Quarterly Summary (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 05, 2012	Feb. 11, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011	May 07, 2011	Feb. 12, 2011	Nov. 20, 2010	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Net sales	$ 2,111,866	$ 1,804,069	$ 1,924,341	$ 1,978,369	$ 1,660,946	$ 1,791,662	$ 2,763,585	$ 2,641,996	$ 8,603,863	$ 8,072,973	$ 7,362,618
Gross profit	1,089,799	926,215	983,627	1,013,530	845,611	907,748	1,432,394	1,352,574	4,432,036	4,119,463	3,711,744
Operating profit	427,250	300,651	340,934	392,925	271,748	306,121	560,056	524,010	1,628,891	1,494,803	1,319,414
Income before income taxes	387,507	261,728	301,840	353,009	232,172	268,868	501,911	470,197	1,452,986	1,324,246	1,160,505
Net income	$ 248,586	$ 166,930	$ 191,125	$ 227,373	$ 148,056	$ 172,076	$ 323,733	$ 301,469	$ 930,373	$ 848,974	$ 738,311
Basic earnings per share	$ 6.43	$ 4.25	$ 4.79	$ 5.42	$ 3.41	$ 3.85	$ 8.65	$ 7.35	$ 24.04	$ 19.91	$ 15.23
Diluted earnings per share	$ 6.28	$ 4.15	$ 4.68	$ 5.29	$ 3.34	$ 3.77	$ 8.46	$ 7.18	$ 23.48	$ 19.47	$ 14.97