Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 366,853	$ 605,901
Short-term investments	447,972	336,282
Trade receivables	542,990	492,311
Merchandise inventories	1,361,709	1,359,028
Deferred tax assets	59,400	59,126
Prepaid expenses	24,316	25,354
Total current assets	2,803,240	2,878,002
Long-term investments	3,805,283	2,759,751
Other noncurrent assets	171,179	168,398
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	592,843	504,415
Buildings and improvements	2,062,833	1,918,940
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	4,540,988	4,488,139
Leasehold improvements	1,321,646	1,293,578
Construction in progress	103,006	110,909
Property, plant and equipment gross	8,621,316	8,315,981
Accumulated depreciation	(4,132,786)	(3,963,045)
Net property, plant and equipment	4,488,530	4,352,936
Assets, total	11,268,232	10,159,087
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,133,120	1,156,181
Accrued expenses:
Contribution to retirement plans	405,818	376,002
Self-insurance reserves	125,569	114,133
Salaries and wages	110,207	113,794
Other	221,713	249,633
Current portion of long-term debt	15,124	72,879
Federal and state income taxes	39,225	23,462
Total current liabilities	2,050,776	2,106,084
Deferred tax liabilities	316,802	225,695
Self-insurance reserves	219,660	221,337
Accrued postretirement benefit cost	103,595	90,935
Long-term debt	119,460	76,482
Other noncurrent liabilities	116,482	132,962
Total liabilities	2,926,775	2,853,495
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	2,137,217	2,016,696
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 779,675 shares in 2011 and 780,969 shares in 2010	779,675	780,969
Additional paid-in capital	1,354,881	1,092,008
Retained earnings	6,131,193	5,349,387
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	30,261	38,226
Common stock related to ESOP	(2,137,217)	(2,016,696)
Total stockholders' equity	6,158,793	5,243,894
Noncontrolling interests	45,447	45,002
Total equity	8,341,457	7,305,592
Commitments and contingencies
Liabilities and stockholders' equity, total	$ 11,268,232	$ 10,159,087