The remaining amortization period of a major finite-lived intangible asset class.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

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Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Mar. 03, 2012	Sep. 01, 2012 Favorable leases and other	Mar. 03, 2012 Favorable leases and other	Sep. 01, 2012 Prescription files	Mar. 03, 2012 Prescription files	Sep. 01, 2012 Unfavorable lease intangibles	Mar. 03, 2012 Unfavorable lease intangibles
Finite-lived intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,868,773		$ 1,868,773		$ 1,854,306	$ 617,323	$ 614,862	$ 1,251,450	$ 1,239,444
Accumulated amortization	(1,386,320)		(1,386,320)		(1,325,531)	(394,681)	(374,685)	(991,639)	(950,846)
Remaining weighted average amortization period						10 years	10 years	4 years	5 years
Net carrying amount										77,144	82,030
Amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities	30,753	34,121	64,829	75,234
Anticipated annual amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities
2013	118,739		118,739
2014	94,725		94,725
2015	77,711		77,711
2016	66,442		66,442
2017	$ 53,466		$ 53,466