Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2019

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.
Balance at August 31, 2018	$	10,483	$	3,370		$	3,061		$	16,914
Acquisitions	8		—			—			8
Disposals	—		(8		)	—			(8		)
Currency translation adjustments	—		(104		)	(93		)	(197		)
Balance at May 31, 2019	$	10,491	$	3,258		$	2,968		$	16,717

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, 2019		August 31, 2018
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders	$	4,329	$	4,235
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	661		680
Trade names and trademarks	545		489
Purchasing and payer contracts	382		390
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	5,917		5,794
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders	$	1,194	$	997
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements	396		359
Trade names and trademarks	247		206
Purchasing and payer contracts	93		78
Total accumulated amortization	1,930		1,640
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	3,987	$	4,154
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	5,326	$	5,557
Pharmacy licenses	2,012		2,072
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	7,338	$	7,629
Total intangible assets, net	$	11,325	$	11,783

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 May 31, 2019 is as follows (in millions):

	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	481	$	432	$	412	$	377	$	356