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Summary of major accounting policies - narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 06, 2021
USD ($)
shares
Aug. 31, 2021
USD ($)
segment
Aug. 31, 2021
USD ($)
shares
Aug. 31, 2020
USD ($)
shares
Aug. 31, 2019
USD ($)
shares
Jun. 01, 2021
USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Number of reportable segments | segment   2        
Minimum number of days for settlement of credit and debit charges     1 day      
Maximum number of days for settlement of credit and debit charges     7 days      
Credit and debit card receivables   $ 146 $ 146 $ 101    
Other cash flows from operating activities     (64) 464 $ 302  
Asset impairment charges     203 462 328  
Gains on sale-leaseback transactions     367 308    
Allowance for doubtful accounts   53 53 26    
Inventories   $ 8,159 8,159 7,917    
Depreciation and amortization expense     $ 1,400 1,400 1,400  
Term of renewal contract   5 years 5 years      
Redeemable noncontrolling interest   $ 319 $ 319      
Advertising expense     772 532 582  
Impairment of definite-lived assets     $ 49 $ 2,016 $ 0  
Expected performance goal achievement rate     100.00%      
Outstanding options to purchase common shares excluded from earnings per share calculations (in shares) | shares     17,200,000 19,000,000 14,900,000  
Trade Accounts Receivable            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Accounts receivable   4,500 $ 4,500 $ 3,000    
Other Accounts Receivable            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Accounts receivable   $ 1,100 $ 1,100 1,100    
Minimum            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Term of lease   15 years 15 years      
Highly effective hedging percentage   80.00% 80.00%      
Maximum            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Term of lease   25 years 25 years      
Highly effective hedging percentage   125.00% 125.00%      
Capitalized system development costs and software            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Amortization of capitalized system development costs and software     $ 284 300 $ 260  
Unamortized capitalized software costs   $ 1,900 $ 1,900 1,600    
Capitalized system development costs and software | Minimum            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Estimated useful life     3 years      
Capitalized system development costs and software | Maximum            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Estimated useful life     10 years      
Selling, general and administrative expense            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Impairment of definite-lived assets     $ 182 401 $ 163  
United States | Reportable Segments            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Inventories   6,200 6,200 6,400    
LIFO reserve   3,300 3,300 3,300    
International | Reportable Segments            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Inventories   $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 1,500    
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare            
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]            
Consideration from disposal $ 6,500         $ 6,900
Cash portion of consideration $ 6,275         $ 6,275
Shares issued as part of disposal (in shares) | shares 2,000,000