Segment Reporting - Segment Results (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Nov. 23, 2013	Nov. 17, 2012
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,093,578	$ 1,991,040
Gross profit	1,085,697	1,031,866
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	(701,971)	(668,590)
Interest expense, net	(42,431)	(41,104)
Income before income taxes	341,295	322,172
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	2,019,570	1,948,724
Gross profit	1,044,016	999,335
Other [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	74,008	42,316
Gross profit	$ 41,681	$ 32,531

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Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

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Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i))

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The net amount of operating interest income (expense).

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

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