Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2023

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of goodwill

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

Goodwill roll forward:	U.S. Retail Pharmacy		International		U.S. Healthcare		Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2021	$	10,947	$	1,474	$	—	$	12,421
Acquisitions 1	—		—		10,040		10,040
Currency translation adjustments and other	—		(181)		—		(181)
August 31, 2022	$	10,947	$	1,293	$	10,040	$	22,280
Acquisitions 2	$	—	$	—	$	5,588	$	5,588
Adjustments 3	—		—		252		252
Currency translation adjustments and other	—		85		(18)		67
August 31, 2023	$	10,947	$	1,378	$	15,863	$	28,187

1.In fiscal 2022, the Company acquired controlling equity interests in VillageMD, Shields and CareCentrix which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $8.0 billion, $1.5 billion and $454 million, respectively.

2.In fiscal 2023, additions to goodwill primarily relate to VillageMD's acquisition of Summit.

3.Includes measurement period adjustments related to the acquisitions of VillageMD, Shields and CareCentrix. See Note 3. Acquisitions and other investments.

Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets by major class

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

Intangible assets:	August 31, 2023		August 31, 2022
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	4,658	$	4,619
Provider networks	3,202		1,247
Trade names and trademarks	2,300		760
Developed technology	469		436
Others 2	137		93
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	$	10,767	$	7,155
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	1,784	$	1,548
Provider networks	233		64
Trade names and trademarks	401		246
Developed technology	143		56
Others 2	48		39
Total accumulated amortization	2,609		1,953
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	8,158	$	5,202
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	4,650	$	4,319
Pharmacy licenses	828		1,209
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	5,477	$	5,528
Total intangible assets, net	$	13,635	$	10,730

1Includes purchased prescription files.

2Includes certain reclassifications to conform to current period presentation.

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 August 31, 2023 is as follows (in millions):

	2024		2025		2026		2027		2028
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	930	$	884	$	852	$	773	$	697