Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 34,088,337	$ 32,249,651	$ 30,596,486
Cash paid to employees and suppliers	(30,291,186)	(28,718,224)	(27,045,219)
Income taxes paid	(683,464)	(721,226)	(895,758)
Self-insured claims paid	(338,010)	(315,624)	(317,441)
Dividends and interest received	246,202	219,589	222,134
Other operating cash receipts	268,347	249,588	235,642
Other operating cash payments	(37,271)	(22,389)	(18,612)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,252,955	2,941,365	2,777,232
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for capital expenditures	(1,443,827)	(1,235,648)	(1,374,124)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	6,268	4,350	40,222
Payment for investments	(2,526,973)	(2,764,436)	(1,839,814)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments	2,158,434	2,149,233	1,532,007
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,806,098)	(1,846,501)	(1,641,709)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment for acquisition of common stock	(960,262)	(855,801)	(688,339)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	330,040	345,319	284,105
Dividends paid	(667,902)	(612,766)	(577,227)
Repayments of long-term debt	(49,828)	(30,164)	(57,442)
Other, net	(12,762)	3,231	9,005
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,360,714)	(1,150,181)	(1,029,898)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	86,143	(55,317)	105,625
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	352,176	407,493	301,868
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	438,319	352,176	407,493
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net earnings	2,025,688	1,965,048	1,735,308
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	624,203	581,892	513,393
(Decrease) increase in LIFO reserve	(4,643)	25,996	30,743
Retirement contributions paid or payable in common stock	365,936	369,017	338,979
Deferred income taxes	24,357	108,574	2,392
Loss on disposal and impairment of property, plant and equipment	11,035	49,596	26,155
Gain on AFS securities	(32,256)	(69,801)	(58,413)
Net amortization of investments	141,869	137,883	137,533
Change in operating assets and liabilities providing (requiring) cash:
Trade receivables	8,306	(174,610)	(8,829)
Merchandise inventories	22,764	(168,826)	(121,449)
Prepaid expenses and other noncurrent assets	(14,307)	(12,571)	(4,210)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(74,917)	114,811	268,491
Self-insurance reserves	5,340	(14,027)	8,325
Federal and state income taxes	159,426	38,920	(86,910)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(9,846)	(10,537)	(4,276)
Total adjustments	1,227,267	976,317	1,041,924
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 3,252,955	$ 2,941,365	$ 2,777,232