v2.4.0.8
Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Total
Total Costco Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Noncontrolling Interests
Equity at beginning of period at Aug. 29, 2010 $ 10,930 $ 10,829 $ 2 $ 4,115 $ 122 $ 6,590 $ 101
Common stock at beginning of period (shares) at Aug. 29, 2010     433,510,000        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Initial consolidation of noncontrolling interest in Costco Mexico 357 0         357
Net income 1,542 1,462       1,462 80
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net 275 251     251   24
Stock-based compensation 207 207   207      
Stock options exercised, including tax effects (shares)     7,245,000        
Stock options exercised, including tax effects 332 332 0 332      
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (shares)     2,385,000        
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (51) (51) 0 (51)      
Conversion of convertible notes (shares)     65,000        
Conversion of convertible notes 2 2 0 2      
Repurchased of common stock (shares) (8,939,000)   (8,939,000)        
Repurchases of common stock (641) (641) 0 (89)   (552)  
Cash dividends declared (389) (389)       (389)  
Investment by noncontrolling interest 9           9
Equity at end of period at Aug. 28, 2011 12,573 12,002 2 4,516 373 7,111 571
Common stock at end of period (shares) at Aug. 28, 2011     434,266,000        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Net income 1,767 1,709       1,709 58
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net (96) (62)     (62)   (34)
Stock-based compensation 241 241   241      
Stock options exercised, including tax effects (shares)     2,756,000        
Stock options exercised, including tax effects 142 142 0 142      
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (shares)     2,554,000        
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (76) (76) 0 (76)      
Conversion of convertible notes (shares)     46,000        
Conversion of convertible notes 2 2 0 2      
Repurchased of common stock (shares) (7,272,000)   (7,272,000)        
Repurchases of common stock (617) (617) 0 (77)   (540)  
Cash dividends declared (446) (446)       (446)  
Distributions to noncontrolling interest (183)           (183)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in Costco Mexico (789) (534)   (379) (155)   (255)
Equity at end of period at Sep. 02, 2012 12,518 12,361 2 4,369 156 7,834 157
Common stock at end of period (shares) at Sep. 02, 2012 432,350,000   432,350,000        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]              
Net income 2,061 2,039       2,039 22
Foreign-currency translation adjustment and other, net (278) (278)     (278)   0
Stock-based compensation 285 285   285      
Stock options exercised, including tax effects (shares) 1,435,000   1,435,000        
Stock options exercised, including tax effects 75 75 0 75      
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (shares)     2,609,000        
Release of vested RSUs, including tax effects (85) (85) 0 (85)      
Conversion of convertible notes (shares)     802,000        
Conversion of convertible notes 30 30 0 30      
Repurchased of common stock (shares) (357,000)   (357,000)        
Repurchases of common stock (34) (34) 0 (4)   (30)  
Cash dividends declared (3,560) (3,560)       (3,560)  
Equity at end of period at Sep. 01, 2013 $ 11,012 $ 10,833 $ 2 $ 4,670 $ (122) $ 6,283 $ 179
Common stock at end of period (shares) at Sep. 01, 2013 436,839,000   436,839,000