Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2024

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 1		U.S. Healthcare		Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
August 31, 2022	$	10,947	$	1,293	$	10,040	$	22,280
Acquisitions 2	—		—		5,588		5,588
Measurement period adjustments	—		—		252		252
Currency translation adjustments and other	—		85		(18)		67
August 31, 2023	$	10,947	$	1,378	$	15,863	$	28,187
Measurement period adjustments	—		—		19		19
Impairments	—		—		(12,701)		(12,701)
Currency translation adjustments and other	—		9		(8)		1
August 31, 2024	$	10,947	$	1,388	$	3,173	$	15,506

1.As of fiscal 2022, prior period goodwill impairment charges of $1.7 billion were recognized in the International Segment.

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

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, 2024		August 31, 2023
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	4,868	$	4,658
Provider networks	2,957		3,202
Trade names and trademarks	2,294		2,300
Developed technology	469		469
Others	156		137
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	$	10,745	$	10,767
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	2,127	$	1,784
Provider networks	411		233
Trade names and trademarks	558		401
Developed technology	221		143
Others	62		48
Total accumulated amortization	3,379		2,609
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	7,367	$	8,158
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	4,759	$	4,650
Pharmacy licenses	848		828
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	5,607	$	5,477
Total intangible assets, net	$	12,973	$	13,635

1Includes 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 August 31, 2024 is as follows (in millions):

	2025		2026		2027		2028		2029
Estimated annual amortization expense	$	974	$	930	$	840	$	756	$	688

Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

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

Intangible assets:	August 31, 2024		August 31, 2023
Gross amortizable intangible assets
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	4,868	$	4,658
Provider networks	2,957		3,202
Trade names and trademarks	2,294		2,300
Developed technology	469		469
Others	156		137
Total gross amortizable intangible assets	$	10,745	$	10,767
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1	$	2,127	$	1,784
Provider networks	411		233
Trade names and trademarks	558		401
Developed technology	221		143
Others	62		48
Total accumulated amortization	3,379		2,609
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	$	7,367	$	8,158
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Trade names and trademarks	$	4,759	$	4,650
Pharmacy licenses	848		828
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	5,607	$	5,477
Total intangible assets, net	$	12,973	$	13,635

1Includes purchased prescription files.