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
	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 01, 2012	Mar. 02, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013 Favorable leases and other	Mar. 02, 2013 Favorable leases and other	Aug. 31, 2013 Prescription files	Mar. 02, 2013 Prescription files	Aug. 31, 2013 Unfavorable lease intangibles	Mar. 02, 2013 Unfavorable lease intangibles
Finite-lived intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,942,123		$ 1,942,123		$ 1,909,628	$ 629,870	$ 623,541	$ 1,312,253	$ 1,286,087
Accumulated amortization	(1,503,347)		(1,503,347)		(1,445,224)	(432,767)	(413,556)	(1,070,580)	(1,031,668)
Remaining weighted average amortization period						9 years	10 years	4 years	4 years
Net carrying amount										66,227	70,195
Amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities	29,121	30,753	60,806	64,829
Anticipated annual amortization expense for intangible assets and liabilities
2014	109,429		109,429
2015	94,365		94,365
2016	82,848		82,848
2017	69,664		69,664
2018	$ 31,864		$ 31,864