Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2012	Feb. 12, 2011	Feb. 11, 2012	Feb. 12, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,804,069	$ 1,660,946	$ 3,728,411	$ 3,452,608
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	877,854	815,335	1,818,569	1,699,249
Gross profit	926,215	845,611	1,909,842	1,753,359
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	625,564	573,863	1,268,257	1,175,491
Operating profit	300,651	271,748	641,585	577,868
Interest expense, net	38,923	39,576	78,017	76,829
Income before income taxes	261,728	232,172	563,568	501,039
Income taxes	94,798	84,116	205,513	180,908
Net income	$ 166,930	$ 148,056	$ 358,055	$ 320,131
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	39,281	43,399	39,573	44,034
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	956	979	978	972
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	40,237	44,378	40,551	45,006
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.25	$ 3.41	$ 9.05	$ 7.27
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.15	$ 3.34	$ 8.83	$ 7.11