Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010	Aug. 29, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 848,974	$ 738,311	$ 657,049
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	196,209	192,084	180,433
Amortization of debt origination fees	8,962	6,495	3,644
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(34,945)	(22,251)	(8,407)
Deferred income taxes	44,667	(9,023)	46,318
Share-based compensation expense	26,625	19,120	19,135
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(14,605)	782	(56,823)
Merchandise inventories	(155,421)	(96,077)	(76,337)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	342,826	349,122	137,158
Income taxes payable	34,319	12,474	32,264
Other, net	(6,073)	5,215	(10,626)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,291,538	1,196,252	923,808
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(321,604)	(315,400)	(272,247)
Purchase of marketable securities	(43,772)	(56,156)	(48,444)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	43,081	52,620	46,306
Disposal of capital assets	3,301	11,489	10,663
Net cash used in investing activities	(318,994)	(307,447)	(263,722)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from commercial paper	134,600	155,400	277,600
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings	6,901	26,186
Proceeds from issuance of debt	500,000		500,000
Repayment of debt	(199,300)		(300,700)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	55,846	52,922	39,855
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,466,802)	(1,123,655)	(1,300,002)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	34,945	22,251	8,407
Payments of capital lease obligations	(22,781)	(16,597)	(17,040)
Other	(17,180)		(15,016)
Net cash used in financing activities	(973,771)	(883,493)	(806,896)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	553	262	(2,945)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(674)	5,574	(149,755)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	98,280	92,706	242,461
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	97,606	98,280	92,706
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	155,531	150,745	132,905
Income taxes paid	405,654	420,575	299,021
Assets acquired through capital lease	$ 32,301	$ 75,881	$ 16,880