View Filing Data

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Aug. 25, 2012	Oct. 15, 2012	Feb. 11, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 25, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	AZO
Entity Registrant Name	AUTOZONE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866787
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-25
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,931,946
Entity Public Float			$ 12,668,552,608

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Net sales	$ 8,603,863	$ 8,072,973	$ 7,362,618
Cost of sales,including warehouse and delivery expenses	4,171,827	3,953,510	3,650,874
Gross profit	4,432,036	4,119,463	3,711,744
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	2,803,145	2,624,660	2,392,330
Operating profit	1,628,891	1,494,803	1,319,414
Interest expense, net	175,905	170,557	158,909
Income before income taxes	1,452,986	1,324,246	1,160,505
Income tax expense	522,613	475,272	422,194
Net income	$ 930,373	$ 848,974	$ 738,311
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	38,696	42,632	48,488
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	929	971	816
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	39,625	43,603	49,304
Basic earnings per share	$ 24.04	$ 19.91	$ 15.23
Diluted earnings per share	$ 23.48	$ 19.47	$ 14.97

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Aug. 27, 2011

Aug. 28, 2010

Net income

$ 930,373

$ 848,974

$ 738,311

Other comprehensive (loss):

Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes

^[1]

(17,262)

(17,346)

(8,133)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(13,866)

^[2]

8,347

^[2]

705

Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of taxes

^[3]

(128)

(171)

(104)

Net derivative activity, net of taxes

^[4]

(1,066)

(4,053)

(6,890)

Total other comprehensive loss

(32,322)

(13,223)

(14,422)

Comprehensive income

$ 898,051

$ 835,751

$ 723,889

[1]	(1) Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $29,744 in 2012, $3,998 in 2011, and $5,504 in 2010
[2]	Foreign currency is not shown net of deferred tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
[3]	(2) Unrealized losses on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $69 in 2012, $91 in 2011 and $56 in 2010
[4]	(3) Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $4,800 in 2012, $0 in 2011, and $3,700 in 2010

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

+ Details

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$ 29,744	$ 3,998	$ 5,504
Unrealized loss adjustment on marketable securities net of taxes	69	91	56
Net losses on outstanding derivatives, taxes	$ 4,800	$ 0	$ 3,700

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 103,093	$ 97,606
Accounts receivable	161,375	140,690
Merchandise inventories	2,627,983	2,466,107
Other current assets	85,649	88,022
Deferred income taxes	846
Total current assets	2,978,946	2,792,425
Property and equipment:
Land	800,175	740,276
Buildings and improvements	2,400,895	2,177,476
Equipment	1,016,835	994,369
Leasehold improvements	314,559	275,299
Construction in progress	127,297	184,452
Property and equipment	4,659,761	4,371,872
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,803,833	1,702,997
Property and equipment, net	2,855,928	2,668,875
Goodwill	302,645	302,645
Deferred income taxes	33,796	10,661
Other long-term assets	94,324	94,996
Other long-term assets, total	430,765	408,302
Assets	6,265,639	5,869,602
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	2,926,740	2,755,853
Accrued expenses and other	478,085	449,327
Income taxes payable	17,053	25,185
Deferred income taxes	183,833	166,449
Short-term borrowings	49,881	34,082
Total current liabilities	3,655,592	3,430,896
Long-term debt	3,718,302	3,317,600
Other long-term liabilities	439,770	375,338
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock, authorized 1,000 shares; no shares issued
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 200,000 shares; 39,869 shares issued and 37,028 shares outstanding in 2012 and 44,084 shares issued and 40,109 shares outstanding in 2011	399	441
Additional paid-in capital	689,890	591,384
Retained deficit	(1,033,197)	(643,998)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(152,013)	(119,691)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,053,104)	(1,082,368)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,548,025)	(1,254,232)
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit	$ 6,265,639	$ 5,869,602

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,869	44,084
Common stock, shares outstanding	37,028	40,109

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 930,373	$ 848,974	$ 738,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	211,831	196,209	192,084
Amortization of debt origination fees	8,066	8,962	6,495
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(63,041)	(34,945)	(22,251)
Deferred income taxes	25,557	44,667	(9,023)
Share-based compensation expense	33,363	26,625	19,120
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(21,276)	(14,605)	782
Merchandise inventories	(167,914)	(155,421)	(96,077)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	197,406	342,826	349,122
Income taxes payable	56,754	34,319	12,474
Other,net	12,862	(6,073)	5,215
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,223,981	1,291,538	1,196,252
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(378,054)	(321,604)	(315,400)
Purchase of marketable securities	(45,665)	(43,772)	(56,156)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	42,385	43,081	52,620
Disposal of capital assets	6,573	3,301	11,489
Net cash used in investing activities	(374,761)	(318,994)	(307,447)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (payments) proceeds from commercial paper	(54,200)	134,600	155,400
Net (payments) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(27,071)	6,901	26,186
Proceeds from issuance of debt	500,000	500,000
Repayment of debt		(199,300)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	75,343	55,846	52,922
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,362,869)	(1,466,802)	(1,123,655)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	63,041	34,945	22,251
Payments of capital lease obligations	(26,750)	(22,781)	(16,597)
Other	(10,927)	(17,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(843,433)	(973,771)	(883,493)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(300)	553	262
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,487	(674)	5,574
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	97,606	98,280	92,706
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	103,093	97,606	98,280
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	161,797	155,531	150,745
Income taxes paid	443,666	405,654	420,575
Assets acquired through capital lease	$ 74,726	$ 32,301	$ 75,881

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained (Deficit) Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Aug. 29, 2009	$ (433,074)	$ 579	$ 549,326	$ 136,935	$ (92,035)	$ (1,027,879)
Balance, Shares at Aug. 29, 2009		57,881
Net income	738,311			738,311
Total other comprehensive loss	(14,422)				(14,422)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,123,655)					(1,123,655)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (85)	(85,657)	(1,120,289)		1,206,031
Retirement of treasury shares, shares		(8,504)
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	52,922	$ 7	52,915
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plan, shares		684
Share-based compensation expense	19,120		19,120
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	22,251		22,251
Other	(218)			(301)	(11)	94
Balance at Aug. 28, 2010	(738,765)	$ 501	557,955	(245,344)	(106,468)	(945,409)
Balance, shares at Aug. 28, 2010		50,061
Net income	848,974			848,974
Total other comprehensive loss	(13,223)				(13,223)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,466,802)					(1,466,802)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (66)	(82,150)	(1,247,627)		1,329,843
Retirement of treasury shares, shares		(6,577)
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	55,846	$ 6	55,840
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plan, shares		600
Share-based compensation expense	24,794		24,794
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	34,945		34,945
Other	(1)			(1)
Balance at Aug. 27, 2011	$ (1,254,232)	$ 441	591,384	(643,998)	(119,691)	(1,082,368)
Balance, shares at Aug. 27, 2011	44,084	44,084
Net income	$ 930,373			930,373
Total other comprehensive loss	(32,322)				(32,322)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,362,869)					(1,362,869)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (49)	(72,512)	(1,319,572)		1,392,133
Retirement of treasury shares, shares		(4,929)
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	75,343	$ 7	75,336
Sale of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plan, shares		714
Share-based compensation expense	32,641		32,641
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	63,041		63,041
Balance at Aug. 25, 2012	$ (1,548,025)	$ 399	$ 689,890	$ (1,033,197)	$ (152,013)	$ (1,053,104)
Balance, shares at Aug. 25, 2012	39,869	39,869

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit (Parenthetical) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	629,168
Treasury Stock [Member]
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	3,795,000	5,598,000	6,376,000

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies

Business: AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“AutoZone” or the “Company”) are principally a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories. At the end of fiscal 2012, the Company operated 4,685 stores in the United States (“U.S.”), including Puerto Rico, and 321 stores in Mexico. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products. In 3,053 of the domestic stores, as well as select stores in Mexico, at the end of fiscal 2012, the Company had a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations and public sector accounts. The Company also sells the ALLDATA brand automotive diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com and www.alldatadiy.com. Additionally, the Company sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and the Company’s commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. The Company does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation services.

Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in August. Each of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 represented 52 weeks.

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AutoZone, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates: Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities to prepare these financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase. Cash equivalents include proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions with settlement terms of less than 5 days. Credit and debit card receivables included within cash and cash equivalents were $34.0 million at August 25, 2012 and $32.5 million at August 27, 2011.

Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable consists of receivables from commercial customers and vendors, and are presented net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts. AutoZone routinely grants credit to certain of its commercial customers. The risk of credit loss in its trade receivables is substantially mitigated by the Company’s credit evaluation process, short collection terms and sales to a large number of customers, as well as the low dollar value per transaction for most of its sales. Allowances for potential credit losses are determined based on historical experience and current evaluation of the composition of accounts receivable. Historically, credit losses have been within management’s expectations and the allowances for uncollectible accounts were $2.4 million at August 25, 2012, and $2.1 million at August 27, 2011.

Merchandise Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out method for domestic inventories and the first-in, first out (“FIFO”) method for Mexico inventories. Included in inventory are related purchasing, storage and handling costs. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company’s domestic inventory balances are effectively maintained under the FIFO method. The Company’s policy is not to write up inventory in excess of replacement cost. The cumulative balance of this unrecorded adjustment, which will be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on our merchandise purchases, was $270.4 million at August 25, 2012, and $253.3 million at August 27, 2011.

Marketable Securities: The Company invests a portion of its assets held by the Company’s wholly owned insurance captive in marketable debt securities and classifies them as available-for-sale. The Company includes these securities within the Other current assets and Other long-term assets captions in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and records the amounts at fair market value, which is determined using quoted market prices at the end of the reporting period. A discussion of marketable securities is included in “Note E – Fair Value Measurements” and “Note F – Marketable Securities”.

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, 40 to 50 years; building improvements, 5 to 15 years; equipment, 3 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements, over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the remaining lease term, which includes any reasonably assured renewal periods. Depreciation and amortization include amortization of assets under capital lease.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. When such an event occurs, the Company compares the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows of the asset (asset group) with the carrying amounts of the asset. If the undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the Company measures the amount of impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. There were no material impairment losses recorded in the three years ended August 25, 2012.

Goodwill: The cost in excess of fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has not been amortized since fiscal 2001, but an analysis is performed at least annually to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount to determine if any impairment exists. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. No impairment losses were recorded in the three years ended August 25, 2012. Goodwill was $302.6 million as of August 25, 2012, and August 27, 2011.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: AutoZone is exposed to market risk from, among other things, changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and fuel prices. From time to time, the Company uses various derivative instruments to reduce such risks. To date, based upon the Company’s current level of foreign operations, no derivative instruments have been utilized to reduce foreign exchange rate risk. All of the Company’s hedging activities are governed by guidelines that are authorized by AutoZone’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Further, the Company does not buy or sell derivative instruments for trading purposes.

AutoZone’s financial market risk results primarily from changes in interest rates. At times, AutoZone reduces its exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, treasury lock agreements and forward-starting interest rate swaps. All of the Company’s interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. Refer to “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. Cash flows related to these instruments designated as qualifying hedges are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted issuance of debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows. The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement.

Foreign Currency: The Company accounts for its Mexican operations using the Mexican peso as the functional currency and converts its financial statements from Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars. The cumulative loss on currency translation is recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss and approximated $50.3 million at August 25, 2012 and $36.4 million at August 27, 2011.

Self-Insurance Reserves: The Company retains a significant portion of the risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general, products liability, property and vehicle insurance. Through various methods, which include analyses of historical trends and utilization of actuaries, the Company estimates the costs of these risks. The costs are accrued based upon the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an estimated liability for claims incurred but not reported. Estimates are based on calculations that consider historical lag and claim development factors. The long-term portions of these liabilities are recorded at the Company’s estimate of their net present value.

Deferred Rent: The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the course of the lease term, which includes any reasonably assured renewal periods, beginning on the date the Company takes physical possession of the property (see “Note M – Leases”). Differences between this calculated expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability within the Accrued expenses and other and Other long-term liabilities captions in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the terms of the lease. Deferred rent approximated $86.9 million as of August 25, 2012, and $77.6 million as of August 27, 2011.

Financial Instruments: The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. A discussion of the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt is included in “Note I – Financing,” marketable securities is included in “Note F – Marketable Securities,” and derivatives is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments.”

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Our effective tax rate is based on income by tax jurisdiction, statutory rates, and tax saving initiatives available to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.

The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company must determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. These reevaluations are based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit, expirations due to statutes, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the tax accrual.

The Company classifies interest related to income tax liabilities, and if applicable, penalties, as a component of Income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties that are expected to be payable within one year of the balance sheet date are presented within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portion of the income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are presented within the Other long-term liabilities caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets because payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date.

Sales and Use Taxes: Governmental authorities assess sales and use taxes on the sale of goods and services. The Company excludes taxes collected from customers in its reported sales results; such amounts are included within the Accrued expenses and other caption until remitted to the taxing authorities.

Dividends: The Company currently does not pay a dividend on its common stock. The ability to pay dividends is subject to limitations imposed by Nevada law. Under Nevada law, any future payment of dividends would be dependent upon the Company’s financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and cash flow.

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes sales at the time the sale is made and the product is delivered to the customer. Revenue from sales are presented net of allowances for estimated sales returns, which are based on historical return rates.

A portion of the Company's transactions include the sale of auto parts that contain a core component. The core component represents the recyclable portion of the auto part. Customers are not charged for the core component of the new part if a used core is returned at the point of sale of the new part; otherwise the Company charges customers a specified amount for the core component. The Company refunds that same amount upon the customer returning a used core to the store at a later date. The Company does not recognize sales or cost of sales for the core component of these transactions when a used part is returned or expected to be returned from the customer.

Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs: The Company receives various payments and allowances from its vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements. Monies received from vendors include rebates, allowances and promotional funds. The amounts to be received are subject to the terms of the vendor agreements, which generally do not state an expiration date, but are subject to ongoing negotiations that may be impacted in the future based on changes in market conditions, vendor marketing strategies and changes in the profitability or sell-through of the related merchandise.

Rebates and other miscellaneous incentives are earned based on purchases or product sales and are accrued ratably over the purchase or sale of the related product. These monies are generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise inventories and are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventories are sold.

For arrangements that provide for reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by the Company in selling the vendors’ products, the vendor funds are recorded as a reduction to Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which the specific costs were incurred.

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds, was $74.7 million in fiscal 2012, $71.5 million in fiscal 2011, and $65.5 million in fiscal 2010. Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense, amounted to $19.7 million in fiscal 2012, $23.2 million in fiscal 2011, and $19.6 million in fiscal 2010.

Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The following illustrates the primary costs classified in each major expense category:

Cost of Sales

•

Total cost of merchandise sold, including:

•

Freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from the Company’s vendors to the distribution centers and to the retail stores;

•

Vendor allowances that are not reimbursements for specific, incremental and identifiable costs;

•

Costs associated with operating the Company’s supply chain, including payroll and benefit costs, warehouse occupancy costs, transportation costs and depreciation; and

•

Inventory shrinkage

Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

•

Payroll and benefit costs for store and store support employees;

•

Occupancy costs of store and store support facilities;

•

Depreciation and amortization related to retail and store support assets;

•

Transportation costs associated with commercial and hub deliveries;

•

Advertising;

•

Self insurance costs; and

•

Other administrative costs, such as credit card transaction fees, supplies, and travel and lodging

Warranty Costs: The Company or the vendors supplying its products provides the Company’s customers limited warranties on certain products that range from 30 days to lifetime. In most cases, the Company’s vendors are primarily responsible for warranty claims. Warranty costs relating to merchandise sold under warranty not covered by vendors are estimated and recorded as warranty obligations at the time of sale based on each product’s historical return rate. These obligations, which are often funded by vendor allowances, are recorded within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For vendor allowances that are in excess of the related estimated warranty expense for the vendor’s products, the excess is recorded in inventory and recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventory is sold.

Shipping and Handling Costs: The Company does not generally charge customers separately for shipping and handling. Substantially all the costs the Company incurs to ship products to our stores are included in cost of sales.

Pre-opening Expenses: Pre-opening expenses, which consist primarily of payroll and occupancy costs, are expensed as incurred.

Earnings per Share: Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares adjusted for the effect of common stock equivalents, which are primarily stock options. There were 30,000 stock options excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation that would have been anti-dilutive as of August 25, 2012. There were no options excluded for the years ended August 27, 2011 and August 28, 2010.

Share-Based Payments: Share-based payments include stock option grants and certain other transactions under the Company’s stock plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. See “Note B – Share-Based Payments” for further discussion.

Risk and Uncertainties: In fiscal 2012, one class of similar products accounted for 10 percent of the Company’s total revenues, and one vendor supplied more than 10 percent of the Company’s total purchases. No other class of similar products accounted for 10 percent or more of total revenues, and no other individual vendor provided more than 10 percent of total purchases.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASU 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists based on a qualitative assessment of adverse factors. The Company adopted this standard in fiscal 2012, and it did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which amends ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. The purpose of ASU 2011-04 is to clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and to change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The Company adopted this standard in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The objective of ASU 2011-05 is to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The update requires entities to present items of net income, items of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or two separate consecutive statements, and entities are no longer allowed to present items of other comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-05 also states that reclassification adjustments between other comprehensive income and net income are presented separately on the face of the financial statements. However, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 in December 2011, which deferred the effective date pertaining to these reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income until the FASB was able to reconsider operational concerns. All other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are not affected by ASU 2011-12. The Company has early adopted ASU 2011-05 effective August 25, 2012, and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which amends ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. The purpose of ASU 2011-08 is to simplify how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. Entities will assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value. In instances where the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, entities will perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-08 to have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending August 31, 2013.

Share-Based Payments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Share-Based Payments

Note B – Share-Based Payments

Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $33.4 million for fiscal 2012, $26.6 million for fiscal 2011, and $19.1 million for fiscal 2010. As of August 25, 2012, share-based compensation expense for unvested awards not yet recognized in earnings is $25.6 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years. Tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost are classified as a financing cash inflow.

On December 15, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2011 Plan”), allowing the Company to provide equity-based compensation to non-employee directors and employees for their service to AutoZone or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Under the 2011 Plan, participants may receive equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, deferred stock, stock payments, performance share awards and other incentive awards structured by the Board and the Compensation Committee of the Board. Prior to the Company’s adoption of the 2011 Plan, equity-based compensation was provided to employees under the 2006 Stock Option Plan and to non-employee directors under the 2003 Director Compensation Plan (the “2003 Comp Plan”) and the 2003 Director Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Option Plan”).

The Company grants options to purchase common stock to certain of its employees under its plan at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date of grant. Options have a term of 10 years or 10 years and one day from grant date. Employee options generally vest in equal annual installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and generally have 30 or 90 days after the service relationship ends, or one year after death, to exercise all vested options. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date.

In addition to the 2011 Plan, on December 15, 2010, the Company adopted the 2011 Director Compensation Program (the “2011 Program”), which states that non-employee directors will receive their compensation in awards of restricted stock units under the 2011 Plan. Under the 2011 Program, restricted stock units are granted the first day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted stock units granted each quarter is determined by dividing one-fourth of the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the grant date. The restricted stock units are fully vested on the date they are issued and are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock subsequent to the non-employee director ceasing to be a member of the Board.

The 2011 Program replaced the 2003 Comp Plan and the 2003 Option Plan. Under the 2003 Comp Plan, non-employee directors could receive no more than one-half of their director fees immediately in cash, and the remainder of the fees was required to be taken in common stock or stock appreciation rights. The director had the option to elect to receive up to 100% of the fees in stock or defer all or part of the fees in units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. At August 25, 2012, the Company has $6.7 million accrued related to 18,241 outstanding units issued under the 2003 Comp Plan and prior plans, and there was $5.9 million accrued related to 19,709 outstanding units issued as of August 27, 2011. No additional shares of stock or units will be issued in future years under the 2003 Comp Plan.

Under the 2003 Option Plan, each non-employee director received an option grant on January 1 of each year, and each new non-employee director received an option to purchase 3,000 shares upon election to the Board, plus a portion of the annual directors’ option grant prorated for the portion of the year actually served. These stock option grants were made at the fair market value as of the grant date and generally vested three years from the grant date. There were 104,679 and 125,614 outstanding options under the 2003 Option Plan as of August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, respectively. No additional shares of stock or units will be issued in future years under the 2003 Option Plan.

The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The following table presents the weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted and the related share-based compensation expense:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Expected price volatility		28	%		31	%		31	%
Risk-free interest rates		0.7	%		1.0	%		1.8	%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.4			4.3			4.3
Forfeiture rate		10	%		10	%		10	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%

The following methodologies were applied in developing the assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted:

Expected price volatility – This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company uses actual historical changes in the market value of its stock to calculate the volatility assumption as it is management’s belief that this is the best indicator of future volatility. The Company calculates daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.

Risk-free interest rate – This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the week of the grant having a term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.

Expected lives – This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. Options granted have a maximum term of ten years or ten years and one day. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.

Forfeiture rate – This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or canceled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience at the time of valuation and reduces expense ratably over the vesting period. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense. This estimate is evaluated periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.

Dividend yield – The Company has not made any dividend payments nor does it have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted was $94.71 during fiscal 2012, $58.57 during fiscal 2011, and $40.75 during fiscal 2010. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $176.5 million in fiscal 2012, $100.0 million in fiscal 2011, and $64.8 million in fiscal 2010. The total fair value of options vested was $32.6 million in fiscal 2012, $20.7 million in fiscal 2011 and $20.7 million in fiscal 2010.

The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended August 25, 2012:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding – August 27, 2011		2,630,194		$	132.32
Granted		407,130			330.12
Exercised		(712,524	)		107.84
Canceled		(62,121	)		227.53

Outstanding – August 25, 2012		2,262,679			173.01		6.40	$	435,062

Exercisable		1,236,652			120.55		5.03		302,402

Expected to vest		1,026,027			236.25		8.05		118,969

Available for future grants		2,420,546

The Company recognized $1.5 million in expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives under various share purchase plans in fiscal 2012, $1.4 million in fiscal 2011 and $1.0 million in fiscal 2010. The Sixth Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Plan”), which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, permits all eligible employees to purchase AutoZone’s common stock at 85% of the lower of the market price of the common stock on the first day or last day of each calendar quarter through payroll deductions. Maximum permitted annual purchases are $15,000 per employee or 10 percent of compensation, whichever is less. Under the Employee Plan, 19,403 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2012, 21,608 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2011, and 26,620 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2010. The Company repurchased 24,113 shares at fair value in fiscal 2012, 30,864 shares at fair value in fiscal 2011, and 30,617 shares at fair value in fiscal 2010 from employees electing to sell their stock. Issuances of shares under the Employee Plan are netted against repurchases and such repurchases are not included in share repurchases disclosed in “Note K – Stock Repurchase Program.” At August 25, 2012, 252,972 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Employee Plan.

Once executives have reached the maximum purchases under the Employee Plan, the Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “Executive Plan”) permits all eligible executives to purchase AutoZone’s common stock up to 25 percent of his or her annual salary and bonus. Purchases under the Executive Plan were 3,937 shares in fiscal 2012, 1,719 shares in fiscal 2011, and 1,483 shares in fiscal 2010. At August 25, 2012, 252,400 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Executive Plan.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6406099&loc=d3e25284-112666

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418621&loc=d3e17540-113929

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5444-113901

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Accrued Expenses and Other

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Accrued Expenses and Other

Note C – Accrued Expenses and Other

Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011
Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion)	$	63,484	$	55,896
Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits		151,669		151,419
Property, sales, and other taxes		97,542		89,675
Accrued interest		39,220		33,811
Accrued gift cards		29,060		27,406
Accrued sales and warranty returns		17,276		16,269
Capital lease obligations		29,842		25,296
Other		49,992		49,555

	$	478,085	$	449,327

The Company retains a significant portion of the insurance risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general, products liability, property and vehicle insurance. A portion of these self-insured losses is managed through a wholly owned insurance captive. The Company maintains certain levels for stop-loss coverage for each self-insured plan in order to limit its liability for large claims. The limits are per claim and are $1.5 million for workers’ compensation and property, $0.5 million for employee health, and $1.0 million for general, products liability, and vehicle.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Income Taxes

Note D – Income Taxes

The provision for income tax expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Current:
Federal	$	449,670		$	391,132		$	397,062
State		47,386			39,473			34,155

		497,056			430,605			431,217
Deferred:
Federal		28,379			49,698			(3,831	)
State		(2,822	)		(5,031	)		(5,192	)

		25,557			44,667			(9,023	)

Income tax expense	$	522,613		$	475,272		$	422,194

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes is as follows:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net		2.0	%		1.7	%		1.6	%
Other		(1.0	%)		(0.8	%)		(0.2	%)

Effective tax rate		36.0	%		35.9	%		36.4	%

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$	36,605		$	31,772
Insurance reserves		18,185			17,542
Accrued benefits		63,320			61,436
Pension		43,904			30,967
Other		41,658			39,878

Total deferred tax assets		203,672			181,595
Less: Valuation allowances		(9,532	)		(7,973	)

Net deferred tax assets		194,140			173,622
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(67,480	)		(64,873	)
Inventory		(244,414	)		(220,234	)
Other		(31,437	)		(44,303	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(343,331	)		(329,410	)

Net deferred tax liability	$	(149,191	)	$	(155,788	)

Deferred taxes are not provided for temporary differences of approximately $195.8 million at August 25, 2012, and $140.2 million at August 27, 2011, representing earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries that are intended to be permanently reinvested. Computation of the potential deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings and other basis differences is not practicable.

At August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, the Company had deferred tax assets of $7.8 million and $8.0 million from federal tax operating losses (“NOLs”) of $22.2 million and $22.8 million, and deferred tax assets of $2.1 million and $1.1 million from state tax NOLs of $46.6 million and $22.5 million, respectively. At August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, the Company had deferred tax assets of $2.4 million and $1.5 million from Non-U.S. NOLs of $7.7 million and $5.1 million, respectively. The federal and state NOLs expire between fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2031. At August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, the Company had a valuation allowance of $9.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively, for certain federal, state, and Non-U.S. NOLs resulting primarily from annual statutory usage limitations. At August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, the Company had deferred tax assets of $24.3 million and $21.2 million, respectively, for federal, state, and Non-U.S. income tax credit carryforwards. Certain tax credit carryforwards have no expiration date and others will expire in fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2026. At August 25, 2012, the Company had a valuation allowance of $0.4 million for Non-U.S. tax credits.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Beginning balance	$	29,906		$	38,554
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		6,869			6,205
Additions for tax positions of prior years		44			11,787
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1,687	)		(20,998	)
Reductions due to settlements		(4,586	)		(3,829	)
Reductions due to statute of limitations		(2,831	)		(1,813	)

Ending balance	$	27,715		$	29,906

Included in the August 25, 2012, balance is $18.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate.

The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense. The Company had $4.1 million and $5.2 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits at August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, respectively.

The major jurisdictions where the Company files income tax returns are the United States and Mexico. With few exceptions, tax returns filed for tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open and subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities. The Company is typically engaged in various tax examinations at any given time, both by U. S. federal and state taxing jurisdictions. As of August 25, 2012, the Company estimates that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $6.0 million over the next twelve months as a result of tax audit closings, settlements, and the expiration of statutes to examine such returns in various jurisdictions. While the Company believes that it is adequately accrued for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined at this time and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Fair Value Measurements

Note E – Fair Value Measurements

The Company has adopted ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. This standard defines fair value as the price received to transfer an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value by creating a hierarchy of valuation inputs used to measure fair value, and although it does not require additional fair value measurements, it applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.

The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:

Level 1 inputs — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.

Level 2 inputs — inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.

Level 3 inputs — unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Financial Assets & Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:


	August 25, 2012
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	22,515	$	—		$	—	$	22,515
Other long-term assets		40,424		13,275			—		53,699

	$	62,939	$	13,275		$	—	$	76,214

Accrued expenses and other	$	—	$	(4,915	)	$	—	$	(4,915	)


	August 27, 2011
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	11,872	$	—	$	—	$	11,872
Other long-term assets		55,390		5,869		—		61,259

	$	67,262	$	5,869	$	—	$	73,131

At August 25, 2012, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $22.5 million, which are included within Other current assets; long-term marketable securities of $53.7 million, which are included in Other long-term assets; and cash flow hedging instruments of $4.9 million, which are included within Accrued expenses and other. The Company’s marketable securities are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter or through the use of other market inputs relating to the securities, including benchmark yields and reported trades. A discussion on how the Company’s cash flow hedges are valued is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments”, while the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets are disclosed in “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans”.

Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Non-financial assets could be required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in certain circumstances, including the event of impairment. The assets could include assets acquired in an acquisition as well as property, plant and equipment that are determined to be impaired. During fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, the Company did not have any significant non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

Financial Instruments not Recognized at Fair Value

The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The fair value of the Company’s debt is disclosed in “Note I – Financing”.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

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+ Details

Marketable Securities

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Marketable Securities

Note F – Marketable Securities

The Company’s basis for determining the cost of a security sold is the “Specific Identification Model”. Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:


	August 25, 2012
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,215	$	307	$	—		$	26,522
Government bonds		20,790		117		(1	)		20,906
Mortgage-backed securities		4,369		17		(19	)		4,367
Asset-backed securities and other		24,299		120		—			24,419

	$	75,673	$	561	$	(20	)	$	76,214


	August 27, 2011
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,261	$	229	$	(45	)	$	26,445
Government bonds		29,464		343		—			29,807
Mortgage-backed securities		4,291		55		—			4,346
Asset-backed securities and other		12,377		156		—			12,533

	$	72,393	$	783	$	(45	)	$	73,131

The debt securities held at August 25, 2012, had effective maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 3 years. The Company did not realize any material gains or losses on its sale of marketable securities during fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, or fiscal 2010.

The Company holds six securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $20 thousand at August 25, 2012. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value or maturity, and does not deem the investments to be impaired on an other than temporary basis. In evaluating whether the securities are deemed to be impaired on an other than temporary basis, the Company considers factors such as the duration and severity of the loss position, the credit worthiness of the investee, the term to maturity and our intent and ability to hold the investments until maturity or until recovery of fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Note G – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes certain adjustments to pension liabilities, foreign currency translation adjustments, certain activity for interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks that qualify as cash flow hedges and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	Pension Liability		Foreign Currency ⁽¹⁾			Net Unrealized Gain on Securities			Derivatives		Total
Balance at August 28, 2010	$	59,359	$	44,748		$	(650	)	$	3,011	$	106,468
Fiscal 2011 activity		17,346		(8,347	)		171			4,053		13,223

Balance at August 27, 2011		76,705		36,401			(479	)		7,064		119,691
Fiscal 2012 activity		17,262		13,866			128			1,066		32,322

Balance at August 25, 2012	$	93,967	$	50,267		$	(351	)	$	8,130	$	152,013

(1)

Foreign currency is not shown net of deferred tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.

During fiscal 2012, the Company was party to four treasury rate locks. Two of the treasury rate locks were settled during third quarter of fiscal 2012, resulting in a loss of $2.8 million. The remaining two treasury rate locks are outstanding as of August 25, 2012, and have a liability balance of $4.9 million at the balance sheet date. The net losses on the four treasury rate locks are partially offset by net losses from prior derivatives being amortized into Interest expense of $1.9 million. The net derivative activity in fiscal 2011 reflects net losses on three forward starting swaps, resulting in a loss of $5.4 million, offset by net losses from prior derivatives being amortized into Interest expense of $1.4 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

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+ Details

H - Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

H - Derivative Financial Instruments

Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company periodically uses derivatives to hedge exposures to interest rates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. For transactions that meet the hedge accounting criteria, the Company formally designates and documents the instrument as a hedge at inception and quarterly thereafter assesses the hedges to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the underlying exposures. Derivatives are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value, determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. In accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portion of a financial instrument’s change in fair value is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges and any ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company entered into two treasury rate locks, each with a notional amount of $100 million. These agreements, which are set to expire on November 1, 2012, are cash flow hedges used to hedge the exposure to variability in future cash flows resulting from changes in variable interest rates relating to an anticipated debt transaction. The fixed rates of the hedges are 2.07% and 1.92% and are benchmarked based on the 10-year U.S. treasury notes. It is expected that upon settlement of these agreements, the realized gain or loss will be deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to Interest expense over the life of the underlying debt. As of August 25, 2012, no ineffectiveness was recognized in earnings.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company entered into two treasury rate locks. These agreements were designated as cash flow hedges and were used to hedge the exposure to variability in future cash flows resulting from changes in variable interest rates related to the $500 million Senior Note debt issuance in April 2012. The treasury rate locks had notional amounts of $300 million and $100 million with associated fixed rates of 2.09% and 2.07% respectively. The locks were benchmarked based on the 10-year U.S. treasury notes. These locks expired on April 20, 2012 and resulted in a loss of $2.8 million, which has been deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified to Interest expense over the life of the underlying debt. The hedges remained highly effective until they expired, and no ineffectiveness was recognized in earnings.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company was party to three forward starting swaps, of which two were entered into during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and one was entered into during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. These agreements were designated as cash flow hedges and were used to hedge the exposure to variability in future cash flows resulting from changes in variable interest rates related to the $500 million Senior Note debt issuance during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The swaps had notional amounts of $150 million, $150 million and $100 million with associated fixed rates of 3.15%, 3.13%, and 2.57%, respectively. The swaps were benchmarked based on the 3-month London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). These swaps expired in November 2010 and resulted in a loss of $11.7 million, which has been deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be reclassified to Interest expense over the life of the underlying debt. The hedges remained highly effective until they expired, and no ineffectiveness was recognized in earnings.

At August 25, 2012, the Company had $8.0 million recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net realized losses associated with terminated interest rate swap and treasury rate lock derivatives which were designated as hedging instruments. Net losses are amortized into Interest expense over the remaining life of the associated debt. During the fiscal year ended August 25, 2012, the Company reclassified $1.9 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the fiscal year ended August 27, 2011, the Company reclassified $1.4 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. The Company expects to reclassify $904 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense over the next 12 months.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising therefrom, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items.

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5708773-113959

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5580258-113959

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 25
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4E
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624181-113959

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

I - Financing

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

I - Financing

Note I – Financing

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%	$	300,000	$	300,000
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65%		200,000		200,000
6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63%		500,000		500,000
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%		500,000		500,000
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%		300,000		300,000
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09%		200,000		200,000
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%		250,000		250,000
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43%		500,000		500,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85%		500,000		—
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at August 25, 2012, and 0.35% at August 27, 2011		468,302		567,600

	$	3,718,302	$	3,317,600

As of August 25, 2012, the commercial paper borrowings, the 5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, and the 4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013 mature in the next twelve months but are classified as long-term in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance them on a long-term basis. Specifically, excluding the effect of commercial paper borrowings, the Company had $996.6 million of availability under its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, expiring in September 2016 that would allow it to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing.

In addition to the long-term debt discussed above, the Company had $49.9 million of short-term borrowings that are scheduled to mature in the next twelve months as of August 25, 2012. The short-term borrowings are $45.1 million of commercial paper borrowings that accrue interest at 0.42% and $4.8 million of unsecured, peso denominated borrowings that accrue interest at 4.57% as of August 25, 2012.

In September 2011, the Company amended and restated its $800 million revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to expire in July 2012. The capacity under the revolving credit facility was increased to $1.0 billion. This credit facility is available to primarily support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term, unsecured bank loans. The capacity of the credit facility may be increased to $1.250 billion prior to the maturity date at the Company’s election and subject to bank credit capacity and approval, may include up to $200 million in letters of credit, and may include up to $175 million in capital leases each fiscal year. Under the revolving credit facility, the Company may borrow funds consisting of Eurodollar loans or base rate loans. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the revolving credit facility, depending upon the Company’s senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt rating. Interest accrues on base rate loans as defined in the credit facility. The Company also has the option to borrow funds under the terms of a swingline loan subfacility. The revolving credit facility expires in September 2016.

The revolving credit facility agreement requires that the Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.50:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. The Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 25, 2012 was 4.58:1.

In June 2010, the Company entered into a letter of credit facility that allows the Company to request the participating bank to issue letters of credit on the Company’s behalf up to an aggregate amount of $100 million. The letter of credit facility is in addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the revolving credit facility. As of August 25, 2012, the Company has $98.7 million in letters of credit outstanding under the letter of credit facility, which expires in June 2013.

On April 24, 2012, the Company issued $500 million in 3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022 under the Company’s shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2012 (the “Shelf Registration”). The Shelf Registration allows the Company to sell an indeterminate amount in debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt and for working capital, capital expenditures, new store openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of debt to repay a portion of the commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

On November 15, 2010, the Company issued $500 million in 4.000% Senior Notes due 2020 under a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2008. The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of debt to repay the principal due relating to the $199.3 million in 4.750% Senior Notes that matured on November 15, 2010, to repay a portion of the commercial paper borrowings and for general corporate purposes.

The 5.750% Senior Notes issued in July 2009 and the 6.500% and 7.125% Senior Notes issued during August 2008, (collectively, the “Notes”), are subject to an interest rate adjustment if the debt ratings assigned to the Notes are downgraded. The Notes, along with the 3.700% Senior Notes issued in April 2012 and the 4.000% Senior Notes issued in during November 2010, also contain a provision that repayment of the notes may be accelerated if the Company experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements). The Company’s borrowings under its other senior notes contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under the revolving credit facility, covenants include limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens, a maximum debt to earnings ratio, and a change of control provision that may require acceleration of the repayment obligations under certain circumstances. These covenants are in addition to the consolidated interest coverage ratio discussed above. All of the repayment obligations under the borrowing arrangements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs.

As of August 25, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to its borrowing arrangements. All of the Company’s debt is unsecured. Scheduled maturities of long-term debt are as follows:


(in thousands)	Scheduled Maturities
2013	$	968,302
2014		500,000
2015		500,000
2016		500,000
2017		—
Thereafter		1,250,000

	$	3,718,302

The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $4.055 billion as of August 25, 2012, and $3.633 billion as of August 27, 2011, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates available to the Company for debt of the same terms (Level 2). Such fair value is greater than the carrying value of debt by $286.6 million and $281.0 million at August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2011, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References + Details

Interest Expense

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Interest Expense

Note J – Interest Expense

Net interest expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Interest expense	$	178,547		$	173,674		$	162,628
Interest income		(1,397	)		(2,058	)		(2,626	)
Capitalized interest		(1,245	)		(1,059	)		(1,093	)

	$	175,905		$	170,557		$	158,909

K - Stock Repurchase Program

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

K - Stock Repurchase Program

Note K – Stock Repurchase Program

During 1998, the Company announced a program permitting the Company to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by the Board. The program was last amended on March 7, 2012 to increase the repurchase authorization to $11.90 billion from $11.15 billion. From January 1998 to August 25, 2012, the Company has repurchased a total of 131.1 million shares at an aggregate cost of $11.5 billion.

The Company’s share repurchase activity consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011		August 28, 2010
Amount	$	1,362,869	$	1,466,802	$	1,123,655
Shares		3,795		5,598		6,376

During the fiscal year 2012, the Company retired 4.9 million shares of treasury stock which had previously been repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program. The retirement increased Retained deficit by $1,319.6 million and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $72.5 million. During the comparable prior year period, the Company retired 6.6 million shares of treasury stock, which increased Retained deficit by $1,247.7 million and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $82.2 million.

Subsequent to August 25, 2012, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $11.90 billion to $12.65 billion. We have repurchased 629,168 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $234.6 million during fiscal 2013.

Pension and Savings Plans

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Pension and Savings Plans

Note L – Pension and Savings Plans

Prior to January 1, 2003, substantially all full-time employees were covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The benefits under the plan were based on years of service and the employee’s highest consecutive five-year average compensation. On January 1, 2003, the plan was frozen. Accordingly, pension plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan.

On January 1, 2003, the Company’s supplemental defined benefit pension plan for certain highly compensated employees was also frozen. Accordingly, plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan.

The Company has recognized the unfunded status of the defined pension plans in its Consolidated Balance Sheets, which represents the difference between the fair value of pension plan assets and the projected benefit obligations of its defined benefit pension plans. The net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension expense pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic pension expense in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Those amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension expense on the same basis as the amounts previously recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The Company’s investment strategy for pension plan assets is to utilize a diversified mix of domestic and international equity and fixed income portfolios to earn a long-term investment return that meets the Company’s pension plan obligations. The pension plan assets are invested primarily in listed securities, and the pension plans hold only a minimal investment in AutoZone common stock that is entirely at the discretion of third-party pension fund investment managers. The Company’s largest holding classes, U.S. equities and fixed income bonds, are invested with a fund manager that holds diversified portfolios. Accordingly, the Company does not have any significant concentrations of risk in particular securities, issuers, sectors, industries or geographic regions. Alternative investment strategies are in the process of being liquidated and constitute less than 2% of the pension plan assets. The Company’s investment managers are prohibited from using derivatives for speculative purposes and are not permitted to use derivatives to leverage a portfolio.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s investments measured at fair value:

U.S., international, emerging, and high yield equities – These investments are commingled funds and are valued using the net asset values, which are determined by valuing investments at the closing price or last trade reported on the major market on which the individual securities are traded. These investments are subject to annual audits.

Alternative investments – This category represents a hedge fund of funds made up of 16 different hedge fund managers diversified over 9 different hedge strategies. The fair value of the hedge fund of funds is determined using valuations provided by the third party administrator for each of the underlying funds.

Real estate – The valuation of these investments requires significant judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. These investments are valued based upon recommendations of our investment manager incorporating factors such as contributions and distributions, market transactions, and market comparables.

Fixed income securities – The fair values of corporate, U.S. government securities and other fixed income securities are estimated by using bid evaluation pricing models or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.

Cash and cash equivalents – These investments include cash equivalents valued using exchange rates provided by an industry pricing vendor and commingled funds valued using the net asset value. These investments also include cash.

The fair values of investments by level and asset category and the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans at the measurement date are presented in the following table:


	August 25, 2012
	Fair Value		Asset Allocation						Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Actual			Target			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
U.S. equities	$	51,101		28.2	%		30.0	%	$	—	$	51,101	$	—
International equities		31,767		17.5			20.0			—		31,767		—
Emerging equities		16,471		9.1			10.0			—		16,471		—
High yield equities		17,378		9.6			10.0			—		17,378		—
Alternative investments		2,404		1.3			—			—		—		2,404
Fixed income securities		47,667		26.3			30.0			—		47,667		—
Cash and cash equivalents		14,621		8.0			—			—		14,621		—

	$	181,409		100.0	%		100.0	%	$	—	$	179,005	$	2,404


	August 27, 2011
	Fair Value		Asset Allocation						Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Actual			Target			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
U.S. equities	$	40,092		25.5	%		30.0	%	$	—	$	40,092	$	—
International equities		28,378		18.1			20.0			—		28,378		—
Emerging equities		12,086		7.7			10.0			—		12,086		—
High yield equities		12,547		8.0			10.0			—		12,547		—
Alternative investments		2,807		1.8			—			—		—		2,807
Real estate		2,474		1.6			—			—		—		2,474
Fixed income securities		27,321		17.4			30.0			—		27,321		—
Cash and cash equivalents		31,178		19.9			—			—		31,178		—

	$	156,883		100.0	%		100.0	%	$	—	$	151,602	$	5,281

The August 25, 2012 actual asset allocation in the chart above includes an $8.7 million cash contribution made prior to August 25, 2012. Subsequent to August 25, 2012, this cash contribution was allocated to the pension plan investments in accordance with the targeted asset allocation.

In August 2011, the Company’s Investment Committee approved a revised asset allocation target for the investments held by the pension plan. Based on the revised asset allocation target, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets changed from 8.0% in fiscal 2011 to 7.5% for the year ending August 25, 2012. The August 27, 2011 actual asset allocation in the chart above includes a $28.3 million cash contribution made prior to August 27, 2011. Subsequent to August 27, 2011, this cash contribution was allocated to the pension plan investments to achieve the revised asset allocation target.

The change in fair value of Level 3 assets that use significant unobservable inputs is presented in the following table:


(in thousands)	Level 3 Assets
Beginning balance – August 27, 2011	$	5,281
Actual return on plan assets:
Assets held at August 25, 2012		55
Assets sold during the year		168
Sales and settlements		(3,100	)

Ending balance – August 25, 2012	$	2,404

The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	241,645		$	211,536
Interest cost		12,214			11,135
Actuarial losses		56,749			23,746
Benefits paid		(5,402	)		(4,772	)

Benefit obligations at end of year	$	305,206		$	241,645

Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	156,883		$	117,243
Actual return on plan assets		14,505			10,336
Employer contributions		15,423			34,076
Benefits paid		(5,402	)		(4,772	)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	181,409		$	156,883

Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:
Current liabilities	$	(30	)	$	(27	)
Long-term liabilities		(123,767	)		(84,736	)

Net amount recognized	$	(123,797	)	$	(84,763	)

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	$	(154,678	)	$	(106,972	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(154,678	)	$	(106,972	)

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year’s Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	$	(14,721	)	$	(9,795	)

Amount recognized	$	(14,721	)	$	(9,795	)

Net periodic benefit expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Interest cost	$	12,214		$	11,135		$	11,315
Expected return on plan assets		(11,718	)		(9,326	)		(9,045	)
Amortization of prior service cost		—			—			—
Recognized net actuarial losses		9,795			9,405			8,135

Net periodic benefit expense	$	10,291		$	11,214		$	10,405

The actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation include the following:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Weighted average discount rate		3.90	%		5.13	%		5.25	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.50	%		8.00	%		8.00	%

As the plan benefits are frozen, increases in future compensation levels no longer impact the calculation and there is no service cost. The discount rate is determined as of the measurement date and is based on the calculated yield of a portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds with cash flows that generally match the Company’s expected benefit payments in future years. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the historical relationships between the investment classes and the capital markets, updated for current conditions.

The Company makes annual contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Company contributed $15.4 million to the plans in fiscal 2012, $34.1 million to the plans in fiscal 2011 and $12 thousand to the plans in fiscal 2010. The Company expects to contribute approximately $9 million to the plans in fiscal 2013; however, a change to the expected cash funding may be impacted by a change in interest rates or a change in the actual or expected return on plan assets.

Based on current assumptions about future events, benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows for each of the following fiscal years. Actual benefit payments may vary significantly from the following estimates:


(in thousands)	Benefit Payments
2013	$	7,438
2014		8,182
2015		8,867
2016		9,583
2017		10,164
2018 – 2022		60,567

The Company has a 401(k) plan that covers all domestic employees who meet the plan’s participation requirements. The plan features include Company matching contributions, immediate 100% vesting of Company contributions and a savings option up to 25% of qualified earnings. The Company makes matching contributions, per pay period, up to a specified percentage of employees’ contributions as approved by the Board. The Company made matching contributions to employee accounts in connection with the 401(k) plan of $14.4 million in fiscal 2012, $13.3 million in fiscal 2011 and $11.7 million in fiscal 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 20, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

M - Leases

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

M - Leases

Note M – Leases

The Company leases some of its retail stores, distribution centers, facilities, land and equipment, including vehicles. Other than vehicle leases, most of the leases are operating leases, which include renewal options made at the Company’s election, options to purchase and provisions for percentage rent based on sales. Rental expense was $229.4 million in fiscal 2012, $213.8 million in fiscal 2011, and $195.6 million in fiscal 2010. Percentage rentals were insignificant.

The Company has a fleet of vehicles used for delivery to its commercial customers and stores and travel for members of field management. The majority of these vehicles are held under capital lease. At August 25, 2012, the Company had capital lease assets of $104.2 million, net of accumulated amortization of $36.4 million, and capital lease obligations of $102.3 million, of which $29.8 million is classified as Accrued expenses and other as it represents the current portion of these obligations. At August 27, 2011, the Company had capital lease assets of $86.6 million, net of accumulated amortization of $30.2 million, and capital lease obligations of $86.7 million, of which $25.3 million was classified as Accrued expenses and other.

The Company records rent for all operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods and the period of time prior to the lease term that the Company is in possession of the leased space for the purpose of installing leasehold improvements. Differences between recorded rent expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability in Accrued expenses and other and Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the terms of the lease. The deferred rent approximated $86.9 million on August 25, 2012, and $77.6 million on August 27, 2011.

Future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital leases were as follows at the end of fiscal 2012:


(in thousands)	Operating Leases		Capital Leases
2013	$	217,844	$	29,842
2014		209,300		28,859
2015		192,296		24,520
2016		174,844		17,181
2017		157,691		5,002
Thereafter		958,435		—

Total minimum payments required	$	1,910,410		105,404

Less: Interest				(3,148	)

Present value of minimum capital lease payments			$	102,256

In connection with the Company’s December 2001 sale of the TruckPro business, the Company subleased some properties to the purchaser for an initial term of not less than 20 years. The Company’s remaining aggregate rental obligation at August 25, 2012 of $17.3 million is included in the above table, but the obligation is entirely offset by the sublease rental agreement.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for lessee entity's leasing arrangements including, but not limited to, all of the following: (a.) The basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (b.) The existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (c.) Restrictions imposed by lease agreements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing.

+ References + Details

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies

Note N – Commitments and Contingencies

Construction commitments, primarily for new stores, totaled approximately $25.6 million at August 25, 2012.

The Company had $102.3 million in outstanding standby letters of credit and $33.1 million in surety bonds as of August 25, 2012, which all have expiration periods of less than one year. A substantial portion of the outstanding standby letters of credit (which are primarily renewed on an annual basis) and surety bonds are used to cover reimbursement obligations to our workers’ compensation carriers. There are no additional contingent liabilities associated with these instruments as the underlying liabilities are already reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The standby letters of credit and surety bonds arrangements have automatic renewal clauses.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Litigation

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Litigation

Note O – Litigation

In 2004, the Company acquired a store site in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey that had previously been the site of a gasoline service station and contained evidence of groundwater contamination. Upon acquisition, the Company voluntarily reported the groundwater contamination issue to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement providing for the remediation of the contamination associated with the property. The Company has conducted and paid for (at an immaterial cost to the Company) remediation of contamination on the property. The Company is also investigating, and will be addressing, potential vapor intrusion impacts in downgradient residences and businesses. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has indicated that it will assert that the Company is liable for the downgradient impacts under a joint and severable liability theory, and the Company intends to contest any such assertions due to the existence of other sources of contamination in the area of the property. Pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement, upon completion of all remediation required by the agreement, the Company believes it should be eligible to be reimbursed up to 75 percent of qualified remediation costs by the State of New Jersey. The Company has asked the state for clarification that the agreement applies to off-site work, and the state is considering the request. Although the aggregate amount of additional costs that the Company may incur pursuant to the remediation cannot currently be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that fulfillment of its obligations under the agreement or otherwise will result in costs that are material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried employees who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. The Company does not currently believe that, either individually or in the aggregate, these matters will result in liabilities material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

P - Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

P - Segment Reporting

Note P – Segment Reporting

The Company’s two operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts and Mexico) have been aggregated as one reportable segment: Auto Parts Stores. The criteria the Company used to identify the reportable segment are primarily the nature of the products the Company sells and the operating results that are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the business units and to assess performance. The accounting policies of the Company’s reportable segment are the same as those described in Note A.

The Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 5,006 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products.

The “Other” category reflects business activities that are not separately reportable, including ALLDATA which produces, sells and maintains diagnostic and repair information software used in the automotive repair industry, and e-Commerce, which includes direct sales to customers through www.autozone.com.

The Company evaluates its reportable segment primarily on the basis of net sales and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit.

The following table shows segment results for the following fiscal years:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Net Sales:
Auto Parts Stores	$	8,422,559		$	7,906,692		$	7,213,753
Other		181,304			166,281			148,865

Total	$	8,603,863		$	8,072,973		$	7,362,618

Segment Profit:
Auto Parts Stores	$	4,292,474		$	3,989,852		$	3,591,464
Other		139,562			129,611			120,280

Gross profit		4,432,036			4,119,463			3,711,744
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(2,803,145	)		(2,624,660	)		(2,392,330	)
Interest expense, net		(175,905	)		(170,557	)		(158,909	)

Income before income taxes	$	1,452,986		$	1,324,246		$	1,160,505

Segment Assets:
Auto Parts Stores	$	6,214,688		$	5,827,285		$	5,531,955
Other		50,951			42,317			39,639

Total	$	6,265,639		$	5,869,602		$	5,571,594

Capital Expenditures:
Auto Parts Stores	$	364,361		$	316,074		$	307,725
Other		13,693			5,530			7,675

Total	$	378,054		$	321,604		$	315,400

Auto Parts Stores Sales by Product Grouping:
Failure	$	3,793,963		$	3,530,497		$	3,145,528
Maintenance items		3,196,807			3,051,672			2,792,610
Discretionary		1,431,789			1,324,523			1,275,615

Auto Parts Stores net sales	$	8,422,559		$	7,906,692		$	7,213,753

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Quarterly Summary

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Quarterly Summary

Note Q – Quarterly Summary ⁽¹⁾

(Unaudited)


	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 19, 2011		February 11, 2012		May 5, 2012		August 25, 2012⁽²⁾
Net sales	$	1,924,341	$	1,804,069	$	2,111,866	$	2,763,585
Gross profit		983,627		926,215		1,089,799		1,432,394
Operating profit		340,934		300,651		427,250		560,056
Income before income taxes		301,840		261,728		387,507		501,911
Net income		191,125		166,930		248,586		323,733
Basic earnings per share		4.79		4.25		6.43		8.65
Diluted earnings per share		4.68		4.15		6.28		8.46


	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 20, 2010		February 12, 2011		May 7, 2011		August 27, 2011⁽²⁾
Net sales	$	1,791,662	$	1,660,946	$	1,978,369	$	2,641,996
Gross profit		907,748		845,611		1,013,530		1,352,574
Operating profit		306,121		271,748		392,925		524,010
Income before income taxes		268,868		232,172		353,009		470,197
Net income		172,076		148,056		227,373		301,469
Basic earnings per share		3.85		3.41		5.42		7.35
Diluted earnings per share		3.77		3.34		5.29		7.18

(1)

The sum of quarterly amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported due to rounding. In addition, the earnings per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter while the full year is based on the annual weighted average shares outstanding.

(2)

The fourth quarter for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 are based on a 16-week period. All other quarters presented are based on a 12-week period.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

+ References + Details

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Business

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year: The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the last Saturday in August. Each of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 represented 52 weeks.

Basis of Presentation

Use of Estimates

Cash Equivalents

Accounts Receivable

Merchandise Inventories

Marketable Securities

Property and Equipment

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Foreign Currency

Self-Insurance Reserves

Deferred Rent

Financial Instruments

Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs

Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: The following illustrates the primary costs classified in each major expense category:

Cost of Sales

•

Total cost of merchandise sold, including:

•

Freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from the Company’s vendors to the distribution centers and to the retail stores;

•

Vendor allowances that are not reimbursements for specific, incremental and identifiable costs;

•

Costs associated with operating the Company’s supply chain, including payroll and benefit costs, warehouse occupancy costs, transportation costs and depreciation; and

•

Inventory shrinkage

Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

•

Payroll and benefit costs for store and store support employees;

•

Occupancy costs of store and store support facilities;

•

Depreciation and amortization related to retail and store support assets;

•

Transportation costs associated with commercial and hub deliveries;

•

Advertising;

•

Self insurance costs; and

•

Other administrative costs, such as credit card transaction fees, supplies, and travel and lodging

Warranty Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs

Pre-opening Expenses

Pre-opening Expenses: Pre-opening expenses, which consist primarily of payroll and occupancy costs, are expensed as incurred.

Earnings per Share

Share-Based Payments

Risk and Uncertainties

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of ASC Topic 820 Policy

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted Related Share-Based Compensation Expense

expense. The following table presents the weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted and the related share-based compensation expense:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Expected price volatility		28	%		31	%		31	%
Risk-free interest rates		0.7	%		1.0	%		1.8	%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.4			4.3			4.3
Forfeiture rate		10	%		10	%		10	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%		0	%

Stock Option Activity

The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended August 25, 2012:


	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding – August 27, 2011		2,630,194		$	132.32
Granted		407,130			330.12
Exercised		(712,524	)		107.84
Canceled		(62,121	)		227.53

Outstanding – August 25, 2012		2,262,679			173.01		6.40	$	435,062

Exercisable		1,236,652			120.55		5.03		302,402

Expected to vest		1,026,027			236.25		8.05		118,969

Available for future grants		2,420,546

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which equity-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares (or other type of equity) granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from equity-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from equity-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate.

+ References + Details

Accrued Expenses and Other (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011
Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion)	$	63,484	$	55,896
Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits		151,669		151,419
Property, sales, and other taxes		97,542		89,675
Accrued interest		39,220		33,811
Accrued gift cards		29,060		27,406
Accrued sales and warranty returns		17,276		16,269
Capital lease obligations		29,842		25,296
Other		49,992		49,555

	$	478,085	$	449,327

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Provision for Income Tax Expense

The provision for income tax expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Current:
Federal	$	449,670		$	391,132		$	397,062
State		47,386			39,473			34,155

		497,056			430,605			431,217
Deferred:
Federal		28,379			49,698			(3,831	)
State		(2,822	)		(5,031	)		(5,192	)

		25,557			44,667			(9,023	)

Income tax expense	$	522,613		$	475,272		$	422,194

Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes is as follows:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net		2.0	%		1.7	%		1.6	%
Other		(1.0	%)		(0.8	%)		(0.2	%)

Effective tax rate		36.0	%		35.9	%		36.4	%

Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$	36,605		$	31,772
Insurance reserves		18,185			17,542
Accrued benefits		63,320			61,436
Pension		43,904			30,967
Other		41,658			39,878

Total deferred tax assets		203,672			181,595
Less: Valuation allowances		(9,532	)		(7,973	)

Net deferred tax assets		194,140			173,622
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(67,480	)		(64,873	)
Inventory		(244,414	)		(220,234	)
Other		(31,437	)		(44,303	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(343,331	)		(329,410	)

Net deferred tax liability	$	(149,191	)	$	(155,788	)

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Beginning balance	$	29,906		$	38,554
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		6,869			6,205
Additions for tax positions of prior years		44			11,787
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(1,687	)		(20,998	)
Reductions due to settlements		(4,586	)		(3,829	)
Reductions due to statute of limitations		(2,831	)		(1,813	)

Ending balance	$	27,715		$	29,906

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of tax positions taken in the tax returns filed or to be filed for which it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities (i.e., uncertain tax positions) and other types of income tax contingencies, including: (1) the policy on classification of interest and penalties; (2) a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of the period; the total amount(s) of: (3) unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, and (4) interest and penalties recognized in each of the income statement and balance sheet; (5) for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts unrecognized will significantly change within 12 months of the reporting date the: (i) nature of the uncertainty, (ii) nature of the event that could occur that would cause the change, and (iii) an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change or a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made; and (6) a description of tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:


	August 25, 2012
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	22,515	$	—		$	—	$	22,515
Other long-term assets		40,424		13,275			—		53,699

	$	62,939	$	13,275		$	—	$	76,214

Accrued expenses and other	$	—	$	(4,915	)	$	—	$	(4,915	)


	August 27, 2011
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	11,872	$	—	$	—	$	11,872
Other long-term assets		55,390		5,869		—		61,259

	$	67,262	$	5,869	$	—	$	73,131

- Definition

Tabular disclosure related to assets and liabilities by class, including financial instruments measured at fair value that are classified in shareholders' equity, if any, that are measured at fair value on a recurring and/or nonrecurring basis in periods after initial recognition. Disclosures include, but are not limited to: (a) the fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements and (b) the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized in their entirety (levels 1, 2, 3) as well as transfers between levels 1 and 2.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19279-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a,b,bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=SL7498348-110258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19190-110258

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 6
-Footnote 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Marketable Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities

recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:


	August 25, 2012
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,215	$	307	$	—		$	26,522
Government bonds		20,790		117		(1	)		20,906
Mortgage-backed securities		4,369		17		(19	)		4,367
Asset-backed securities and other		24,299		120		—			24,419

	$	75,673	$	561	$	(20	)	$	76,214


	August 27, 2011
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,261	$	229	$	(45	)	$	26,445
Government bonds		29,464		343		—			29,807
Mortgage-backed securities		4,291		55		—			4,346
Asset-backed securities and other		12,377		156		—			12,533

	$	72,393	$	783	$	(45	)	$	73,131

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 19, 20, 21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	Pension Liability		Foreign Currency ⁽¹⁾			Net Unrealized Gain on Securities			Derivatives		Total
Balance at August 28, 2010	$	59,359	$	44,748		$	(650	)	$	3,011	$	106,468
Fiscal 2011 activity		17,346		(8,347	)		171			4,053		13,223

Balance at August 27, 2011		76,705		36,401			(479	)		7,064		119,691
Fiscal 2012 activity		17,262		13,866			128			1,066		32,322

Balance at August 25, 2012	$	93,967	$	50,267		$	(351	)	$	8,130	$	152,013

I - Financing (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Schedule of Long-Term Debt

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%	$	300,000	$	300,000
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65%		200,000		200,000
6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63%		500,000		500,000
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%		500,000		500,000
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%		300,000		300,000
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09%		200,000		200,000
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%		250,000		250,000
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43%		500,000		500,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85%		500,000		—
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at August 25, 2012, and 0.35% at August 27, 2011		468,302		567,600

	$	3,718,302	$	3,317,600

Scheduled Maturities of Long-Term Debt

to its borrowing arrangements. All of the Company’s debt is unsecured. Scheduled maturities of long-term debt are as follows:


(in thousands)	Scheduled Maturities
2013	$	968,302
2014		500,000
2015		500,000
2016		500,000
2017		—
Thereafter		1,250,000

	$	3,718,302

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Interest Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Interest expense	$	178,547		$	173,674		$	162,628
Interest income		(1,397	)		(2,058	)		(2,626	)
Capitalized interest		(1,245	)		(1,059	)		(1,093	)

	$	175,905		$	170,557		$	158,909

K - Stock Repurchase Program (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Summarize Company's Share Repurchase Activity

The Company’s share repurchase activity consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012		August 27, 2011		August 28, 2010
Amount	$	1,362,869	$	1,466,802	$	1,123,655
Shares		3,795		5,598		6,376

Pension and Savings Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Weighted Average Asset Allocation for Pension Plan Assets

The fair values of investments by level and asset category and the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans at the measurement date are presented in the following table:


	August 25, 2012
	Fair Value		Asset Allocation						Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Actual			Target			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
U.S. equities	$	51,101		28.2	%		30.0	%	$	—	$	51,101	$	—
International equities		31,767		17.5			20.0			—		31,767		—
Emerging equities		16,471		9.1			10.0			—		16,471		—
High yield equities		17,378		9.6			10.0			—		17,378		—
Alternative investments		2,404		1.3			—			—		—		2,404
Fixed income securities		47,667		26.3			30.0			—		47,667		—
Cash and cash equivalents		14,621		8.0			—			—		14,621		—

	$	181,409		100.0	%		100.0	%	$	—	$	179,005	$	2,404


	August 27, 2011
	Fair Value		Asset Allocation						Fair Value Hierarchy
(in thousands)	Fair Value		Actual			Target			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
U.S. equities	$	40,092		25.5	%		30.0	%	$	—	$	40,092	$	—
International equities		28,378		18.1			20.0			—		28,378		—
Emerging equities		12,086		7.7			10.0			—		12,086		—
High yield equities		12,547		8.0			10.0			—		12,547		—
Alternative investments		2,807		1.8			—			—		—		2,807
Real estate		2,474		1.6			—			—		—		2,474
Fixed income securities		27,321		17.4			30.0			—		27,321		—
Cash and cash equivalents		31,178		19.9			—			—		31,178		—

	$	156,883		100.0	%		100.0	%	$	—	$	151,602	$	5,281

Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Assets

The change in fair value of Level 3 assets that use significant unobservable inputs is presented in the following table:


(in thousands)	Level 3 Assets
Beginning balance – August 27, 2011	$	5,281
Actual return on plan assets:
Assets held at August 25, 2012		55
Assets sold during the year		168
Sales and settlements		(3,100	)

Ending balance – August 25, 2012	$	2,404

The Plans' Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets

The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:


(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	241,645		$	211,536
Interest cost		12,214			11,135
Actuarial losses		56,749			23,746
Benefits paid		(5,402	)		(4,772	)

Benefit obligations at end of year	$	305,206		$	241,645

Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	156,883		$	117,243
Actual return on plan assets		14,505			10,336
Employer contributions		15,423			34,076
Benefits paid		(5,402	)		(4,772	)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	181,409		$	156,883

Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:
Current liabilities	$	(30	)	$	(27	)
Long-term liabilities		(123,767	)		(84,736	)

Net amount recognized	$	(123,797	)	$	(84,763	)

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	$	(154,678	)	$	(106,972	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(154,678	)	$	(106,972	)

Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year’s Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	$	(14,721	)	$	(9,795	)

Amount recognized	$	(14,721	)	$	(9,795	)

Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)

Net periodic benefit expense consisted of the following:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Interest cost	$	12,214		$	11,135		$	11,315
Expected return on plan assets		(11,718	)		(9,326	)		(9,045	)
Amortization of prior service cost		—			—			—
Recognized net actuarial losses		9,795			9,405			8,135

Net periodic benefit expense	$	10,291		$	11,214		$	10,405

Actuarial Assumptions Used in Determining Projected Benefit Obligation

The actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation include the following:


	Year Ended
	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Weighted average discount rate		3.90	%		5.13	%		5.25	%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets		7.50	%		8.00	%		8.00	%

Benefit Payments are Expected to be Paid as Follows


(in thousands)	Benefit Payments
2013	$	7,438
2014		8,182
2015		8,867
2016		9,583
2017		10,164
2018 – 2022		60,567

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of one or more of the entity's defined benefit pension plans or one or more other defined benefit postretirement plans, separately for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans including the entity's schedule of fair value of plan assets for defined benefit or other postretirement plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e2439-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e2417-114920

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21916443&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 4, 7, 16, 20, 21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

M - Leases (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Capital Leases

Future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital leases were as follows at the end of fiscal 2012:


(in thousands)	Operating Leases		Capital Leases
2013	$	217,844	$	29,842
2014		209,300		28,859
2015		192,296		24,520
2016		174,844		17,181
2017		157,691		5,002
Thereafter		958,435		—

Total minimum payments required	$	1,910,410		105,404

Less: Interest				(3,148	)

Present value of minimum capital lease payments			$	102,256

P - Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Segment Results

The following table shows segment results for the following fiscal years:


	Year Ended
(in thousands)	August 25, 2012			August 27, 2011			August 28, 2010
Net Sales:
Auto Parts Stores	$	8,422,559		$	7,906,692		$	7,213,753
Other		181,304			166,281			148,865

Total	$	8,603,863		$	8,072,973		$	7,362,618

Segment Profit:
Auto Parts Stores	$	4,292,474		$	3,989,852		$	3,591,464
Other		139,562			129,611			120,280

Gross profit		4,432,036			4,119,463			3,711,744
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(2,803,145	)		(2,624,660	)		(2,392,330	)
Interest expense, net		(175,905	)		(170,557	)		(158,909	)

Income before income taxes	$	1,452,986		$	1,324,246		$	1,160,505

Segment Assets:
Auto Parts Stores	$	6,214,688		$	5,827,285		$	5,531,955
Other		50,951			42,317			39,639

Total	$	6,265,639		$	5,869,602		$	5,571,594

Capital Expenditures:
Auto Parts Stores	$	364,361		$	316,074		$	307,725
Other		13,693			5,530			7,675

Total	$	378,054		$	321,604		$	315,400

Auto Parts Stores Sales by Product Grouping:
Failure	$	3,793,963		$	3,530,497		$	3,145,528
Maintenance items		3,196,807			3,051,672			2,792,610
Discretionary		1,431,789			1,324,523			1,275,615

Auto Parts Stores net sales	$	8,422,559		$	7,906,692		$	7,213,753

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References + Details

Quarterly Summary (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Quarterly Summary


	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 19, 2011		February 11, 2012		May 5, 2012		August 25, 2012⁽²⁾
Net sales	$	1,924,341	$	1,804,069	$	2,111,866	$	2,763,585
Gross profit		983,627		926,215		1,089,799		1,432,394
Operating profit		340,934		300,651		427,250		560,056
Income before income taxes		301,840		261,728		387,507		501,911
Net income		191,125		166,930		248,586		323,733
Basic earnings per share		4.79		4.25		6.43		8.65
Diluted earnings per share		4.68		4.15		6.28		8.46


	Twelve Weeks Ended						Sixteen Weeks Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	November 20, 2010		February 12, 2011		May 7, 2011		August 27, 2011⁽²⁾
Net sales	$	1,791,662	$	1,660,946	$	1,978,369	$	2,641,996
Gross profit		907,748		845,611		1,013,530		1,352,574
Operating profit		306,121		271,748		392,925		524,010
Income before income taxes		268,868		232,172		353,009		470,197
Net income		172,076		148,056		227,373		301,469
Basic earnings per share		3.85		3.41		5.42		7.35
Diluted earnings per share		3.77		3.34		5.29		7.18

(1)

(2)

The fourth quarter for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 are based on a 16-week period. All other quarters presented are based on a 12-week period.

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Store shares	Aug. 27, 2011 USD ($) shares	Aug. 28, 2010 USD ($) shares
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of domestic stores in United States and Puerto Rico \| Store	4,685
Number of stores \| Store	5,006
Number of stores with commercial sales program \| Store	3,053
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	$ 2,400	$ 2,100
Unrecorded adjustment for LIFO value in excess of replacement value	270,400	253,300
Impairment loss of long lived assets	0
Impairment loss of goodwill	0
Goodwill	302,645	302,645
Cumulative loss on currency translation recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	50,267	36,401
Deferred rent	$ 86,900	77,600
Measure of income tax benifit for uncertain income tax positions	More than 50%
Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds	$ 74,700	71,500	$ 65,500
Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense	$ 19,700	$ 23,200	$ 19,600
Limited warranty period, minimum period (Days)	30 days
Products accounted for total revenues	one class of similar products accounted for 10 percent of the Company's total revenues
Products accounted for total purchases	One vendor supplied more than 10 percent of the Company's total purchases
Mexico [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of stores \| Store	321
Stock Options [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of earnings per share \| shares	30,000
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maturity period of investments	90 days or less
Settlement term of credit and debit card transaction	Less than 5 days
Credit and debit card receivables included within cash and cash equilants	$ 34,000	$ 32,500
Buildings [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	40 years
Buildings [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	50 years
Building Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	5 years
Building Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	15 years
Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	3 years
Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum useful lives	10 years

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense related to stock options and share purchase plans	$ 33,400,000	$ 26,600,000	$ 19,100,000
Share-based compensation expense for unvested awards not yet recognized in earnings	$ 25,600,000
Weighted average period recognition of share-based compensation expense for unvested awards	2 years 6 months
Term of options from grant date	10 years or 10 years and one day
Exercise period of vested options after death	1 year
Restricted stock units granted under Director Compensation Program, description	Under the 2011 Program, restricted stock units are granted the first day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted stock units granted each quarter is determined by dividing one-fourth of the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the grant date.
Maximum limit of the fees a Director can elect to receive in stock	100.00%
Accrued Director fees	$ 6,700,000	$ 5,900,000
Accrued Director fees in shares	18,241	19,709
Number of shares for which each new non-employee director receives an option to purchase	3,000
Outstanding options	2,262,679	2,630,194
Common stock reserved for future issuance	252,972
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted	$ 94.71	$ 58.57	$ 40.75
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 176,500,000	$ 100,000,000	$ 64,800,000
Total fair value of options vested	32,600,000	20,700,000	20,700,000
Expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives	$ 1,500,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,000,000
Percent of market price at which employees permitted to purchase through payroll deductions	85.00%
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee	$ 15,000
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee, Percent of Compensation	10.00%
Shares sold to employees under employee stock purchase plan	19,403	21,608	26,620
Shares purchased from employees at fair value	24,113	30,864	30,617
Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options	104,679	125,614
Common stock reserved for future issuance	0
Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for future issuance	252,400
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee, Percent of Compensation	25.00%
Shares sold to employees under employee stock purchase plan	3,937	1,719	1,483
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum exercise period of vested options after service period	90 days
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise period of vested options after service period	30 days

Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted Related Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected price volatility	28.00%	31.00%	31.00%
Risk-free interest rates	0.70%	1.00%	1.80%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)	5 years 4 months 24 days	4 years 3 months 18 days	4 years 3 months 18 days
Forfeiture rate	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stock Option Activity (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Stock Option Activity (Detail)	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance, Number of Shares	2,630,194
Granted, Number of Shares	407,130
Exercised, Number of Shares	(712,524)
Canceled, Number of Shares	(62,121)
Outstanding, ending balance, Number of Shares	2,262,679
Exercisable, Number of Shares	1,236,652
Expected to vest, Number of Shares	1,026,027
Available for future grants, Number of Shares	2,420,546
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 132.32
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	330.12
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	107.84
Canceled, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	227.53
Outstanding, ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	173.01
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	120.55
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 236.25
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Outstanding , Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 4 months 24 days
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 11 days
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $	$ 435,062
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $	302,402
Expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value \| $	$ 118,969

Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion)	$ 63,484	$ 55,896
Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits	151,669	151,419
Property, sales, and other taxes	97,542	89,675
Accrued interest	39,220	33,811
Accrued gift cards	29,060	27,406
Accrued sales and warranty returns	17,276	16,269
Capital lease obligations	29,842	25,296
Other	49,992	49,555
Total	$ 478,085	$ 449,327

Accrued Expenses and Other - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
Workers' compensation and property [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	$ 1.5
Employee health [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	0.5
General, products liability, and vehicle [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	$ 1.0

Provision for Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Current:
Federal	$ 449,670	$ 391,132	$ 397,062
State	47,386	39,473	34,155
Total	497,056	430,605	431,217
Deferred:
Federal	28,379	49,698	(3,831)
State	(2,822)	(5,031)	(5,192)
Total	25,557	44,667	(9,023)
Income tax expense	$ 522,613	$ 475,272	$ 422,194

- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted federal tax law to the domestic taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

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- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts of income taxes paid or payable (or refundable) for the period for all income tax obligations as determined by applying the provisions of relevant enacted tax laws to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

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- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted state and local tax law to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

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- Definition

The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) during the period in the entity's domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the federally enacted tax law.

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The component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.

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- Definition

The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) in the entity's state and local deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the applicable enacted tax laws.

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 8, 16, 17, 289
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 6
-Section I
-Subsection 7

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

+ Details

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Deferred taxes are not provided for temporary differences	$ 195.8	$ 140.2
Deferred tax assets from federal tax operating losses	7.8	8.0
Deferred tax assets from state tax NOLs	2.1	1.1
Deferred tax assets from non-U.S. NOLs	$ 2.4	1.5
Expiration date of federal state and non-U.S. NOLs	Between fiscal 2013 and 2031
Valuation allowance from certain federal and state NOLs	$ 9.1	8.0
Deferred tax assets from federal state and Non-U.S. income tax carryforwards	$ 24.3	21.2
Expiration date of tax credit carryforwards	Fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2026
Tax credit carryforward, valuation allowances	$ 0.4
Unrecognized tax benefits , if recognized would reduce effective tax rate, amount	18.1
Accrued for payment of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits	4.1	5.2
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits that could be reduce over next twelve months	6.0
Federal tax [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	22.2	22.8
State tax [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	46.6	22.5
Non-U.S. [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 7.7	$ 5.1

Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail)	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net	2.00%	1.70%	1.60%
Other	(1.00%)	(0.80%)	(0.20%)
Effective tax rate	36.00%	35.90%	36.40%

Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$ 36,605	$ 31,772
Insurance reserves	18,185	17,542
Accrued benefits	63,320	61,436
Pension	43,904	30,967
Other	41,658	39,878
Total deferred tax assets	203,672	181,595
Less: Valuation allowances	(9,532)	(7,973)
Net deferred tax assets	194,140	173,622
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(67,480)	(64,873)
Inventory	(244,414)	(220,234)
Other	(31,437)	(44,303)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(343,331)	(329,410)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (149,191)	$ (155,788)

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Beginning balance	$ 29,906	$ 38,554
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	6,869	6,205
Additions for tax positions of prior years	44	11,787
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(1,687)	(20,998)
Reductions due to settlements	(4,586)	(3,829)
Reductions due to statute of limitations	(2,831)	(1,813)
Ending balance	$ 27,715	$ 29,906

Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 22,500
Other long-term assets	53,700
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	22,515	$ 11,872
Other long-term assets	53,699	61,259
Total	76,214	73,131
Accrued expenses and other	(4,915)
Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	22,515	11,872
Other long-term assets	40,424	55,390
Total	62,939	67,262
Accrued expenses and other
Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets
Other long-term assets	13,275	5,869
Total	13,275	5,869
Accrued expenses and other	(4,915)
Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets
Other long-term assets
Total
Accrued expenses and other

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities and intended be sold or mature one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 13, 17
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15C
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Section A
-Paragraph 4, 5
-Chapter 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading and which are intended to be sold or mature more than one year from the balance sheet date or operating cycle, if longer. Such securities are reported at fair value; unrealized gains (losses) related to Available-for-sale Securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income), unless the Available-for-sale security is designated as a hedge or is determined to have had an other than temporary decline in fair value below its amortized cost basis. All or a portion of the unrealized holding gain (loss) of an Available-for-sale security that is designated as being hedged in a fair value hedge is recognized in earnings during the period of the hedge, as are other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for investments in equity securities and debt securities that an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. Other than temporary declines in fair value below the cost basis for debt securities categorized as Available-for-sale that an entity does not intend to sell and for which it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before the recovery of its amortized cost basis are bifurcated into credit losses and losses related to all other factors. Other than temporary declines in fair value below cost basis related to credit losses are recognized in earnings, and losses related to all other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26626-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 17
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15C
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15E
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
Short-term marketable securities	$ 22.5
Long term marketable securities	53.7
Cash flow hedging [Member]
Cash flow hedging instruments	$ 4.9

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities and intended be sold or mature one year or operating cycle, if longer.

Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 75,673	$ 72,393
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	561	783
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(20)	(45)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	76,214	73,131
Corporate securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	26,215	26,261
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	307	229
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(45)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	26,522	26,445
Government bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	20,790	29,464
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	117	343
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	20,906	29,807
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,369	4,291
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	17	55
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(19)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	4,367	4,346
Asset-backed securities and other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,299	12,377
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	120	156
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$ 24,419	$ 12,533

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ References + Details

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Security
Marketable Securities [Line Items]
Available for sale securities debt maturity period range	Less than one year to approximately 3 years
Number of securities held in unrealized loss position \| Security	6
Held to maturity securities in continuous unrealized loss position amount \| $	$ 20

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Aug. 27, 2011

Aug. 28, 2010

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items]

Pension Liability Adjustments, net of taxes, Beginning balance

$ 76,705

$ 59,359

Pension liability adjustments, Fiscal year

^[1]

17,262

17,346

$ 8,133

Pension Liability Adjustments, net of taxes, Ending balance

93,967

76,705

59,359

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning balance

^[2]

44,748

Foreign currency translation adjustment, Fiscal year

13,866

^[2]

(8,347)

^[2]

(705)

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance

^[2]

50,267

36,401

Unrealized Loss (Gain) on Marketable Securities, net of taxes, Beginning Balance

(479)

(650)

Unrealized gain adjustment on marketable securities net of taxes, Fiscal year

128

171

Unrealized Loss (Gain) on Marketable Securities, net of taxes, Ending Balance

(351)

(479)

(650)

Net Derivative Activity, net of taxes, Beginning Balance

7,064

3,011

Net Derivative Activity, net of taxes, Fiscal year

^[3]

(1,066)

(4,053)

(6,890)

Net Derivative Activity, net of taxes, Ending Balance

8,130

7,064

3,011

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning balance

119,691

106,468

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Fiscal year

32,322

13,223

14,422

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Ending balance

$ 152,013

$ 119,691

$ 106,468

[1]	(1) Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $29,744 in 2012, $3,998 in 2011, and $5,504 in 2010
[2]	Foreign currency is not shown net of deferred tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
[3]	(3) Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $4,800 in 2012, $0 in 2011, and $3,700 in 2010

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 25, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) DerivativeInstrument	Aug. 27, 2011 USD ($) FSS
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items]
Number of treasury rate locks \| DerivativeInstrument		4
Net loss on derivatives	$ 2.8		$ 5.4
Liability balance of treasury rate locks outstanding		$ 4.9
Net derivative losses amortized into interest expense		1.9
Number of forward starting swaps \| FSS			3
Derivatives being amortized into interest expense		$ 1.9	$ 1.4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Derivative DerivativeInstrument	May 05, 2012 USD ($) Derivative	Nov. 20, 2010 USD ($) Derivative	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Derivative DerivativeInstrument	Aug. 27, 2011 USD ($) FSS
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of treasury rate locks \| DerivativeInstrument		4			4
Expiration date of cash flow hedge agreement		November 1, 2012
Senior notes issued during period					$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Number of forward starting swaps \| FSS						3
Net derivative losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss					8,000,000
Net derivative losses amortized into interest expense					1,900,000	$ 1,400,000
Net derivative loss expected to be reclassified over next 12 months		$ 904,000			$ 904,000
Losses On Three Expired Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Losses recognized in OCI upon expiration of swaps	$ 11,700,000
Treasury rate locks [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of treasury rate locks \| Derivative		2	2		2
Expiration date of cash flow hedge agreement			April 20, 2012
Derivative instrument, variable interest rate years		10 years	10 years
Ineffective portion recognized of forward starting swaps		$ 0	$ 0
Senior notes issued during period			$ 500,000,000
Derivative description of terms			The locks were benchmarked based on the 10-year U.S. treasury notes.
Treasury rate locks [Member] \| Loss on two expired treasury rate locks [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Losses recognized in OCI upon expiration of swaps			$ 2,800,000
Treasury Rate Lock, One [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges		$ 100,000,000	$ 300,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR		2.07%	2.09%		2.07%
Treasury Rate Lock, Two [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges		$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR		1.92%	2.07%		1.92%
Forward Starting Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Expiration date of cash flow hedge agreement				November 2010
Ineffective portion recognized of forward starting swaps				$ 0
Derivative description of terms				The swaps were benchmarked based on the 3-month London InterBank Offered Rate
Number of forward starting swaps \| Derivative				3
Senior notes debt issuance				$ 500,000,000
Derivative instrument, variable interest rate months of LIBOR				3 months
Forward Starting Swap, One [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges				$ 150,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR				3.15%
Forward Starting Swap, Two [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges				$ 150,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR				3.13%
Forward Starting Swap, Three [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges				$ 100,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR				2.57%

Components of Company's of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	May 05, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 3,718,302		$ 3,317,600
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 300,000		$ 300,000
Stated interest rate percentage	5.875%		5.875%
Effective interest rate	6.33%		6.33%
Debt instrument, due date	October 2012		October 2012
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 200,000		$ 200,000
Stated interest rate percentage	4.375%		4.375%
Effective interest rate	5.65%		5.65%
Debt instrument, due date	June 2013		June 2013
6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	6.50%		6.50%
Effective interest rate	6.63%		6.63%
Debt instrument, due date	January 2014		January 2014
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	5.75%		5.75%
Effective interest rate	5.89%		5.89%
Debt instrument, due date	January 2015		January 2015
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 300,000		$ 300,000
Stated interest rate percentage	5.50%		5.50%
Effective interest rate	4.86%		4.86%
Debt instrument, due date	November 2015		November 2015
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 200,000		$ 200,000
Stated interest rate percentage	6.95%		6.95%
Effective interest rate	7.09%		7.09%
Debt instrument, due date	June 2016		June 2016
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 250,000		$ 250,000
Stated interest rate percentage	7.125%		7.125%
Effective interest rate	7.28%		7.28%
Debt instrument, due date	August 2018		August 2018
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 500,000		$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	4.00%		4.00%
Effective interest rate	4.43%		4.43%
Debt instrument, due date	November 2020		November 2020
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
Effective interest rate	3.85%		3.85%
Debt instrument, due date	April 2022		April 2022
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at August 25, 2012, and 0.35% at August 27, 2011 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 468,302		$ 567,600
Weighted average interest rate of commercial paper	0.42%		0.35%

Financing - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Financing - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Month	Nov. 15, 2010 USD ($)	May 05, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 27, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 13, 2011 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	$ 996,600			$ 996,600
Amount available under credit facility	1,000,000			$ 1,000,000
Expiration of credit facility				September 2016	June 2013
Short-term borrowings	49,881			$ 49,881	$ 34,082
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity							$ 1,250,000
Line of credit facility covenant terms				The revolving credit facility agreement requires that the Company's consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.50:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. The Company's consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 25, 2012 was 4.58:1.
Proceeds from issuance of debt				$ 500,000	500,000
Fair value of the Company's debt	4,055,000			4,055,000	3,633,000
Excess (shortfall) of fair value of debt over (from) carrying value	$ 286,600			$ 286,600	$ 281,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	3.70%		3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	4.00%			4.00%	4.00%
4.750% Senior Notes due November 2010, effective interest rate of 4.17% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Payments of long term debt		$ 199,300
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at August 25, 2012, and 0.35% at August 27, 2011 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commercial paper borrowings, maturity period (in months) \| Month	12
Short-term borrowings	$ 45,100			$ 45,100
Interest rate on short-term borrowings	0.42%			0.42%
Peso denominated borrowings [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	$ 4,800			$ 4,800
Interest rate on short-term borrowings	4.57%			4.57%
Revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to expire in July 2012 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount available under credit facility							$ 800,000
Letters of credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	$ 200,000			$ 200,000		$ 100,000
Letter of credit outstanding	98,700			$ 98,700
Letter of credit facility expiration date				June 2013
Capital leases [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity	$ 175,000			$ 175,000
Interest accrual on foreign currency loans the basis points				Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the revolving credit facility, depending upon the Company's senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt rating.

Scheduled Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011
2013	$ 968,302
2014	500,000
2015	500,000
2016	500,000
2017
Thereafter	1,250,000
Long-term debt	$ 3,718,302	$ 3,317,600

Net Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Net Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Interest expense	$ 178,547	$ 173,674	$ 162,628
Interest income	(1,397)	(2,058)	(2,626)
Capitalized interest	(1,245)	(1,059)	(1,093)
Net interest expense	$ 175,905	$ 170,557	$ 158,909

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010	Mar. 07, 2012
Treasury stock acquired repurchase authorization	During 1998, the Company announced a program permitting the Company to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by the Board. The program was last amended on March 7, 2012 to increase the repurchase authorization to $11.90 billion from $11.15 billion. From January 1998 to August 25, 2012, the Company has repurchased a total of 131.1 million shares at an aggregate cost of $11.5 billion.
Stock Repurchased Authorized Value	$ 11,900,000			$ 11,150,000
Stock repurchased during period, shares	629,168
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (1,362,869)	$ (1,466,802)	$ (1,123,655)
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchased Authorized Value	12,650,000
Increase in authorized stock repurchased, value	750,000
Repurchase of Equity [Member]
Purchase of treasury stock	$ 234,600
Common Stock [Member]
Share of treasury stock retired	(4,929,000)	(6,577,000)	(8,504,000)
Treasury stock retired, cost method	$ (49)	$ (66)	$ (85)
Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Treasury stock retired, cost method	1,319,600	1,247,700
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Treasury stock retired, cost method	$ (72,512)	$ (82,150)	$ (85,657)
January 1998 to August 25, 2012 [Member]
Stock repurchased during period, shares	131,100,000
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (1,362,869)

Summarize Company's Share Repurchase Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Amount	$ 1,362,869	$ 1,466,802	$ 1,123,655
Shares	3,795	5,598	6,376

- Definition

Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

+ References + Details

Pension and Savings Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 27, 2011 USD ($)	Aug. 28, 2010 USD ($)
Number of consecutive years of highest compensation used to determine defined benefit pension plan benefits	5 years
Pension plan asset constituted in alternate investment strategies	Less than 2%
Hedge fund managers diversified over hedge strategies	16
Different hedge strategies	9
Cash contribution in asset allocation	$ 8,700	$ 28,300
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.50%	8.00%	8.00%
Annual contributions by the company to pension plans	$ 15,423	$ 34,076	$ 12
Expected contributions to the plan in fiscal 2013	$ 9,000
Percentage of company matching retirement savings plan contributions that vest immediately	100.00%
Percentage of savings option up to qualified earnings	25.00%
Annual Contribution by employer towards 401(k) Plan	$ 14,400	$ 13,300	$ 11,700

Weighted Average Asset Allocation for Pension Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 181,409	$ 156,883	$ 117,243
Asset Allocation Actual	100.00%	100.00%
Asset Allocation Target	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 51,101	$ 40,092
Asset Allocation Actual	28.20%	25.50%
Asset Allocation Target	30.00%	30.00%
International equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 31,767	$ 28,378
Asset Allocation Actual	17.50%	18.10%
Asset Allocation Target	20.00%	20.00%
Emerging equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 16,471	$ 12,086
Asset Allocation Actual	9.10%	7.70%
Asset Allocation Target	10.00%	10.00%
High yield equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 17,378	$ 12,547
Asset Allocation Actual	9.60%	8.00%
Asset Allocation Target	10.00%	10.00%
Alternative investments [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 2,404	$ 2,807
Asset Allocation Actual	1.30%	1.80%
Fixed income securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 47,667	$ 27,321
Asset Allocation Actual	26.30%	17.40%
Asset Allocation Target	30.00%	30.00%
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 14,621	$ 31,178
Asset Allocation Actual	8.00%	19.90%
Real estate [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value		$ 2,474
Asset Allocation Actual		1.60%
Level 1 [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| International equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| Emerging equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| High yield equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| Alternative investments [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| Fixed income securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 1 [Member] \| Real estate [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value
Level 2 [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	179,005	151,602
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	51,101	40,092
Level 2 [Member] \| International equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	31,767	28,378
Level 2 [Member] \| Emerging equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	16,471	12,086
Level 2 [Member] \| High yield equities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	17,378	12,547
Level 2 [Member] \| Fixed income securities [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	47,667	27,321
Level 2 [Member] \| Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	14,621	31,178
Level 3 [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	2,404	5,281
Level 3 [Member] \| Alternative investments [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value	$ 2,404	2,807
Level 3 [Member] \| Real estate [Member]
Asset Allocation Fair Value		$ 2,474

Change in Fair Value of Level 3 Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 156,883
Ending balance	181,409
Level 3 [Member]
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Beginning balance	5,281
Assets held	55
Assets sold during the year	168
Sales and settlements	(3,100)
Ending balance	$ 2,404

- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

+ References + Details

The Plans' Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 241,645	$ 211,536
Interest cost	12,214	11,135	$ 11,315
Actuarial losses	56,749	23,746
Benefits paid	(5,402)	(4,772)
Benefit obligations at end of year	305,206	241,645	211,536
Change in Plan Assets:
Beginning balance	156,883	117,243
Actual return on plan assets	14,505	10,336
Employer contributions	15,423	34,076	12
Benefits paid	(5,402)	(4,772)
Ending balance	181,409	156,883	$ 117,243
Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:
Current liabilities	(30)	(27)
Long-term liabilities	(123,767)	(84,736)
Net amount recognized	(123,797)	(84,763)
Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	(154,678)	(106,972)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(154,678)	(106,972)
Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year's Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	(14,721)	(9,795)
Amount recognized	$ (14,721)	$ (9,795)

Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Interest cost	$ 12,214	$ 11,135	$ 11,315
Expected return on plan assets	(11,718)	(9,326)	(9,045)
Amortization of prior service cost
Recognized net actuarial losses	9,795	9,405	8,135
Net periodic benefit expense	$ 10,291	$ 11,214	$ 10,405

- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 30
-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512136

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 60
-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512171

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (h)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References + Details

Actuarial Assumptions Used in Determining Projected Benefit Obligation (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Weighted average discount rate	3.90%	5.13%	5.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.50%	8.00%	8.00%

Benefit Payments are Expected to be Paid as Follows (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
2013	$ 7,438
2014	8,182
2015	8,867
2016	9,583
2017	10,164
2018 - 2022	$ 60,567

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Leases [Line Items]
Rental expense	$ 229,400	$ 213,800	$ 195,600
Capital lease assets	104,200	86,600
Capital lease, accumulated amortization	36,400	30,200
Capital lease obligations	102,300	86,700
Current portion of capital lease obligations	29,842	25,296
Deferred rent	86,900	$ 77,600
Remaing aggregate rental obligation	$ 1,910,410
Sublease in connection with sale of TruckPro business [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Initial term of subleased properties in connection with sale of TruckPro business	Not less than 20 years
Remaing aggregate rental obligation	$ 17,300

Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Capital Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Leases And Operating Leases For Continuing Operations [Line Items]
2013	$ 217,844
2014	209,300
2015	192,296
2016	174,844
2017	157,691
Thereafter	958,435
Total minimum payments required	1,910,410
2013	29,842
2014	28,859
2015	24,520
2016	17,181
2017	5,002
Thereafter
Total minimum payments required	105,404
Less: Interest	(3,148)
Present value of minimum capital lease payments	$ 102,256

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commitment for construction	$ 25.6
Surety bonds	$ 33.1
The period of time before expiration of standby letters of credit and surety bonds	Less than one year
Standby letters of credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding standby letters of credit	$ 102.3

Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	Aug. 25, 2012
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Site contingency, recovery from third party of environmental remediation cost	In 2004, the Company acquired a store site in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey that had previously been the site of a gasoline service station and contained evidence of groundwater contamination. Upon acquisition, the Company voluntarily reported the groundwater contamination issue to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement providing for the remediation of the contamination associated with the property. The Company has conducted and paid for (at an immaterial cost to the Company) remediation of visible contamination on the property and is investigating and will be addressing potential vapor intrusion impacts in downgradient residences and businesses. Pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement, upon completion of all remediation required by the agreement, the Company is eligible to be reimbursed up to 75 percent of its remediation costs by the State of New Jersey. Although the aggregate amount of additional costs that the Company may incur pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement cannot currently be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that fulfillment of its obligations under the agreement will result in costs that are material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Reimbursable remediation costs	75.00%

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	Aug. 25, 2012 Store Segment
Number of operating segments	2
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of automotive parts and accessories stores in the United States, including Puerto Rico and Mexico \| Store	5,006

Segment Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Segment Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 05, 2012	Feb. 11, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011	May 07, 2011	Feb. 12, 2011	Nov. 20, 2010	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,111,866	$ 1,804,069	$ 1,924,341	$ 1,978,369	$ 1,660,946	$ 1,791,662	$ 2,763,585	$ 2,641,996	$ 8,603,863	$ 8,072,973	$ 7,362,618
Gross profit	1,089,799	926,215	983,627	1,013,530	845,611	907,748	1,432,394	1,352,574	4,432,036	4,119,463	3,711,744
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses									(2,803,145)	(2,624,660)	(2,392,330)
Interest expense, net									(175,905)	(170,557)	(158,909)
Income before income taxes	387,507	261,728	301,840	353,009	232,172	268,868	501,911	470,197	1,452,986	1,324,246	1,160,505
Assets							6,265,639	5,869,602	6,265,639	5,869,602
Capital Expenditures									378,054	321,604	315,400
Net sales	$ 2,111,866	$ 1,804,069	$ 1,924,341	$ 1,978,369	$ 1,660,946	$ 1,791,662	2,763,585	2,641,996	8,603,863	8,072,973	7,362,618
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales									8,422,559	7,906,692	7,213,753
Gross profit									4,292,474	3,989,852	3,591,464
Assets							6,214,688	5,827,285	6,214,688	5,827,285	5,531,955
Capital Expenditures									364,361	316,074	307,725
Net sales									8,422,559	7,906,692	7,213,753
Other [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales									181,304	166,281	148,865
Gross profit									139,562	129,611	120,280
Assets							50,951	42,317	50,951	42,317	39,639
Capital Expenditures									13,693	5,530	7,675
Net sales									181,304	166,281	148,865
Total [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Assets							$ 6,265,639	$ 5,869,602	6,265,639	5,869,602	5,571,594
Capital Expenditures									378,054	321,604	315,400
Failure [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales									3,793,963	3,530,497	3,145,528
Net sales									3,793,963	3,530,497	3,145,528
Maintenance items [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales									3,196,807	3,051,672	2,792,610
Net sales									3,196,807	3,051,672	2,792,610
Discretionary [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales									1,431,789	1,324,523	1,275,615
Net sales									$ 1,431,789	$ 1,324,523	$ 1,275,615

Quarterly Summary (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 05, 2012	Feb. 11, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011	May 07, 2011	Feb. 12, 2011	Nov. 20, 2010	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 25, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Aug. 28, 2010
Net sales	$ 2,111,866	$ 1,804,069	$ 1,924,341	$ 1,978,369	$ 1,660,946	$ 1,791,662	$ 2,763,585	$ 2,641,996	$ 8,603,863	$ 8,072,973	$ 7,362,618
Gross profit	1,089,799	926,215	983,627	1,013,530	845,611	907,748	1,432,394	1,352,574	4,432,036	4,119,463	3,711,744
Operating profit	427,250	300,651	340,934	392,925	271,748	306,121	560,056	524,010	1,628,891	1,494,803	1,319,414
Income before income taxes	387,507	261,728	301,840	353,009	232,172	268,868	501,911	470,197	1,452,986	1,324,246	1,160,505
Net income	$ 248,586	$ 166,930	$ 191,125	$ 227,373	$ 148,056	$ 172,076	$ 323,733	$ 301,469	$ 930,373	$ 848,974	$ 738,311
Basic earnings per share	$ 6.43	$ 4.25	$ 4.79	$ 5.42	$ 3.41	$ 3.85	$ 8.65	$ 7.35	$ 24.04	$ 19.91	$ 15.23
Diluted earnings per share	$ 6.28	$ 4.15	$ 4.68	$ 5.29	$ 3.34	$ 3.77	$ 8.46	$ 7.18	$ 23.48	$ 19.47	$ 14.97

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16381557&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.23)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 18
-Article 7

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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