Leases (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2013 item	Mar. 03, 2012 item	Feb. 26, 2011 item
Leases
Total rental expense	$ 951,239	$ 976,892	$ 965,665
Net of sublease income	8,536	8,866	9,662
Contingent rental	21,026	22,659	23,336
Number of operating stores sold	2	2
Proceeds from sale of owned properties	6,355	6,038
Gain (loss) on sale of assets	$ 1,818	$ (3,896)
Number of sale-leaseback transactions			0
Minimum
Leases
Initial lease terms under noncancellable operating and capital leases	5 years
Initial terms of noncancellable operating lease	3 years
Sale leaseback minimum lease terms	12 years	7 years
Maximum
Leases
Initial lease terms under noncancellable operating and capital leases	22 years
Initial terms of noncancellable operating lease	10 years
Sale leaseback minimum lease terms	20 years	10 years