Segment Reporting - Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Mar. 03, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Sep. 02, 2017	Jun. 03, 2017	Mar. 04, 2017	Nov. 26, 2016	Aug. 27, 2016	May 28, 2016	Mar. 03, 2018	Mar. 04, 2017	Feb. 27, 2016
Segment Reporting
Net (loss) income from continuing operations		$ (483,673)	$ (18,182)	$ 188,360	$ (36,037)	$ (25,054)	$ 23,610	$ 6,036	$ (512)	$ (349,532)	$ 4,080	$ 102,088
Interest expense		50,603	50,308	50,857	51,000	53,391	50,303	49,703	46,668	202,768	200,065	186,132
Income tax expense		216,719	(16,061)	117,450	(12,121)	48,262	(4,682)	3,879	(3,021)	305,987	44,438	49,512
Depreciation and amortization expense										386,057	407,366	361,134
LIFO (credit) charge		(49,220)				28,987				(28,827)	(3,721)	7,892
Lease termination and impairment charges		47,675	$ 3,939	3,113	$ 4,038	$ 25,575	$ 7,199	$ 7,226	$ 5,778	58,765	45,778	40,477
Goodwill impairment		$ 261,727								261,727	0
Loss on debt retirements, net	$ 8,180									8,180		33,205
Walgreens Boots Alliance merger termination fee				$ (325,000)						(325,000)
Other										(47,949)	(42,045)	(68,827)
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations										$ 559,894	$ 740,051	$ 849,267