CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2014	Mar. 02, 2013	Mar. 03, 2012
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 249,414	$ 118,105	$ (368,571)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	403,741	414,111	440,582
Lease termination and impairment charges	41,304	70,859	100,053
Gain from lease termination	(8,750)
LIFO charge (credit)	104,142	(147,882)	188,722
Gain on sale of assets, net	(15,984)	(16,776)	(8,703)
Stock-based compensation expense	16,194	17,717	15,861
Loss on debt retirements, net	62,443	140,502	33,576
Excess tax benefit on stock options and restricted stock	(26,665)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(28,051)	82,721	(48,781)
Inventories	56,557	130,100	(169,935)
Accounts payable	(100,774)	(68)	146,302
Other assets and liabilities, net	(51,525)	10,199	(62,569)
Net cash provided by operating activities	702,046	819,588	266,537
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(333,870)	(315,846)	(215,004)
Intangible assets acquired	(87,353)	(67,134)	(35,133)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	3,989	6,355	6,038
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and investments	28,416	30,320	22,930
Proceeds from lease termination	8,750
Proceeds from insured loss	15,144
Net cash used in investing activities	(364,924)	(346,305)	(221,169)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,310,000	2,057,263	822,285
Net (repayments to) proceeds from revolver	(265,000)	529,000	108,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,340,435)	(2,920,209)	(848,373)
Change in zero balance cash accounts	(95)	(43,659)	(32,838)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	33,217	1,646	914
Payments for the repurchase of preferred stock	(21,034)
Financing fees paid for early debt redemption	(45,636)	(75,374)	(11,778)
Excess tax benefit on stock options and restricted stock	26,665
Deferred financing costs paid	(17,850)	(54,783)	(12,409)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(320,168)	(506,116)	25,801
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,954	(32,833)	71,169
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	129,452	162,285	91,116
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 146,406	$ 129,452	$ 162,285