Interim Financial Results (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Jun. 01, 2013	Mar. 02, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012	Jun. 02, 2012	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013	Mar. 03, 2012
Interim Financial Results (Unaudited)
Revenues	$ 6,597,459	$ 6,357,732	$ 6,278,165	$ 6,293,057	$ 6,455,245	$ 6,237,847	$ 6,230,884	$ 6,468,287	$ 25,526,413	$ 25,392,263	$ 26,121,222
Cost of goods sold	4,711,743	4,557,066	4,461,804	4,472,066	4,407,482	4,426,526	4,520,463	4,719,516	18,202,679	18,073,987	19,327,887
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,716,671	1,632,299	1,602,931	1,609,261	1,682,332	1,612,198	1,618,169	1,688,066	6,561,162	6,600,765	6,531,411
Lease termination and impairment charges	17,270	1,672	11,390	10,972	36,567	14,366	7,783	12,143	41,304	70,859	100,053
Interest expense	101,992	102,819	106,716	113,064	127,408	128,371	129,054	130,588	424,591	515,421	529,255
Loss on debt retirements, net		271	62,172		122,660			17,842	62,443	140,502	33,576
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net	412	(9,331)	(1,885)	(5,180)	2,491	(6,262)	(2,954)	(10,051)	(15,984)	(16,776)	(8,703)
Total costs and expenses	6,548,088	6,284,796	6,243,128	6,200,183	6,378,940	6,175,199	6,272,515	6,558,104	25,276,195	25,384,758	26,513,479
Income (loss) before income taxes	49,371	72,936	35,037	92,874	76,305	62,648	(41,631)	(89,817)	250,218	7,505	(392,257)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(6,006)	1,388	2,210	3,212	(46,782)	777	(2,866)	(61,729)	804	(110,600)	(23,686)
Net income (loss)	55,377	71,548	32,827	89,662	123,087	61,871	(38,765)	(28,088)	249,414	118,105	(368,571)
Basic (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.05	$ 0.03	$ 0.10	$ 0.14	$ 0.07	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ (0.43)
Diluted (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.09	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ (0.43)
Facilities impairment charges	7,877				24,012
LIFO charge (credit)	$ 44,142				$ (175,384)				$ 104,142	$ (147,882)	$ 188,722