Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 337,400	$ 366,853
Short-term investments	797,260	447,972
Trade receivables	519,137	542,990
Merchandise inventories	1,409,367	1,361,709
Deferred tax assets	57,834	59,400
Prepaid expenses	28,124	24,316
Total current assets	3,149,122	2,803,240
Long-term investments	4,235,846	3,805,283
Other noncurrent assets	202,636	171,179
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	688,812	592,843
Buildings and improvements	2,249,176	2,062,833
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	4,587,883	4,540,988
Leasehold improvements	1,385,823	1,321,646
Construction in progress	67,775	103,006
Property, plant and equipment	8,979,469	8,621,316
Accumulated depreciation	(4,288,753)	(4,132,786)
Net property, plant and equipment	4,690,716	4,488,530
Assets, Total	12,278,320	11,268,232
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,306,996	1,133,120
Accrued expenses:
Contribution to retirement plans	430,395	405,818
Self-insurance reserves	138,998	125,569
Salaries and wages	109,091	110,207
Other	230,486	221,713
Current portion of long-term debt	5,018	15,124
Federal and state income taxes		39,225
Total current liabilities	2,220,984	2,050,776
Deferred tax liabilities	327,294	316,802
Self-insurance reserves	212,728	219,660
Accrued postretirement benefit cost	116,721	103,595
Long-term debt	153,454	119,460
Other noncurrent liabilities	118,321	116,482
Total liabilities	3,149,502	2,926,775
Common stock related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)	2,272,963	2,137,217
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 776,094 shares in 2012 and 779,675 shares in 2011	776,094	779,675
Additional paid-in capital	1,627,258	1,354,881
Retained earnings	6,640,538	6,131,193
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	38,289	30,261
Common stock related to ESOP	(2,272,963)	(2,137,217)
Total stockholders' equity	6,809,216	6,158,793
Noncontrolling interests	46,639	45,447
Total equity	9,128,818	8,341,457
Commitments and contingencies
Liabilities and stockholders' equity, total	$ 12,278,320	$ 11,268,232