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Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

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Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

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Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings in the period from the increase (decrease) in fair value of foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

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Amount of difference between inventory at lower of LIFO cost or market and inventory at lower of other inventory accounting method cost or market, for example, but not limited to, FIFO or average cost.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2015 warehouse	Feb. 16, 2014	Feb. 15, 2015 warehouse	Feb. 16, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	$ (12)		$ 11
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	14	10	12	19
Number Of Warehouses Operated	671cost_NumberOfWarehousesOperated		671cost_NumberOfWarehousesOperated
Inventory LIFO reserve cumulative impact	103us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve		103us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve		109us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Notional amount of forward foreign - exchange derivative	1,108		1,108		585
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Notional amount of forward foreign - exchange derivative	$ 350		$ 350
UNITED STATES
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	474		474
Number of states in country	43		43
CANADA
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	88		88
MEXICO
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	34		34
UNITED KINGDOM
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	26		26
JAPAN
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	20		20
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	10		10
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	11		11
AUSTRALIA
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	7		7
SPAIN
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Warehouses Operated	1		1