net	(234)	390
Net cash used in financing activities	(96,468)	(93,659)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	302,862	251,070
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	337,400	366,853
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	640,262	617,923
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	471,253	409,411
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	124,948	121,865
Increase in LIFO reserve	10,663	14,650
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock	93,258	80,439
Deferred income taxes	(5,499)	(13,629)
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment	2,088	5,022
Gain on AFS securities	(2,659)	(238)
Net amortization of investments	31,338	25,312
Changes in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables	(101,205)	(9,982)
Merchandise inventories	54,415	(28,412)
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets	(8,254)	(21,407)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	179,738	214,512
Self-insurance reserves	1,650	7,203
Federal and state income taxes	226,006	193,158
Other noncurrent liabilities	570	3,680
Total adjustments	607,057	592,173
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 1,078,310	$ 1,001,584