Segment Reporting - Segment Results (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 04, 2013	May 05, 2012	May 04, 2013	May 05, 2012
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,205,878	$ 2,111,866	$ 6,052,116	$ 5,840,277
Gross profit	1,142,713	1,089,799	3,136,560	2,999,641
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	(686,683)	(662,549)	(1,999,682)	(1,930,806)
Interest expense, net	(42,091)	(39,743)	(124,519)	(117,760)
Income before income taxes	413,939	387,507	1,012,359	951,075
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	2,128,109	2,068,643	5,873,113	5,715,683
Gross profit	1,100,083	1,056,587	3,024,122	2,903,437
Other [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	77,769	43,223	179,003	124,594
Gross profit	$ 42,630	$ 33,212	$ 112,438	$ 96,204