Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 06, 2012	May 08, 2011	May 06, 2012	May 08, 2011	Aug. 28, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 22,324	$ 20,623	$ 66,919	$ 60,737	$ 88,915
Operating income	623	556	1,810	1,677	2,439
Depreciation and amortization	202	196	616	582	855
Additions to property and equipment	268	278	900	818	1,290
Property and equipment, net	12,596	12,300	12,596	12,300	12,432
Total assets	27,836	26,974	27,836	26,974	26,761
United States Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	16,203	15,172	48,428	44,424	64,904
Operating income	356	310	1,046	934	1,395
Depreciation and amortization	150	145	460	435	640
Additions to property and equipment	196	192	628	613	876
Property and equipment, net	9,012	8,812	9,012	8,812	8,870
Total assets	19,121	19,157	19,121	19,157	18,558
Canadian Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	3,474	3,169	10,477	9,426	14,020
Operating income	157	143	436	419	621
Depreciation and amortization	25	28	79	80	117
Additions to property and equipment	23	24	110	86	144
Property and equipment, net	1,631	1,635	1,631	1,635	1,608
Total assets	4,065	3,712	4,065	3,712	3,741
Other International Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	2,647	2,282	8,014	6,887	9,991
Operating income	110	103	328	324	423
Depreciation and amortization	27	23	77	67	98
Additions to property and equipment	49	62	162	119	270
Property and equipment, net	1,953	1,853	1,953	1,853	1,954
Total assets	$ 4,650	$ 4,105	$ 4,650	$ 4,105	$ 4,462