Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 23, 2013	Nov. 17, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 218,087	$ 203,452
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	55,772	50,700
Amortization of debt origination fees	1,711	1,941
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(6,244)	(23,910)
Deferred income taxes	1,978	(2,455)
Share-based compensation expense	9,252	8,131
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,241)	(12,362)
Merchandise inventories	(83,629)	(74,808)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	91,253	72,594
Income taxes payable	84,638	86,914
Other, net	(14,234)	8,056
Net cash provided by operating activities	357,343	318,253
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(82,607)	(80,430)
Purchase of marketable securities	(6,312)	(11,802)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	6,044	6,179
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	(695)	462
Net cash used in investing activities	(83,570)	(85,591)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (payments) proceeds from commercial paper	(13,500)	39,300
Net payments of short-term borrowings		(4,852)
Proceeds from issuance of debt		300,000
Repayment of debt		(300,000)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	16,210	39,226
Purchase of treasury stock	(291,538)	(317,332)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	6,244	23,910
Payments of capital lease obligations	(8,203)	(7,474)
Other, net		(8,637)
Net cash used in financing activities	(290,787)	(235,859)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	675	(32)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(16,339)	(3,229)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	142,191	103,093
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 125,852	$ 99,864