CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 01, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 122,489	$ (66,853)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	200,493	208,370
Lease termination and impairment charges	22,362	19,926
LIFO charges	35,000	27,502
Gain on sale of assets, net	(7,065)	(13,005)
Stock-based compensation expense	8,077	8,653
Loss on debt retirements, net	62,172	17,842
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	6,743	86,389
Inventories	(95,926)	87,779
Accounts payable	36,200	(117,116)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(126,633)	71,230
Net cash provided by operating activities	263,912	330,717
Investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(170,850)	(148,211)
Intangible assets acquired	(35,651)	(19,967)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	3,989	3,950
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and investments	9,698	15,900
Net cash used in investing activities	(192,814)	(148,328)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,310,000	426,263
Net proceeds from (payments to) revolver	12,000	(136,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,321,971)	(471,323)
Change in zero balance cash accounts	(5,319)	(48,481)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	12,263	1,004
Financing fees paid for early debt redemption	(45,636)	(11,069)
Deferred financing costs paid	(17,720)	(10,743)
Net cash used in financing activities	(56,383)	(250,349)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,715	(67,960)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	129,452	162,285
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	144,167	94,325
Supplementary cash flow data:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized amounts of $106 and $218, respectively)	219,240	192,503
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds	401	2,241
Equipment financed under capital leases	13,117	5,234
Equipment received for noncash consideration		2,132
Preferred stock dividends paid in additional shares	5,504	5,186
Gross borrowings from revolver	1,542,000	293,000
Gross repayments to revolver	$ 1,530,000	$ 429,000