Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011	Mar. 03, 2012	Dec. 01, 2012 Favorable leases and other	Mar. 03, 2012 Favorable leases and other	Dec. 01, 2012 Prescription files	Mar. 03, 2012 Prescription files	Dec. 01, 2012 Unfavorable lease intangibles	Mar. 03, 2012 Unfavorable lease intangibles
Finite-lived intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,892,282		$ 1,892,282		$ 1,854,306	$ 621,506	$ 614,862	$ 1,270,776	$ 1,239,444
Accumulated amortization	(1,415,869)		(1,415,869)		(1,325,531)	(404,882)	(374,685)	(1,010,987)	(950,846)
Remaining weighted average amortization period						10 years	10 years	4 years	5 years
Net carrying amount										73,196	82,030
Amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities	31,143	34,327	95,972	109,561
Anticipated annual amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities
2013	120,781		120,781
2014	99,995		99,995
2015	83,043		83,043
2016	71,748		71,748
2017	$ 58,685		$ 58,685