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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Nov. 17, 2012	Dec. 10, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Nov. 17, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	AZO
Entity Registrant Name	AUTOZONE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866787
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,331,497

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 99,864	$ 103,093
Accounts receivable	173,338	161,375
Merchandise inventories	2,702,103	2,627,983
Other current assets	86,003	85,649
Deferred income taxes	983	846
Total current assets	3,062,291	2,978,946
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment	4,735,703	4,659,761
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,845,434)	(1,803,833)
Property and equipment, net	2,890,269	2,855,928
Goodwill	302,645	302,645
Deferred income taxes	36,547	33,796
Other long-term assets	106,287	94,324
Other long-term assets, total	445,479	430,765
Assets	6,398,039	6,265,639
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,021,916	2,926,740
Accrued expenses and other	455,762	478,085
Income taxes payable	80,532	17,053
Deferred income taxes	186,282	183,833
Short-term borrowings		49,881
Total current liabilities	3,744,492	3,655,592
Long-term debt	3,802,705	3,718,302
Other long-term liabilities	442,211	439,770
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; 40,168 shares issued and 36,473 shares outstanding as of November 17, 2012; 39,869 shares issued and 37,028 shares outstanding as of August 25, 2012	402	399
Additional paid-in capital	760,872	689,890
Retained deficit	(829,745)	(1,033,197)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(152,462)	(152,013)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,370,436)	(1,053,104)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,591,369)	(1,548,025)
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit	$ 6,398,039	$ 6,265,639

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	40,168	39,869
Common stock, shares outstanding	36,473	37,028

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Net sales	$ 1,991,040	$ 1,924,341
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	959,174	940,714
Gross profit	1,031,866	983,627
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	668,590	642,693
Operating profit	363,276	340,934
Interest expense, net	41,104	39,094
Income before income taxes	322,172	301,840
Income taxes	118,720	110,715
Net income	$ 203,452	$ 191,125
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	36,845	39,865
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	741	999
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	37,586	40,864
Basic earnings per share	$ 5.52	$ 4.79
Diluted earnings per share	$ 5.41	$ 4.68

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

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Nov. 19, 2011

Net income

$ 203,452

$ 191,125

Other comprehensive loss:

Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes

^[1]

1,435

10,419

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(2,059)

(23,987)

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of taxes

^[2]

(261)

Net derivative activities, net of taxes

^[3]

165

2,877

Total other comprehensive loss

(449)

(10,952)

Comprehensive income

$ 203,003

$ 180,173

[1]	Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $1,898 in fiscal 2013 and $8,159 in fiscal 2012
[2]	Unrealized gain (losses) on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $5 in fiscal 2013 and $141 in fiscal 2012
[3]	Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $103 in fiscal 2013 and $2,470 in fiscal 2012

- 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

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-Number 210
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+ Details

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$ 1,898	$ 8,159
Unrealized loss adjustment on marketable securities net of taxes	5	141
Net losses on outstanding derivatives, taxes	$ 103	$ 2,470

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 203,452	$ 191,125
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	50,700	48,647
Amortization of debt origination fees	1,941	1,738
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(23,910)	(11,157)
Deferred income taxes	(2,455)	6,241
Share-based compensation expense	8,131	7,562
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(12,362)	4,856
Merchandise inventories	(74,808)	(75,122)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	72,594	87,317
Income taxes payable	86,914	70,891
Other, net	8,056	10,196
Net cash provided by operating activities	318,253	342,294
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(80,430)	(61,924)
Purchase of marketable securities	(11,802)	(11,091)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	6,179	10,069
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	462	1,057
Net cash used in investing activities	(85,591)	(61,889)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from commercial paper	39,300	1,300
Net (payments) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(4,852)	4,496
Proceeds from issuance of debt	300,000
Repayment of debt	(300,000)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	39,226	18,561
Purchase of treasury stock	(317,332)	(309,765)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	23,910	11,157
Payments of capital lease obligations	(7,474)	(6,448)
Other, net	(8,637)
Net cash used in financing activities	(235,859)	(280,699)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(32)	(636)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(3,229)	(930)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	103,093	97,606
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 99,864	$ 96,676

General

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

General

Note A – General

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) rules and regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 25, 2012.

Operating results for the twelve weeks ended November 17, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2013. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone’s fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2013 has 17 weeks and for fiscal 2012 had 16 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

+ References

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+ Details

Share-Based Payments

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Share-Based Payments

Note B – Share-Based Payments

AutoZone recognizes compensation expense for share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Share-based payments include stock option grants, restricted stock grants, restricted stock unit grants and the discount on shares sold to employees under share purchase plans. Additionally, directors’ fees are paid in restricted stock units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. The change in fair value of liability-based stock awards is also recognized in share-based compensation expense.

Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $8.1 million for the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, and was $7.6 million for the comparable prior year period.

During the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, 298,983 shares of stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $131.54. In the comparable prior year period, 162,510 shares of stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $118.12.

The Company made stock option grants of 349,560 shares during the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, and granted options to purchase 375,630 shares during the comparable prior year period. The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the twelve week periods ended November 17, 2012, and November 19, 2011, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $98.09 and $93.04 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Expected price volatility		29	%		31	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.5	%		0.7	%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.2			5.3
Forfeiture rate		10	%		10	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%

See AutoZone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 25, 2012, for a discussion regarding the methodology used in developing AutoZone’s assumptions to determine the fair value of the option awards and a description of AutoZone’s 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan and the 2011 Director Compensation Program.

For the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, 368,580 stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because they would have been anti-dilutive. For the comparable prior year period, 372,170 anti-dilutive shares were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share computation.

- 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

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+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Fair Value Measurements

Note C – Fair Value Measurements

The Company 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. The Company uses a hierarchy of valuation inputs to measure fair value.

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:


	November 17, 2012
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	19,117	$	—	$	—	$	19,117
Other long-term assets		46,802		15,933		—		62,735

	$	65,919	$	15,933	$	—	$	81,852


	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	)

At November 17, 2012, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $19.1 million, which are included within Other current assets, and long-term marketable securities of $62.7 million, which are included in Other long-term assets. 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. The fair values of the marketable securities, by asset class, are described in “Note D – Marketable Securities”.

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 the twelve week periods ended November 17, 2012 and November 19, 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. A discussion of the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt is included in “Note H – 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

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-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 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Number 107
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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
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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

Marketable Securities

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Marketable Securities

Note D – 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:


	November 17, 2012
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,574	$	319	$	(2	)	$	26,891
Government bonds		21,770		93		—			21,863
Mortgage-backed securities		7,136		23		(12	)		7,147
Asset-backed securities and other		25,816		135		—			25,951

	$	81,296	$	570	$	(14	)	$	81,852


	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

The debt securities held at November 17, 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 marketable securities during the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012.

The Company holds nine securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $14 thousand at November 17, 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 the 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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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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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

Derivative Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Derivative Financial Instruments

Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments

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 were cash flow hedges used to hedge the exposure to variability in future cash flows resulting from changes in variable interest rates related to the $300 million Senior Note debt issuance in November 2012. The fixed rates of the hedges were 2.07% and 1.92% and were benchmarked based on the 10-year U.S. treasury notes. These locks expired on November 1, 2012 and resulted in a loss of $5.1 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 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.

At November 17, 2012, the Company had $12.7 million recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to 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 twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, the Company reclassified $412 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the comparable prior year period, the Company reclassified $406 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. The Company expects to reclassify $922 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.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
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+ Details

Merchandise Inventories

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Merchandise Inventories

Note F – Merchandise Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for domestic inventories and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method for Mexico inventories. Included in inventories 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 the Company’s merchandise purchases, was $279.5 million at November 17, 2012, and $270.4 million at August 25, 2012.

Pension and Savings Plans

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Pension and Savings Plans

Note G – Pension and Savings Plans

The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s pension plans consisted of the following:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Interest cost	$	2,659		$	2,819
Expected return on plan assets		(3,083	)		(2,704	)
Amortization of net loss		3,333			2,260

Net periodic pension expense	$	2,909		$	2,375

The Company makes contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. During the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012, the Company made contributions to its funded plan in the amount of $2.0 million. The Company expects to contribute approximately $6.9 million to the plan during the remainder of 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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-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

Financing

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Financing

Note H – Financing

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


(in thousands)	November 17, 2012		August 25, 2012
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%	$	—	$	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		500,000
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%		300,000		—
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at November 17, 2012 and August 25, 2012, respectively		552,705		468,302

	$	3,802,705	$	3,718,302

As of November 17, 2012, the commercial paper borrowings and the 4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013 mature in the next twelve months, but are classified as long-term in the accompanying Condensed 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 $996.3 million of availability under its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, expiring in September 2016, which would allow it to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing.

On November 13, 2012, the Company issued $300 million in 2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023 under its shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 17, 2012 (the “Shelf Registration”). The Shelf Registration allows us 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. Proceeds from the debt issuance on November 13, 2012, were used to repay a portion of the outstanding commercial paper borrowings, and for general corporate purposes.

In September 2011, the Company amended and restated its revolving credit facility, increasing the capacity under the revolving credit facility 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 fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $4.110 billion as of November 17, 2012, and $4.055 billion as of August 25, 2012, 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 $307.5 million at November 17, 2012, and $286.6 million at August 25, 2012.

- 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

Stock Repurchase Program

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Stock Repurchase Program

Note I – Stock Repurchase Program

From January 1, 1998 to November 17, 2012, the Company has repurchased a total of 132.0 million shares at an aggregate cost of $11.9 billion, including 854,668 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $317.3 million during the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012. On September 28, 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. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of November 17, 2012, the Company had $788.4 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock. Subsequent to November 17, 2012, the Company has repurchased 153,489 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $57.7 million.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Note J – 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 25, 2012	$	93,967		$	50,267	$	(351	)	$	8,130		$	152,013
Other comprehensive (income) loss		(1,435	)		2,059		(10	)		(165	)		449

Balance at November 17, 2012	$	92,532		$	52,326	$	(361	)	$	7,965		$	152,462

(1)

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

- 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.

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

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-Number 130
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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

Litigation

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Litigation

Note K – 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.

Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Segment Reporting

Note L – Segment Reporting

The Company’s three operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts, Mexico, and Brazil) are 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 in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 25, 2012.

The Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 5,029 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil. 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. Segment results for the periods presented were as follows:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Net Sales
Auto Parts Stores	$	1,948,724		$	1,884,138
Other		42,316			40,203

Total	$	1,991,040		$	1,924,341

Segment Profit
Auto Parts Stores	$	999,335		$	952,357
Other		32,531			31,270

Gross profit		1,031,866			983,627
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(668,590	)		(642,693	)
Interest expense, net		(41,104	)		(39,094	)

Income before income taxes	$	322,172		$	301,840

- 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

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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

Subsequent Event

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Subsequent Event

Note M – Subsequent Event

Subsequent to November 17, 2012, the Company reached an agreement to purchase the assets and select liabilities of AutoAnything, an online retailer of specialized automotive products located in San Diego, California. AutoAnything sells a broad range of products focused primarily in the accessory and performance categories. The Company expects to finance the acquisition with commercial paper borrowings and close the acquisition during the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

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

2012, and November 19, 2011, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $98.09 and $93.04 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Expected price volatility		29	%		31	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.5	%		0.7	%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.2			5.3
Forfeiture rate		10	%		10	%
Dividend yield		0	%		0	%

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 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:


	November 17, 2012
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	19,117	$	—	$	—	$	19,117
Other long-term assets		46,802		15,933		—		62,735

	$	65,919	$	15,933	$	—	$	81,852


	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	)

- 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

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+ Details

Marketable Securities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities

The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:


	November 17, 2012
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Corporate securities	$	26,574	$	319	$	(2	)	$	26,891
Government bonds		21,770		93		—			21,863
Mortgage-backed securities		7,136		23		(12	)		7,147
Asset-backed securities and other		25,816		135		—			25,951

	$	81,296	$	570	$	(14	)	$	81,852


	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

- 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

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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.

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

Pension and Savings Plans (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)

The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s pension plans consisted of the following:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Interest cost	$	2,659		$	2,819
Expected return on plan assets		(3,083	)		(2,704	)
Amortization of net loss		3,333			2,260

Net periodic pension expense	$	2,909		$	2,375

- 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
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-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
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915506&loc=d3e2410-114920

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
-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

Financing (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Schedule of Long-Term Debt

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


(in thousands)	November 17, 2012		August 25, 2012
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%	$	—	$	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		500,000
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%		300,000		—
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at November 17, 2012 and August 25, 2012, respectively		552,705		468,302

	$	3,802,705	$	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
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-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
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1A
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-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

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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 25, 2012	$	93,967		$	50,267	$	(351	)	$	8,130		$	152,013
Other comprehensive (income) loss		(1,435	)		2,059		(10	)		(165	)		449

Balance at November 17, 2012	$	92,532		$	52,326	$	(361	)	$	7,965		$	152,462

(1)

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

Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Segment Results

and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit. Segment results for the periods presented were as follows:


	Twelve Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	November 17, 2012			November 19, 2011
Net Sales
Auto Parts Stores	$	1,948,724		$	1,884,138
Other		42,316			40,203

Total	$	1,991,040		$	1,924,341

Segment Profit
Auto Parts Stores	$	999,335		$	952,357
Other		32,531			31,270

Gross profit		1,031,866			983,627
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(668,590	)		(642,693	)
Interest expense, net		(41,104	)		(39,094	)

Income before income taxes	$	322,172		$	301,840

- 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

General - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
General - Additional Information (Detail)	Nov. 17, 2012
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Description of reporting periods	Operating results for the twelve weeks ended November 17, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2013. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone's fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2012 had 16 weeks and for fiscal 2013 has 17 weeks. Additionally, the Company's business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.

+ References + Details

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense related to stock options and share purchase plans	$ 8.1	$ 7.6
Stock options exercised - Shares	298,983	162,510
Stock options exercised - Weighted average exercise price	$ 131.54	$ 118.12
Stock options granted	349,560	375,630
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted	$ 98.09	$ 93.04
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of earnings per share	368,580	372,170

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Antidilution
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

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

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 40
-Subparagraph c
-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 128
-Paragraph 13, 14
-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 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 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
-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

Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted Related Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected price volatility	29.00%	31.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.50%	0.70%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)	5 years 2 months 12 days	5 years 3 months 18 days
Forfeiture rate	10.00%	10.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%

Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 19,117	$ 22,515
Other long-term assets	62,735	53,699
Total	81,852	76,214
Accrued expenses and other		(4,915)
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	19,117	22,515
Other long-term assets	46,802	40,424
Total	65,919	62,939
Accrued expenses and other
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets
Other long-term assets	15,933	13,275
Total	15,933	13,275
Accrued expenses and other		(4,915)
Level 3 [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
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-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
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-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
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-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
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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
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15E
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Reference 7: 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

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Short-term marketable securities	$ 19,117	$ 22,515
Long term marketable securities	$ 62,735	$ 53,699

- 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	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 81,296	$ 75,673
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	570	561
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(14)	(20)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	81,852	76,214
Corporate securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	26,574	26,215
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	319	307
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	26,891	26,522
Government bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	21,770	20,790
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	93	117
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	21,863	20,906
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,136	4,369
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	23	17
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(12)	(19)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	7,147	4,367
Asset-backed securities and other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	25,816	24,299
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	135	120
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$ 25,951	$ 24,419

- 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	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 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 available for sale loss position \| Security	9
Available for sale securities in continuous unrealized loss position amount \| $	$ 14

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($) Derivative	May 05, 2012 USD ($) Derivative	Nov. 19, 2011 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Senior notes issued during period	$ 300,000,000
Expiration date of cash flow hedge agreement		November 1, 2012
Derivative losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	12,700,000
Net derivative losses amortized into interest expense	412,000			$ 406,000
Net derivative loss expected to be reclassified over next 12 months	922,000
Treasury rate locks [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of treasury rate locks \| Derivative		2	2
Senior notes issued during period	$ 300,000,000		$ 500,000,000
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
Derivative description of terms		The locks were benchmarked based on the 10-year U.S. treasury notes	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		$ 5,100,000	$ 2,800,000
Treasury Rate Lock, One [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges		$ 100,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR		2.07%	2.09%
Treasury Rate Lock, Two [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges		$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Fixed rates of the hedges based on LIBOR		1.92%	2.07%

Merchandise Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 17, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Inventories Net [Line Items]
Unrecorded adjustment for LIFO value in excess of replacement value	$ 279.5	$ 270.4

Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Pension And Other Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 2,659	$ 2,819
Expected return on plan assets	(3,083)	(2,704)
Amortization of net loss	3,333	2,260
Net periodic pension expense	$ 2,909	$ 2,375

- 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

Pension and Savings Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 17, 2012 USD ($)
Annual contributions by the company to pension plans	$ 2.0
Expected contributions to the plan in fiscal 2013	$ 6.9

Components of Company's of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 13, 2012	Aug. 25, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 3,802,705		$ 3,718,302
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt			$ 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		$ 500,000
Stated interest rate percentage	3.70%		3.70%
Effective interest rate	3.85%		3.85%
Debt instrument, due date	April 2022		April 2022
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%[Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 300,000
Stated interest rate percentage	2.875%	2.875%
Effective interest rate	3.21%		3.21%
Debt instrument, due date	January 2023		January 2023
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at November 17, 2012 and August 25, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 552,705		$ 468,302
Weighted average interest rate of commercial paper	0.42%		0.42%

Financing - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
Financing - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Nov. 13, 2012 USD ($)	Nov. 17, 2012 USD ($) mo	Aug. 25, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 13, 2011 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility		$ 996,300
Amount available under credit facility		$ 1,000,000
Expiration of credit facility		September 2016
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 300,000
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity				$ 1,250,000
Fair value of the Company's debt		4,110,000	$ 4,055,000
Excess (shortfall) of fair value of debt over (from) carrying value		$ 307,500	$ 286,600
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%[Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 300,000
Stated interest rate percentage	2.875%	2.875%
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.42% at November 17, 2012 and August 25, 2012 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commercial paper borrowings, maturity period (in months) \| mo		12
Letters of credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity		$ 200,000
Capital leases [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Letter of credit facility maximum borrowing capacity		$ 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.

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 13, 2012	Nov. 17, 2012	Sep. 28, 2012	Nov. 17, 2012
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased Authorized Value			$ 11,900.0
Stock Repurchased Cumulative		132,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares				854,668
Purchase of treasury stock				$ 317.3
Remaining Value Authorized For Share Repurchases		$ 788.4		$ 788.4
Stock repurchase authorized during the period, value			750.0
Stock repurchase authorized amended value			$ 12,650.0
Treasury stock acquired repurchase authorization				From January 1, 1998 to November 17, 2012, the Company has repurchased a total of 132.0 million shares at an aggregate cost of $11.9 billion, including 854,668 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $317.3 million during the twelve week period ended November 17, 2012. On September 28, 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. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of November 17, 2012, the Company had $788.4 million remaining under the Board's authorization to repurchase its common stock. Subsequent to November 17, 2012, the Company has repurchased 153,489 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $57.7 million.
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased Cumulative	153,489
Stock Repurchased During Period, Amount	$ 57.7

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

3 Months Ended

Nov. 17, 2012

Nov. 19, 2011

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

Pension Liability Adjustments, net of taxes, Beginning balance

$ 93,967

Other comprehensive (income) loss

^[1]

(1,435)

$ (10,419)

Pension Liability Adjustments, net of taxes, Ending balance

92,532

Balance at August 25, 2012

^[2]

50,267

Other comprehensive (income) loss

^[2]

2,059

Balance at November 17, 2012

^[2]

52,326

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

(351)

Other comprehensive (income) loss

(10)

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

(361)

Net Derivative Activity, net of taxes, Beginning Balance

8,130

Other comprehensive (income) loss

^[3]

(165)

$ (2,877)

Net Derivative Activity, net of taxes, Ending Balance

7,965

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Beginning balance

152,013

Other comprehensive (income) loss

449

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net of Tax Ending Balance

$ 152,462

[1]	Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $1,898 in fiscal 2013 and $8,159 in fiscal 2012
[2]	Foreign currency is not shown net of tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
[3]	Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $103 in fiscal 2013 and $2,470 in fiscal 2012

Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	Nov. 17, 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)	3 Months Ended
Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	Nov. 17, 2012 Store Segment
Number of operating segments	3
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of automotive parts and accessories stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil \| Store	5,029

Segment Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Segment Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 19, 2011
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,991,040	$ 1,924,341
Gross profit	1,031,866	983,627
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	(668,590)	(642,693)
Interest expense, net	(41,104)	(39,094)
Income before income taxes	322,172	301,840
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	1,948,724	1,884,138
Gross profit	999,335	952,357
Other [Member]
Operating Statistics [Line Items]
Net sales	42,316	40,203
Gross profit	$ 32,531	$ 31,270