SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) segment agreement store state entity	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Accounts receivable due from employees to the Company	$ 800	$ 700
Allowance for doubtful supplier receivables	0	0
Replacement cost of inventory	4,700,000	3,920,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	$ 0
Self-insurance reserves, current	$ 138,926	128,794
Number of unconsolidated tax credit fund entities that were considered to be Variable Interest Entities | entity	6
Number of agreements to invest in additional tax credit funds | agreement	2
Equity method investment in VIEs, net	$ 38,000
Investment tax credit amount	167,600	177,100	170,500
Advertising expense, net	81,500	72,500	73,800
Total interest costs capitalized	5,500	7,000	$ 10,200
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization	24,700	22,000
Original issuance discounts, net of accretion	6,300	4,400
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	0	0
Other Assets
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization	2,600	$ 3,400
Renewable energy tax credit equity investments
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Capital contributions	$ 3,400
U.S.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of stores | store	5,929
Number of states, in which the Company operates | state	47
Mexico
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of stores | store	42
Loyalty Program Points [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred revenue, period expect to be recognized within	12 months
Loyalty Program Coupon [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred revenue, period expect to be recognized within	3 months