Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 05, 2012	May 07, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 606,641	$ 547,505
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	145,177	133,347
Amortization of debt origination fees	5,426	6,060
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(37,263)	(22,027)
Deferred income taxes	3,413	(9,771)
Share-based compensation expense	23,872	18,482
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	6,556	(9,872)
Merchandise inventories	(169,578)	(174,138)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	102,849	277,158
Income taxes payable	92,438	111,823
Other, net	19,076	18,326
Net cash provided by operating activities	798,607	896,893
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(228,277)	(200,584)
Purchase of marketable securities	(34,132)	(34,720)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	30,306	32,087
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	5,870	2,299
Net cash used in investing activities	(226,233)	(200,918)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net payments of commercial paper	(218,600)	(11,900)
Net (payments) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(24,793)	19,690
Proceeds from issuance of debt	500,000	500,000
Repayment of debt	0	(199,300)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	50,521	42,147
Purchase of treasury stock	(882,725)	(1,033,488)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	37,263	22,027
Payments of capital lease obligations	(17,352)	(16,683)
Other, net	(10,927)	(17,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(566,613)	(694,687)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(267)	799
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,494	2,087
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	97,606	98,280
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 103,100	$ 100,367