Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions):

	Retail Pharmacy USA		Retail Pharmacy International			Pharmaceutical Wholesale			Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2016	$	9,036	$	3,369		$	3,122		$	15,527
Acquisitions	87		—			—			87
Currency translation adjustments	—		(36		)	(62		)	(98		)
May 31, 2017	$	9,123	$	3,333		$	3,060		$	15,516

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions):

	May 31, 2017		August 31, 2016
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders	$	1,830	$	1,867
Purchased prescription files	669		932
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	536		619
Trade names and trademarks	502		532
Purchasing and payer contracts	390		94
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	3,927		4,044
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders	$	371	$	275
Purchased prescription files	376		600
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	355		388
Trade names and trademarks	135		105
Purchasing and payer contracts	44		71
Total accumulated amortization	1,281		1,439
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	2,646	$	2,605
Indefinite lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	5,507	$	5,604
Pharmacy licenses	2,055		2,093
Total indefinite lived intangible assets	$	7,562	$	7,697
Total intangible assets, net	$	10,208	$	10,302

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets recorded at May 31, 2017 is as follows (in millions):

	2018		2019		2020		2021		2022
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	361	$	333	$	273	$	205	$	185