CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2013	Mar. 03, 2012	Feb. 26, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 118,105	$ (368,571)	$ (555,424)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	414,111	440,582	505,546
Lease termination and impairment charges	70,859	100,053	210,893
LIFO (credit) charge	(147,882)	188,722	44,905
Gain on sale of assets, net	(16,776)	(8,703)	(22,224)
Stock-based compensation expense	17,717	15,861	17,336
Loss on debt retirements, net	140,502	33,576	44,003
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	82,721	(48,781)	(10,955)
Inventories	130,100	(169,935)	35,111
Accounts payable	(68)	146,302	156,116
Other assets and liabilities, net	10,199	(62,569)	(29,458)
Net cash provided by operating activities	819,588	266,537	395,849
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(315,846)	(215,004)	(162,287)
Intangible assets acquired	(67,134)	(35,133)	(24,233)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	6,355	6,038
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and investments	30,320	22,930	29,843
Net cash used in investing activities	(346,305)	(221,169)	(156,677)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,057,263	822,285	650,000
Net proceeds from (repayments to) revolver	529,000	108,000	(52,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(2,920,209)	(848,373)	(779,706)
Change in zero balance cash accounts	(43,659)	(32,838)	(15,657)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	1,646	914	226
Financing fees for early debt redemption	(75,374)	(11,778)	(19,666)
Deferred financing costs paid	(54,783)	(12,409)	(34,847)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(506,116)	25,801	(251,650)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(32,833)	71,169	(12,478)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	162,285	91,116	103,594
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 129,452	$ 162,285	$ 91,116