Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2012	Feb. 12, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 358,055	$ 320,131
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	96,170	88,417
Amortization of debt origination fees	3,573	3,898
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(21,793)	(15,847)
Deferred income taxes	5,956	(1,955)
Share-based compensation expense	15,045	12,119
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(3,796)	(13,903)
Merchandise inventories	(113,450)	(104,770)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	49,095	65,957
Income taxes payable	58,511	75,513
Other, net	13,848	11,549
Net cash provided by operating activities	461,214	441,109
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(132,430)	(108,357)
Purchase of marketable securities	(18,970)	(22,581)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	16,403	19,454
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	5,803	2,158
Net cash used in investing activities	(129,194)	(109,326)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from commercial paper	117,200	25,300
Net (payments) proceeds of short-term borrowings	(3,548)	12,493
Proceeds from issuance of debt		500,000
Repayment of debt		(199,300)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	33,050	33,249
Purchase of treasury stock	(482,270)	(694,050)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	21,793	15,847
Payments of capital lease obligations	(12,485)	(10,903)
Other, net		(5,450)
Net cash used in financing activities	(326,260)	(322,814)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(159)	632
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,601	9,601
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	97,606	98,280
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 103,207	$ 107,881