Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 19, 2011	Nov. 20, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,924,341	$ 1,791,662
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	940,714	883,914
Gross profit	983,627	907,748
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	642,693	601,627
Operating profit	340,934	306,121
Interest expense, net	39,094	37,253
Income before income taxes	301,840	268,868
Income taxes	110,715	96,792
Net income	$ 191,125	$ 172,076
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	39,865	44,669
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	999	965
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	40,864	45,634
Basic earnings per share	$ 4.79	$ 3.85
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.68	$ 3.77