Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,016,480	$ 930,373	$ 848,974
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	227,251	211,831	196,209
Amortization of debt origination fees	8,239	8,066	8,962
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(66,752)	(63,041)	(34,945)
Deferred income taxes	19,704	25,557	44,667
Share-based compensation expense	37,307	33,363	26,625
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(8,196)	(21,276)	(14,605)
Merchandise inventories	(232,846)	(167,914)	(155,421)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	356,935	197,406	342,826
Income taxes payable	61,003	56,754	34,319
Other, net	(4,114)	12,862	(6,073)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,415,011	1,223,981	1,291,538
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(414,451)	(378,054)	(321,604)
Acquisition of business	(116,084)
Purchase of marketable securities	(44,469)	(45,665)	(43,772)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	37,944	42,385	43,081
Proceeds from disposal of capital assets	9,765	6,573	3,301
Net cash used in investing activities	(527,295)	(374,761)	(318,994)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds (payments) of commercial paper	123,600	(54,200)	134,600
Net (payments) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(4,948)	(27,071)	6,901
Proceeds from issuance of debt	800,000	500,000	500,000
Repayment of debt	(500,000)		(199,300)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	97,154	75,343	55,846
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,387,315)	(1,362,869)	(1,466,802)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	66,752	63,041	34,945
Payments of capital lease obligations	(27,545)	(26,750)	(22,781)
Other	(14,720)	(10,927)	(17,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(847,022)	(843,433)	(973,771)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,596)	(300)	553
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	39,098	5,487	(674)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	103,093	97,606	98,280
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	142,191	103,093	97,606
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	174,037	161,797	155,531
Income taxes paid	498,587	443,666	405,654
Assets acquired through capital lease	$ 71,117	$ 74,726	$ 32,301