Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2018

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, 2017	$	9,139	$	3,392	$	3,101	$	15,632
Acquisitions	1,010		—		—		1,010
Currency translation adjustments	—		201		174		375
February 28, 2018	$	10,149	$	3,593	$	3,275	$	17,017

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class

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

	February 28, 2018		August 31, 2017
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	4,036	$	2,510
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	618		523
Trade names and trademarks	509		504
Purchasing and payer contracts	390		391
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	5,553		3,928
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	873	$	780
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	338		355
Trade names and trademarks	182		155
Purchasing and payer contracts	64		51
Total accumulated amortization	1,457		1,341
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	4,096	$	2,587
Indefinite lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	5,919	$	5,514
Pharmacy licenses	2,205		2,055
Total indefinite lived intangible assets	$	8,124	$	7,569
Total intangible assets, net	$	12,220	$	10,156

¹  Includes purchased prescription files.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at February 28, 2018 is as follows (in millions):

	2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	504	$	440	$	388	$	362	$	325