Equity And Comprehensive Income (Tables)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Nov. 20, 2011

Aug. 28, 2011

Equity and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Stock Repurchased During The Period


		Shares Repurchased (000's)				Average Price per Share				Total Cost
2012			2,122			$	81.54			$	173
2011			2,436			$	61.71			$	150

Components Of Equity And Comprehensive Income


		Attributable to Costco				Noncontrolling Interests				Total Equity
Equity at August 28, 2011		$	12,002			$	571			$	12,573
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on short-term investments, net of $1 tax			(1	)			0				(1	)
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other			(167	)			(41	)			(208	)
Net income			320				8				328

Total comprehensive income			152				(33	)			119
Stock-based compensation			76				0				76
Stock options exercised including tax effects			60				0				60
Release of vested restricted stock units (RSUs) including tax effects			(104	)			0				(104	)
Conversion of convertible notes			1				0				1
Repurchases of common stock			(173	)			0				(173	)
Cash dividends			(105	)			0				(105	)

Equity at November 20, 2011		$	11,909			$	538			$	12,447


		Attributable to Costco				Noncontrolling Interests				Total Equity
Equity at August 29, 2010		$	10,829			$	101			$	10,930
Initial consolidation of noncontrolling interest in Costco Mexico			0				357				357
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on short-term investments, net of tax			1				0				1
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other			147				30				177
Net income			312				20				332

Total comprehensive income			460				50				510
Stock-based compensation			57				0				57
Stock options exercised including tax effects ,			144				0				144
Release of vested RSUs including tax effects			(52	)			0				(52	)
Repurchases of common stock			(150	)			0				(150	)
Cash dividends			(89	)			0				(89	)

Equity at November 21, 2010		$	11,199			$	508			$	11,707