Represents the accumulated number of points required in a calendar year for achieving the "Gold" tier.

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred in general liability occurrences.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of points awarded for each dollar spent towards front end merchandise under wellness+ loyalty card program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of points awarded for each qualifying prescription under wellness+ loyalty card program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rad_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Represents the percentage discount on qualifying purchases of front end merchandise on achieving "Gold" tier.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 44

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16265-109275

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- Definition

Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 93-7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 720

-SubTopic 35

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The component of interest expense comprised of the periodic charge against earnings over the life of the financing arrangement to which such costs relate. Alternate captions include Noncash Interest Expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 8

-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Details

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- Definition

The useful life of all finite-lived intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 12, 13, 14

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15372-109273

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- Details

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- Definition

Current year acquisitions of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 9

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 03, 2012 point Y	Feb. 26, 2011	Feb. 27, 2010
Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life of prescription files acquired in business combinations (in years)	10
Estimated useful life of purchased prescription files acquired in other than business combinations (in years)	5
Deferred Financing Costs
Amortization expenses of deferred financing costs	$ 22,049	$ 23,797	$ 20,789
Revenue Recognition
Number of points awarded for each dollar spent towards front end merchandise	1
Number of points are awarded for each qualifying prescription	25
Accumulated number of points in a calendar year to achieve the "Gold" tier	1,000
Percentage discount on qualifying purchases of front end merchandise on achieving "Gold" tier	20.00%
Advertising
Advertising expenses, net of vendor advertising allowances	369,405	367,412	375,118
Insurance
Workers compensation occurrences	1,000
General liability occurrences	2,000
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life minimum (in years)	30
Useful life maximum (in years)	45
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful life minimum (in years)	3
Useful life maximum (in years)	15
Internal-use software
Property, Plant and Equipment
Capitalized costs	$ 6,371	$ 4,759	$ 4,256