Asset Sale to WBA - Operating results of discontinued operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Mar. 03, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Sep. 02, 2017	Jun. 03, 2017	Mar. 04, 2017	Nov. 26, 2016	Aug. 27, 2016	May 28, 2016	Mar. 03, 2018	Mar. 04, 2017	Feb. 27, 2016
Income statement disclosures
Revenues										$ 8,686,397	$ 10,050,049	$ 10,045,543
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues										6,406,067	7,340,691	7,211,267
Selling, general and administrative expenses										2,134,276	2,465,364	2,432,175
Lease termination and impairment charges										77	9,516	7,946
Loss on debt retirements, net	$ (8,180)									(8,180)		(33,205)
Interest expense										224,300	231,926	263,442
Gain on stores sold to Walgreens Boots Alliance										(2,128,832)
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net										(377)	2,625	3,909
Cost and expenses										6,643,691	10,050,122	9,918,739
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes										2,042,706	(73)	126,804
Income tax expense										749,704	(46)	63,427
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 1,250,745	$ 99,213	$ (17,644)	$ (39,312)	$ 3,912	$ (8,600)	$ 8,737	$ (4,076)	$ 1,293,002	$ (27)	$ 63,377