Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) 10-Q 9 Jul 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36759
Entity Registrant Name	WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-1758322
Entity Address, Address Line One	108 Wilmot Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Deerfield
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60015
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	315-2500
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		866,534,089
Entity Central Index Key	0001618921
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	WBA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
2.875% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.875% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2020
Trading Symbol	WBA20
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
3.600% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	3.600% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2025
Trading Symbol	WBA25
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
2.125% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2026
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.125% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2026
Trading Symbol	WBA26
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 768	$ 1,023
Accounts receivable, net	6,982	7,226
Inventories	9,563	9,333
Other current assets	1,013	1,118
Total current assets	18,326	18,700
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,071	13,478
Operating lease right-of-use assets	21,609	0
Goodwill	14,948	16,560
Intangible assets, net	10,183	10,876
Equity method investments (see note 5)	7,033	6,851
Other non-current assets	1,274	1,133
Total non-current assets	68,118	48,899
Total assets	86,444	67,598
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	4,379	5,738
Trade accounts payable (see note 16)	14,033	14,341
Operating lease obligation	2,288	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,860	5,474
Income taxes	87	216
Total current liabilities	26,649	25,769
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt	12,111	11,098
Operating lease obligation	21,943	0
Deferred income taxes	1,538	1,785
Other non-current liabilities	2,882	4,795
Total non-current liabilities	38,473	17,678
Commitments and contingencies (see note 10)
Equity:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 32 million shares, none issued	0	0
Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 3.2 billion shares; issued 1,172,513,618 at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019	12	12
Paid-in capital	10,726	10,639
Retained earnings	34,244	35,815
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,871)	(3,897)
Treasury stock, at cost; 302,334,909 shares at May 31, 2020 and 277,126,116 shares at August 31, 2019	(20,375)	(19,057)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity	20,736	23,512
Noncontrolling interests	586	641
Total equity	21,323	24,152
Total liabilities and equity	$ 86,444	$ 67,598

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANC_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	32,000,000	32,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	3,200,000,000	3,200,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	1,172,513,618	1,172,513,618
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	302,334,909	277,126,116

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMEN

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common stock	Treasury stock amount	Paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Retained earningsCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2018			952,133,418
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 26,689	$ (88)	$ 12	$ (15,047)	$ 10,493	$ (3,002)	$ 33,551	$ (88)	$ 682
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	3,275						3,305		(29)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(399)					(393)			(6)
Dividends declared	(1,222)						(1,219)		(3)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(53,491,968)
Treasury stock purchases	(3,726)			(3,726)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			4,502,013
Employee stock purchase and option plans	156			135	21
Stock-based compensation	87				87
Other	(2)				4				(6)
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2019			903,143,463
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2019	24,771		$ 12	(18,638)	10,605	(3,393)	35,547		638
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2019			914,176,442
Beginning Balance at Feb. 28, 2019	25,413		$ 12	(18,036)	10,571	(2,705)	34,928		643
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,037						1,025		12
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(696)					(683)			(13)
Dividends declared	(399)						(399)		0
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(11,394,049)
Treasury stock purchases	(612)			(612)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			361,070
Employee stock purchase and option plans	18			11	7
Stock-based compensation	24				24
Other	(13)				3	(6)	(6)		(4)
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2019			903,143,463
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2019	24,771		$ 12	(18,638)	10,605	(3,393)	35,547		638
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019			895,387,502
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	24,152	(442)	$ 12	(19,057)	10,639	(3,897)	35,815	(442)	641
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	68						83		(16)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	31					27			4
Dividends declared	(1,254)						(1,211)		(43)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(27,023,145)
Treasury stock purchases	(1,374)			(1,374)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			1,814,352
Employee stock purchase and option plans	40			56	(16)
Stock-based compensation	101				101
Other	2				2
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2020			870,178,709
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2020	21,323		$ 12	(20,375)	10,726	(3,871)	34,244		586
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Feb. 29, 2020			880,397,199
Beginning Balance at Feb. 29, 2020	24,334	$ 0	$ 12	(19,925)	10,689	(3,407)	36,351	$ 0	615
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(1,726)						(1,708)		(18)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(474)					(463)			(11)
Dividends declared	(399)						(399)		0
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(10,563,051)
Treasury stock purchases	(461)			(461)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			344,561
Employee stock purchase and option plans	13			12	1
Stock-based compensation	35				35
Other	1				1
Ending Balance (in shares) at May. 31, 2020			870,178,709
Ending Balance at May. 31, 2020	$ 21,323		$ 12	$ (20,375)	$ 10,726	$ (3,871)	$ 34,244		$ 586

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 34,631	$ 34,591	$ 104,791	$ 102,912
Cost of sales	28,193	27,138	83,577	80,063
Gross profit	6,438	7,453	21,214	22,849
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,265	6,235	20,835	18,834
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	243	(16)	284	105
Operating income (loss)	(1,584)	1,203	662	4,120
Other income (expense)	(34)	182	26	227
Earnings (loss) before interest and income tax provision	(1,618)	1,385	689	4,347
Interest expense, net	155	187	482	529
Earnings (loss) before income tax provision	(1,773)	1,198	206	3,819
Income tax provision (benefit)	(40)	156	152	562
Post tax earnings (loss) from other equity method investments	7	(5)	14	19
Net earnings (loss)	(1,726)	1,037	68	3,275
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	12	(16)	(29)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ (1,708)	$ 1,025	$ 83	$ 3,305
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ 1.13	$ 0.09	$ 3.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ 1.13	$ 0.09	$ 3.55
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	875.4	909.9	883.7	928.8
Diluted (in shares)	875.4	911.2	884.7	931.1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_3

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (1,726)	$ 1,037	$ 68	$ 3,275
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension/postretirement obligations	(2)	(2)	(11)	(8)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(5)	3	(4)	4
Net investment hedges (see note 13)	46	41	25	29
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investments	(15)	1	(20)	(1)
Currency translation adjustments	(498)	(745)	41	(422)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(474)	(702)	31	(399)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(2,200)	335	99	2,877
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(29)	(1)	(12)	(35)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ (2,171)	$ 336	$ 110	$ 2,912

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_4

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 68	$ 3,275
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,447	1,512
Deferred income taxes	(102)	109
Stock compensation expense	101	87
Equity (earnings) from equity method investments	(297)	(124)
Goodwill and intangible impairments	2,001	0
Other	305	42
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	141	(730)
Inventories	(227)	(354)
Other current assets	59	(80)
Trade accounts payable	(210)	662
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	569	(642)
Income taxes	(353)	(372)
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(102)	(171)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,398	3,215
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(962)	(1,246)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	557	0
Proceeds from sale of other assets	52	95
Business, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(345)	(467)
Other	37	51
Net cash used for investing activities	(660)	(1,569)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or less	196	299
Proceeds from debt	16,336	10,291
Payments of debt	(16,871)	(7,332)
Stock purchases	(1,374)	(3,726)
Proceeds related to employee stock plans	40	156
Cash dividends paid	(1,260)	(1,244)
Other	(66)	(17)
Net cash used for financing activities	(2,998)	(1,573)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3)	(12)
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(263)	62
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,207	975
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 943	$ 1,038

Accounting policies

Accounting policies	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting policies	Accounting policies Basis of presentation The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity investments in less than majority-owned companies if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) has severely impacted the economies of the U.S., the UK and other countries around the world. The impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s businesses, financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended May 31, 2020, as well as information regarding certain expected or potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, is discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. The Company bases its estimates on the information available at the time, its experiences and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances including estimates of the impact of COVID-19. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including, but not limited to, the severity and duration of COVID-19, the extent to which it will impact our customers, team members, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. The Company assessed certain accounting matters that require consideration of estimates and assumptions in context with the information reasonably available to the Company and the unknown future impacts of COVID-19 as of May 31, 2020 and through the date of this report. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the Company’s carrying value of goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets including operating lease right-of-use assets. These estimates and assumptions, including the severity and duration of COVID-19, resulted in a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended May 31, 2020. Refer to note 6, goodwill and other intangible assets for details. The Company’s future assessment of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods. Adjustments may be made in subsequent periods to reflect more current estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. The impact of COVID-19, the influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, changes in laws and general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and other factors on the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period may not be comparable to the same period in previous years.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Acquisition of certain Rite Aid Corporation ( “ Rite Aid ” ) assets During the three months ended May 31, 2020, pursuant to the amended and restated purchase agreement entered into in September 2017, the Company acquired the remaining Rite Aid distribution center including related inventory for cash consideration of $28 million. During the nine months ended May 31, 2020, the Company acquired two of three distribution centers including related inventory for cash consideration of $91 million. The Company acquired one distribution center and related inventory from Rite Aid for cash consideration of $61 million in fiscal 2019. Other acquisitions The Company acquired certain prescription files and related pharmacy inventory primarily in Retail Pharmacy USA for the aggregate purchase price of $27 million and $166 million during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively.

Exit and disposal activities

Exit and disposal activities	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Exit and disposal activities	Exit and disposal activities Transformational Cost Management Program On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a transformational cost management program that was expected to deliver in excess of $1.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”). As of the date of this report, the Company expects annual cost savings to be in excess of $2.0 billion by fiscal 2022, an increase from the previously reported expectations of annual cost savings in excess of $1.8 billion in October 2019 and $1.5 billion in April 2019. The Transformational Cost Management Program, which is multi-faceted and includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and the transformation of the Company’s information technology (IT) capabilities, is designed to help the Company achieve increased cost efficiencies. To date, the Company has taken actions across all aspects of the Transformational Cost Management Program. The actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program focus on all reportable segments and the Company’s global functions. Divisional optimization within each of the Company’s segments includes activities such as optimization of stores which includes plans to close approximately 200 Boots stores in the United Kingdom and approximately 200 stores in the United States. The Company currently estimates that the Transformational Cost Management Program will result in cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion, of which $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion are expected to be recorded as exit and disposal activities. In addition to these impacts, as a result of the actions related to store closures taken under the Transformational Cost Management Program, the Company recorded $508 million of transition adjustments to decrease retained earnings due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard (Topic 842) that became effective on September 1, 2019. See note 17, new accounting pronouncements, for additional information. Since the inception of the Transformational Cost Management Program to May 31, 2020, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP of $899 million, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $209 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs, $305 million in asset impairments, $293 million in employee severance and business transition costs and $92 million of information technology transformation and other exit costs. Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 170 $ 3 $ — $ 173 Asset impairments 19 10 1 30 Employee severance and business transition costs 51 2 3 57 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 21 13 — 34 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 261 $ 27 $ 5 $ 294 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Nine months ended May 31, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 179 $ 4 $ 1 $ 184 Asset impairments 31 13 1 45 Employee severance and business transition costs 124 32 12 168 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 37 30 2 70 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 371 $ 80 $ 17 $ 467 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Three months ended May 31, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments $ 5 $ 16 $ 11 $ 32 Employee severance and other exit costs 7 5 11 24 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 13 $ 21 $ 22 $ 56 Nine months ended May 31, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments $ 5 $ 48 $ 96 $ 149 Employee severance and other exit costs 24 39 22 86 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 29 $ 88 $ 119 $ 235 The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Asset Impairments Employee severance and business transition costs Information technology transformation and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 17 $ — $ 57 $ 4 $ 78 Costs 184 45 168 70 467 Payments (27) — (92) (31) (151) Other 1 (153) (45) 7 (13) (205) ASC 842 Leases adoption 2 (4) — — — (4) Currency — — — — — Balance at May 31, 2020 $ 17 $ — $ 140 $ 29 $ 186 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Refer to note 4, leases for additional information. 2 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Store Optimization Progra m On October 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a program (the “Store Optimization Program”) to optimize store locations through the planned closure of approximately 600 stores and related assets within the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment upon completion of the acquisition of certain stores and related assets from Rite Aid. The Company continues to expect to close approximately 750 stores and related assets, of which substantially all have been closed as part of this program. The actions under the Store Optimization Program commenced in March 2018 and are substantially completed with remaining activities expected to complete by end of fiscal 2020. The Store Optimization Program is expected to result in cost savings of approximately $350 million per year to be fully delivered by the end of fiscal 2020. The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $375 million, compared to the Company's previously stated expectation of $400 million in April 2020, of which $345 million have been recorded to date, primarily within selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company expects to incur charges of approximately $185 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs, of which $162 million have been recorded to date and approximately $190 million for employee severance and other exit costs of which $183 million have been recorded to date. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in cash expenditures. Costs related to the Store Optimization Program for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 3 $ 44 $ 24 $ 45 Employee severance and other exit costs 7 5 25 54 Total costs $ 10 $ 49 $ 49 $ 99 1 Includes $13 million operating lease right-of-use impairments for the nine months ended May 31, 2020. The changes in liabilities related to the Store Optimization Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 407 $ 22 $ 429 Costs 24 25 49 Payments (32) (34) (67) Other 1 (13) (8) (21) ASC 842 Leases adoption 2 (378) — (378) Balance at May 31, 2020 $ 8 $ 4 $ 12 1 Includes $13 million operating lease right-of-use impairments for the nine months ended May 31, 2020. Refer to note 4, leases for additional information. 2 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Cost Transformation Program On April 8, 2015, the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a restructuring program (the “Cost Transformation Program”) as part of an initiative to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Cost Transformation Program implemented and built on the cost-reduction initiative previously announced by the Company on August 6, 2014 and included plans to close stores across the United States; reorganize corporate and field operations; drive operating efficiencies; and streamline information technology and other functions. The actions under the Cost Transformation Program focused primarily on the Retail Pharmacy USA segment, but included activities from all segments. The Company completed the Cost Transformation Program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The liabilities related to the Cost Transformation Program declined by $382 million representing liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842 on September 1, 2019. The remaining liabilities as of May 31, 2020 were not material.

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land and equipment. For leases in the United States, the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,609 Operating lease obligations - current 2,288 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,943 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,231 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 770 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 47 Other non-current liabilities 1,008 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,055 Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, 2020 Nine months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 827 $ 2,496 Variable 1 167 595 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 29 Interest 14 42 Sublease income (25) (56) Impairment of right-of-use assets 2 170 182 Impairment of finance lease assets 2 21 24 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 3 84 224 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, total impairments include $153 million and $166 million, respectively, related to Transformational Cost Management and Store Optimization programs. See note 3, exit and disposal activities. 3 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Nine months ended May 31, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 2,521 Operating cash flows from finance leases 36 Financing cash flows from finance leases 39 Total $ 2,596 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,954 Finance leases 65 Total $ 2,019 Average lease term and discount rate as of May 31, 2020 were as follows: May 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 20.8 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.91 % Finance leases 5.41 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of May 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 24 $ 859 2021 95 3,390 2022 93 3,244 2023 93 3,091 2024 92 2,943 2025 90 2,770 Later 1,212 15,057 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,699 $ 31,354 Less: Present value discount (644) (7,123) Lease liability $ 1,055 $ 24,231
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land and equipment. For leases in the United States, the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,609 Operating lease obligations - current 2,288 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,943 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,231 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 770 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 47 Other non-current liabilities 1,008 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,055 Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, 2020 Nine months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 827 $ 2,496 Variable 1 167 595 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 29 Interest 14 42 Sublease income (25) (56) Impairment of right-of-use assets 2 170 182 Impairment of finance lease assets 2 21 24 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 3 84 224 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, total impairments include $153 million and $166 million, respectively, related to Transformational Cost Management and Store Optimization programs. See note 3, exit and disposal activities. 3 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Nine months ended May 31, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 2,521 Operating cash flows from finance leases 36 Financing cash flows from finance leases 39 Total $ 2,596 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,954 Finance leases 65 Total $ 2,019 Average lease term and discount rate as of May 31, 2020 were as follows: May 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 20.8 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.91 % Finance leases 5.41 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of May 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 24 $ 859 2021 95 3,390 2022 93 3,244 2023 93 3,091 2024 92 2,943 2025 90 2,770 Later 1,212 15,057 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,699 $ 31,354 Less: Present value discount (644) (7,123) Lease liability $ 1,055 $ 24,231

Equity method investments

Equity method investments	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	Equity method investments Equity method investments as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions, except percentages): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 5,412 28% $ 5,211 27% Others 1,621 8% - 50% 1,640 8% - 50% Total $ 7,033 $ 6,851 AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) investment As of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, the Company owned 56,854,868 AmerisourceBergen common shares, representing approximately 28% and 27%, respectively, of its outstanding common stock, based on the most recent share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen. The Company accounts for its equity investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, with the net earnings attributable to the Company’s investment being classified within the operating income of its Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. Due to the timing and availability of financial information of AmerisourceBergen, the Company accounts for this equity method investment on a financial reporting lag of two months. Equity earnings from AmerisourceBergen are reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The financial performance of AmerisourceBergen, including any charges which may arise relating to its ongoing opioid litigation, will impact the Company's results of operations. The Level 1 fair market value of the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen common stock at May 31, 2020 was $5.4 billion. As of May 31, 2020, the Company’s investment in AmerisourceBergen carrying value exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of AmerisourceBergen by $4.4 billion. This premium of $4.4 billion was recognized as part of the carrying value in the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen. The difference was primarily related to goodwill and the fair value of AmerisourceBergen intangible assets. Other investments The Company’s other equity method investments include its investments in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the Company’s pharmaceutical wholesale investments in China; its investment in Sinopharm Medicine Holding Guoda Drugstores Co., Ltd., the Company's retail pharmacy investment in China, the Company's investment in BioScrip (resulting from its merger with Option Care Inc.), PharMerica Corporation and Shields Health Solutions in the United States. The Company reported $7 million of post-tax equity earnings and $5 million of post-tax equity loss from other equity method investments, including equity method investments classified as operating, for the three months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively. The Company reported $14 million and $19 million of post-tax equity earnings from other equity method investments, including equity method investments classified as operating, for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively. During the three months ended May 31, 2020, the Company recorded within other income (expense) an impairment of $71 million in its other equity method investments using a fair value based on level 1 inputs.

Goodwill and other intangible a

Goodwill and other intangible assets	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible asset below its carrying value. During the three months ended May 31, 2020, the Company completed a quantitative impairment analysis for goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangible assets related to its two reporting units within Retail Pharmacy International division, Boots and Other international, as a result of the significant impact of COVID-19 on their financial performance. Based on this analysis, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1.7 billion on Boots goodwill and $0.3 billion on certain indefinite-lived Boots tradename assets. As of May 31, 2020, Other international reporting unit's fair value was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 6% compared to 16% based on the June 1, 2019 valuation date. The fair values of the indefinite-lived tradename intangibles within the Boots reporting unit exceeded their carrying value amounts ranging from approximately 2.5% to approximately 26.5%, except for certain Boots tradename assets impaired during the three months ended May 31, 2020 and pharmacy licenses impaired during the year ended August 31, 2019. As of May 31, 2020, the carrying values of goodwill were $1.0 billion and $0.5 billion for Boots reporting unit and Other international reporting unit, respectively. As of May 31, 2020, the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangibles within the Boots reporting unit was $6.7 billion. As part of the Company’s impairment analysis, fair value of a reporting unit is determined using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including the projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and discount rates considering the impact of COVID-19, among other potential impacts. The market approach estimates fair value using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions including the business and financial performance of the Company’s reporting units, as well as how such performance may be impacted by COVID-19. These estimates and assumptions primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies, control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in the industries in which we compete, discount rates, terminal growth rates, and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation, amortization and capital expenditures, including considering the impact of COVID-19. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized and the asset is written down to its estimated fair value. Indefinite-lived intangible assets fair values are estimated using the relief from royalty method and excess earnings method of the income approach. The determination of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangibles requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include, but are not limited to: forecasts of revenue, the selection of appropriate royalty rate and discount rates. Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions, including the impact of COVID-19, could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units and indefinite-lived intangibles, the amount of any goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment charges, or both. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the impact of COVID-19, its severity, duration and its impact on global economies, general economic conditions as well as our profitability. The Company will continue to monitor these potential impacts, including the impact of COVID-19 and economic, industry and market trends and the impact these may have on Boots and Other international reporting units. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that a certain asset or asset group may be impaired. During the three month ended May 31, 2020, the Company evaluated certain purchasing and payer contracts for impairment resulting in impairment charge of $32 million. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions): Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2019 $ 10,491 $ 3,179 $ 2,890 $ 16,560 Acquisitions 63 — — 63 Impairment 1 — (1,675) — (1,675) Currency translation adjustments — (9) 9 — May 31, 2020 $ 10,554 $ 1,495 $ 2,900 $ 14,948 1 Recorded within Selling, general and administrative expenses. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 4,252 $ 4,290 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 59 654 Trade names and trademarks 436 461 Purchasing and payer contracts 341 382 Total gross amortizable intangible assets 5,088 5,787 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 1,405 $ 1,262 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 26 410 Trade names and trademarks 248 250 Purchasing and payer contracts 108 99 Total accumulated amortization 1,787 2,021 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 3,301 $ 3,766 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 4,997 $ 5,232 Pharmacy licenses 1,886 1,878 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 6,883 $ 7,110 Total intangible assets, net $ 10,183 $ 10,876 1 Transferred favorable lease interest to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Amortization expense for intangible assets were $112 million and $348 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively, and $142 million and $415 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019, respectively. Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at May 31, 2020 is as follows (in millions): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 428 $ 410 $ 376 $ 357 $ 326

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,193 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 1,139 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 494 — Other 5 554 464 Total short-term debt $ 4,379 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $1.5 billion note issuance 3,4 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 $ 497 $ — 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 990 — $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,891 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,248 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,993 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 495 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 369 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 830 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,198 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 12,111 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $1.5 billion, $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of May 31, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $1.5 billion and $1.5 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.6 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the May 31, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of May 31, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities. $1.5 Billion Note Issuance On April 15, 2020, the Company issued in an underwritten public offering $0.5 billion of 3.20% notes due 2030 and $1.0 billion of 4.10% notes due 2050. Total issuance costs relating to the notes, including underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses were $13.3 million. April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement On April 7, 2020, the Company entered into a $500 million revolving credit agreement (the “April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with WBA Financial Services Limited, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“WBAFSL”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364-days from April 7, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement . The Company and WBAFSL will be the borrowers under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company will provide a guarantee of any obligations of WBAFSL under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. April 2020 Revolving Bilateral and Club Credit Agreements The Company entered into a $750 million revolving credit agreement on April 1, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement”) and a $1.325 billion revolving credit agreement on April 2, 2020 (the “April 2020 Revolving Club Credit Agreement” and together with the April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement, the “Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) March 31, 2021 (which date shall be shortened pursuant to the terms of the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement if the Company does not extend the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enter into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement ) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreements. August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into three $500 million revolving credit agreements (together, the “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements” and each individually, an “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements are senior unsecured revolving credit facilities, with facility termination dates of the earlier of (a) 18 months following August 30, 2019, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements. January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit agreement (as extended, the “January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364 days following January 31, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an Extension Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) relating to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Mizuho, as administrative agent. The Extension Agreement extends the Maturity Date (as defined in the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement) for an additional period of 364 days to January 28, 2021. Such extension became effective on January 30, 2020. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement On December 21, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement (the “December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 18 months following January 28, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were $0.1 billion of borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement On December 5, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on August 9, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement (such credit agreement as so amended, the “December 2018 Credit Agreement”) to permit the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow amounts borrowed thereunder prior to the maturity date. On April 2, 2020, the Company amended and restated the December 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so amended and restated, the “A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement”). The A &R December 2018 Credit Agreement governs a $2.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, consisting of the initial $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving facility previously governed by the December 2018 Credit Agreement and a new $1.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021 (which date shall be extended to February 26, 2021 or July 31, 2021 pursuant to the terms of the A &R December 2018 Credit Agreement if the Company extends the maturity date of certain of its existing credit agreements or enters into new bank or bond financings with a certain maturity date and above an aggregate principal amount as described in the A &R December 2018 Credit Agreement ) and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the A &R December 2018 Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement. Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement with the lenders from time to time party thereto, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement (such credit agreement as so amended, the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto, and on April 2, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to the November 2018 Credit Agreement (such credit agreement as so further amended, the “Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement”) which second amendment became effective as of May 29, 2020. As of May 29, 2020, the $500 million revolving credit facility portion of the November 2018 Credit Agreement was converted into a term loan facility, such that the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement consists of a $1.0 billion senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) May 29, 2021 and (b) the date of acceleration of all loans under the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement pursuant to its terms. As of May 31, 2020, there were $1.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under the Amended November 2018 Credit Agreement. August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement On August 29, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders and letter of credit issuers from time to time party thereto. The August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is an unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate commitment in the amount of $3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $0.5 billion. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) August 29, 2023, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of May 31, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. Debt covenants Each of the Company’s credit facilities described above contain a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60:1.00, subject to increase in certain circumstances set forth in the applicable credit agreement. The credit facilities contain various other customary covenants. Commercial paper The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may borrow under it in future periods. The Company had average daily commercial paper outstanding of $2.6 billion and $2.6 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 2.33% and 3.08% for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively. Interest Interest paid was $510 million and $570 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019, respectively.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial instruments	Financial instruments The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks. The Company has non-U.S. dollar denominated net investments and uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt, to hedge its foreign currency risk. The notional amounts and fair value of derivative instruments outstanding were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 1,000 $ 88 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 100 9 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 150 9 Other current assets Interest rate swaps 1,000 8 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 278 7 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards 2,831 102 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 1,025 21 Other current liabilities Total return swap 185 — Other current liabilities August 31, 2019 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges : Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 800 $ 73 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 18 1 Other current assets Derivatives not designated as hedges : Foreign currency forwards 3,485 87 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 707 6 Other current liabilities Net investment hedges The Company uses cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign currency forwards as hedges of net investments in subsidiaries with non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. For qualifying net investment hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in the currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Cash flow hedges The Company uses interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in forecasted cash flows of certain floating-rate debt. For qualifying cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and released to the Consolidated Statements of Earnings when the hedged cash flows affect earnings. Derivatives not designated as hedges The Company enters into derivative transactions that are not designated as accounting hedges. These derivative instruments are economic hedges of foreign currency risks. The Company also utilizes total return swaps to economically hedge variability in compensation charges related to certain deferred compensation obligations. The income (expenses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 72 $ 140 $ 11 $ 80 Total return swap Selling, general and administrative expenses 5 — 5 — Foreign currency forwards Other income (expense) 2 (8) 6 (10) Derivatives credit risk Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of each counterparty. Derivatives offsetting The Company does not offset the fair value amounts of derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs. Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 77 $ 77 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 1 1 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 111 — 111 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 97 — 97 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 28 — 28 — Interest rate swaps 4 8 — 8 — August 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 217 $ 217 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 5 5 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 88 — 88 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 73 — 73 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 6 — 6 — 1 Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor. 2 Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019. 3 The fair value of forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. 4 The fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. There were no transfers between Levels for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020. The Company reports its debt instruments under the guidance of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which requires disclosure of the fair value of the Company’s debt in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, the fair value for all notes was determined based upon quoted market prices and therefore categorized as Level 1. See note 7, debt, for further information. The carrying values of accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	Commitments and contingencies The Company is involved in legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration and other claims, and investigations, inspections, subpoenas, audits, claims, inquiries and similar actions by pharmacy, healthcare, tax and other governmental authorities, arising in the normal course of the Company’s business, including the matters described below. Legal proceedings, in general, and securities, class action and multi-district litigation, in particular, can be expensive and disruptive. Some of these suits may purport or may be determined to be class actions and/or involve parties seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages, and may remain unresolved for several years. From time to time, the Company is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving antitrust, tax, contract, intellectual property and other matters. Gain contingencies, if any, are recognized when they are realized. Like other companies in the retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesale industries, the Company is subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local government agencies in the United States and other countries in which it operates. There continues to be a heightened level of review and/or audit by regulatory authorities of, and increased litigation regarding, the Company’s and the rest of the health care and related industry’s business, compliance and reporting practices. As a result, the Company regularly is the subject of government actions of the types described above. The Company also may be named from time to time in qui tam actions initiated by private third parties. In such actions, the private parties purport to act on behalf of federal or state governments, allege that false claims have been submitted for payment by the government and may receive an award if their claims are successful. After a private party has filed a qui tam action, the government must investigate the private party's claim and determine whether to intervene in and take control over the litigation. These actions may remain under seal while the government makes this determination. If the government declines to intervene, the private party may nonetheless continue to pursue the litigation on his or her own purporting to act on behalf of the government. The results of legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in these matters can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. With respect to litigation and other legal proceedings where the Company has determined that a loss is reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss due to the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of and uncertainties regarding such litigation and legal proceedings. The Company believes that its defenses and assertions in pending legal proceedings have merit and does not believe that any of these pending matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, substantial unanticipated verdicts, fines and rulings do sometimes occur. As a result, the Company could from time to time incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and/or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid. In addition, as a result of governmental investigations or proceedings, the Company may be subject to damages, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including the possible suspension or loss of licensure and/or suspension or exclusion from participation in government programs. On December 29, 2014, a putative shareholder filed a derivative action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against certain current and former directors and officers of Walgreen Co., and Walgreen Co. as a nominal defendant, arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. The action asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste and unjust enrichment. On April 10, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On May 18, 2015, the case was stayed in light of a securities class action that was filed on April 10, 2015. After a ruling issued on September 30, 2016 in the securities class action, which is described below, on November 3, 2016, the Court entered a stipulation and order extending the stay until the resolution of the securities class action. On April 10, 2015, a putative shareholder filed a securities class action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against Walgreen Co. and certain former officers of Walgreen Co. The action asserts claims for violation of the federal securities laws arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. On June 16, 2015, the Court entered an order appointing a lead plaintiff. Pursuant to the Court’s order, lead plaintiff filed a consolidated class action complaint on August 17, 2015, and defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on October 16, 2015. On September 30, 2016, the Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Defendants filed their answer to the complaint on November 4, 2016 and filed an amended answer on January 16, 2017. Plaintiff filed its motion for class certification on April 21, 2017. The Court granted plaintiffs’ motion on March 29, 2018. On December 19, 2018, plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint and defendants moved to dismiss the new complaint on February 19, 2019. On September 23, 2019, the Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Discovery is proceeding. On December 11, 2017, purported Rite Aid shareholders filed an amended complaint in a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (the “M.D. Pa. action”) arising out of transactions contemplated by the merger agreement between the Company and Rite Aid. The amended complaint alleged that the Company and certain of its officers made false or misleading statements regarding the transactions. The Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint on April 15, 2019. The Company filed an answer and affirmative defenses, discovery commenced, and the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification. In June 2019, a Fred’s, Inc. shareholder filed a nearly identical lawsuit to the M.D. Pa. action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, except naming Fred’s, Inc. and one of its former officers along with the Company and certain of its officers. Lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on November 4, 2019, which is substantially the same as the original complaint. The Company's motion to dismiss to the amended complaint is fully briefed and awaits the Court's ruling. As previously disclosed, the Company was also named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit similar to the M.D. Pa. action filed in State of Pennsylvania in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, which was terminated by the court for lack of prosecution in November 2018. In December 2017, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases filed against an array of defendants by various plaintiffs such as counties, cities, hospitals, Indian tribes and others, alleging claims generally concerning the impacts of widespread opioid abuse. The consolidated multidistrict litigation (“MDL”), captioned In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804), is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ("N.D. Ohio"). The Company is named as a defendant in a subset of the cases included in this MDL. The first bellwether trial in the MDL, which had been scheduled for October 2019, was terminated. The MDL court selected several new bellwether cases, including three involving the Company: (1) one to remain in N.D. Ohio, scheduled for trial in November 2020; (2) one to be remanded to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia; and (3) one to be remanded to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Plaintiffs in the West Virginia action subsequently severed their claims against the Company from that matter, and plaintiffs in another bellwether case remanded to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California have added the Company to that case. Subsequently, the MDL court created another bellwether case involving the Company to proceed in N.D. Ohio, scheduled for trial in May 2021. The Company also has been named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits brought in state courts relating to opioid matters. The relief sought by various plaintiffs is compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, the Company has received from the Department of Justice and the Attorney Generals of numerous states subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and/or other requests concerning opioid matters. A meeting between representatives of the Company and the DOJ was held in June 2020 with respect to alleged violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and the federal False Claims Act in dispensing prescription at certain Walgreens locations. As discussed above, legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs and penalties incurred in these matters can be substantial. On January 22, 2019, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to resolve a civil investigation involving allegations under the False Claims Act by a United States Attorney’s Office, working in conjunction with several states, regarding certain dispensing practices. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid $209 million to the United States and the various states involved in the matter, substantially all of which was reserved for in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of November 30, 2018.

Income taxes

Income taxes	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 was 2.3% and 73.8%, respectively, compared to 13.0% and 14.7% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2020 reflects a tax benefit on a pretax loss and was primarily due to non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 reflects a tax expense on pretax income and was primarily due to non-deductible goodwill impairment charge. Income taxes paid for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 were $604 million, compared to $824 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2019. On December 2, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations relating to the base erosion and anti-avoidance tax (“BEAT”) provisions and the foreign tax credit regime under the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. The Company has evaluated the impact of the regulations and determined that there is no material impact to its financial statements. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States, which includes several provisions related to income taxes. The Company has evaluated the impact of the legislation and determined that while there is an impact on the timing of cash flow, there is no material impact to its financial results.

Retirement benefits

Retirement benefits	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Retirement benefits	Retirement benefits The Company sponsors several retirement plans, including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and a postretirement health plan. Defined benefit pension plans (non-U.S. plans) The Company has various defined benefit pension plans outside the United States. The principal defined benefit pension plan is the Boots Pension Plan (the “Boots Plan”), which covers certain employees in the United Kingdom. The Boots Plan is a funded final salary defined benefit plan providing pensions and death benefits to members. The Boots Plan was closed to future accrual effective July 1, 2010, with pensions calculated based on salaries up until that date. The Boots Plan is governed by a trustee board, which is independent of the Company. The plan is subject to a full funding actuarial valuation on a triennial basis. Components of net periodic pension costs for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 2 $ 4 $ 4 Interest costs Other income 35 49 107 148 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (69) (61) (214) (186) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (33) $ (10) $ (103) $ (34) The Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $26 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, which primarily related to committed funded payments. The Company plans to contribute an additional $8 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2020. Defined contribution plans The principal retirement plan for U.S. employees is the Walgreen Profit-Sharing Retirement Trust, to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The Company’s contribution is in the form of a guaranteed match which is made pursuant to the applicable plan document approved by the Walgreen Co. Board of Directors. Plan activity is reviewed periodically by certain Committees of the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors. The profit-sharing provision was an expense of $57 million and $171 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively, compared to an expense of $58 million and $183 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2019, respectively.

Accumulated other comprehensive

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component and net of tax for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (4) (8) 59 (18) (482) (453) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 1 — — — (1) Tax benefit (provision) 4 2 (13) 3 (5) (9) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (5) 46 (15) (487) (463) Balance at May 31, 2020 $ (59) $ (29) $ 80 $ (16) $ (3,847) $ (3,871) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ (48) $ (24) $ 55 $ 3 $ (3,884) $ (3,897) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (12) (9) 31 (23) 39 26 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 4 — — — 1 Tax benefit (provision) 4 1 (6) 3 (2) — Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (11) (4) 25 (20) 37 27 Balance at May 31, 2020 $ (59) $ (29) $ 80 $ (16) $ (3,847) $ (3,871) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 1 2 54 1 (733) (675) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4) 1 — — — (2) Tax benefit (provision) 1 (1) (13) — 1 (12) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) 3 41 1 (732) (689) Balance at May 31, 2019 $ 93 $ (25) $ 29 $ 4 $ (3,493) $ (3,393) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2018 $ 101 $ (30) $ — $ 3 $ (3,076) $ (3,002) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 1 1 39 (1) (415) (376) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (12) 4 — — — (8) Tax benefit (provision) 3 — (10) — (1) (8) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (8) 4 29 (1) (416) (393) Balance at May 31, 2019 $ 93 $ (25) $ 29 $ 4 $ (3,493) $ (3,393) 1 Previously disclosed as Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges.

Segment reporting

Segment reporting	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment reporting	Segment reporting The Company has aligned its operations into three reportable segments: Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International and Pharmaceutical Wholesale. The operating segments have been identified based on the financial data utilized by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the chief operating decision maker) to assess segment performance and allocate resources among the Company’s operating segments. The chief operating decision maker uses adjusted operating income to assess segment profitability. The chief operating decision maker does not use total assets by segment to make decisions regarding resources; therefore, the total asset disclosure by segment has not been included. Retail Pharmacy USA The Retail Pharmacy USA segment consists of the Walgreens business, which includes the operation of retail drugstores and mail and central specialty pharmacy services. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and a wide assortment of retail products, including health and wellness, beauty and personal care and consumables and general merchandise. Retail Pharmacy International The Retail Pharmacy International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses and optical practices. These businesses include Boots branded stores in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands, Benavides in Mexico and Ahumada in Chile. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty and personal care and other consumer products. Pharmaceutical Wholesale The Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment consists of the Alliance Healthcare pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution businesses and an equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Wholesale operations are located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Egypt, Norway, Romania, Czech Republic and Lithuania. Sales for the segment are principally derived from wholesaling and distribution of a comprehensive offering of brand-name pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products) and generic pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, home healthcare supplies and equipment and related services to pharmacies and other healthcare providers. The results of operations for each reportable segment includes procurement benefits and an allocation of corporate-related overhead costs. The “Eliminations” lines contain items not allocable to the reportable segments, as the information is not utilized by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The following table reflects results of operations of the Company's reportable segments (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 27,357 $ 26,513 $ 80,734 $ 78,491 Retail Pharmacy International 1,903 2,776 7,704 8,759 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 5,899 5,865 17,971 17,311 Eliminations 1 (527) (563) (1,618) (1,649) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 34,631 $ 34,591 $ 104,791 $ 102,912 Adjusted Operating income: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 792 $ 1,286 $ 3,215 $ 4,119 Retail Pharmacy International (143) 165 133 553 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 271 265 735 710 Eliminations 1 — 1 2 1 Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 919 $ 1,717 $ 4,085 $ 5,384 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Adjusted operating income $ 919 $ 1,717 $ 4,085 $ 5,384 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (2,001) — (2,001) — Transformational cost management (315) (86) (524) (265) Acquisition-related amortization (112) (127) (348) (373) Acquisition-related costs (68) (80) (291) (228) LIFO provision (29) (29) (90) (77) Store damage and inventory losses 1 (75) — (75) — Store optimization (10) (49) (49) (99) Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen 105 (137) (47) (191) Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements — (7) — (31) Operating income $ (1,584) $ 1,203 $ 662 $ 4,120 1 Store damage and inventory losses as a result of looting in the U.S. during May 2020.

Sales

Sales	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Sales	Sales The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by segment and by major source (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Pharmacy $ 20,478 $ 19,585 $ 60,084 $ 57,624 Retail 6,878 6,928 20,650 20,867 Total 27,357 26,513 80,734 78,491 Retail Pharmacy International Pharmacy 927 1,047 2,954 3,096 Retail 975 1,730 4,750 5,662 Total 1,903 2,776 7,704 8,759 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 5,899 5,865 17,971 17,311 Eliminations 1 (527) (563) (1,618) (1,649) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 34,631 $ 34,591 $ 104,791 $ 102,912 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. Contract balances with customers Contract liabilities primarily represent the Company’s obligation to transfer additional goods or services to a customer for which the Company has received consideration, for example the Company’s Balance Rewards® and Boots Advantage Card loyalty programs. Under such programs, customers earn reward points on purchases for redemption at a later date. See note 18, supplemental information, for further information on receivables from contracts with customers.

Related parties

Related parties	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related parties	Related parties The Company has a long-term pharmaceutical distribution agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which the Company sources branded and generic pharmaceutical products from AmerisourceBergen principally for its U.S. operations. Additionally, AmerisourceBergen receives sourcing services for generic pharmaceutical products. Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Purchases, net $ 15,081 $ 14,684 $ 44,489 $ 43,070 May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,574 $ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
New accounting pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Financial instruments - hedging and derivatives In October 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. This ASU permits use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Intangibles – goodwill and other – internal-use software In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU addresses customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also adds certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company early adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Contributions made In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made (Topic 958). This ASU clarifies and improves guidance about whether a transfer of assets (or reduction of liabilities) is a contribution or an exchange transaction, and whether a contribution is conditional. The ASU applies to all entities, including business entities, that receive or make contributions of cash or other assets, including promises to give. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Compensation – stock compensation In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU eliminated most of the differences between accounting guidance for share-based compensation granted to nonemployees and the guidance for share-based compensation granted to employees. The ASU supersedes the guidance for nonemployees and expands the scope of the guidance for employees to include both. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Accounting for reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU addresses the income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) which were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than in income from continuing operations. Specifically, it permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate resulting from the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. It also requires certain disclosures about these reclassifications. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The Company elected not to reclassify the income tax effects of change in historical corporate tax rate from AOCI to retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and applied the new standard to all leases through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. As a result, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allows the carryforward of historical lease classification. The adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in recognition of lease liabilities of $24 billion and recognition of right-of-use assets of $22 billion net of liabilities for facility closing, deferred rent, favorable lease interest intangible asset, unfavorable lease interest liability, lease incentives and prepaid rent as of August 31, 2019. The adoption also resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of $0.4 billion due to transition date impairment of right-of-use assets related to previously impaired long-lived assets of $0.8 billion, net of tax, partially offset by de-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale-leaseback transactions of $0.4 billion, net of tax. See note 4. Leases for further information. The following is the Company’s lease accounting policy under the new lease accounting standard: The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract. The lease classification is determined at the commencement date. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease during the lease term. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments during the lease term. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the Company's estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term as the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include lease payments made before commencement, exclude lease incentives and are recorded net of impairment. Operating leases are expensed on a straight line basis over the lease term. Initial terms for leased premises in the United States are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options at five The Company accounts for lease components and non-lease components as a single lease component. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease such as increases in lease payments based on changes in index rates or usage, are not included in the right-of-use assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred. The Company has real estate leases which require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs and hence are not included in the lease payments used to calculate lease liability. Other real estate leases contain one fixed lease payment that includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The Company does not separately account for the land portion of the leases involving land and building. Finance leases are recognized within property, plant and equipment and as a finance lease liability within accrued expenses and other liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities. The Company performs impairment testing for its long-lived assets at asset group level. Retail store is considered as the asset group, which includes plant, property and equipment, operating and finance right-of-use assets as well as operating lease liability in the store. The asset group is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets $ 1,118 $ (123) $ 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity $ 67,598 $ 21,524 $ 89,122 According to the guidance provided in the FASB staff Q&A Topic 842 Leases – Accounting for lease concessions related to the effects of COVID-19, released on April 2020, the Company elected to account for certain lease concessions related to COVID-19 as a reduction to rent expense for the period. During the three months ended May 31, 2020, these rent concessions related to COVID-19 were not material. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides optional expedient and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In response to the concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates ("IBORs") and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The ASU provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The ASU can be adopted no later than December 1, 2022 (fiscal year 2023) with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Financial Instruments In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-03. This ASU improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses ("CECL") standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments have different effective dates. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Investments - equity securities; Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify the interaction between the accounting for investments in equity securities, investment in equity method and certain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Supplemental information

Supplemental information	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental information	Supplemental information Accounts receivable Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances primarily consist of trade receivables due from customers, including amounts due from third party providers (e.g., pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies and governmental agencies), clients and members. Trade receivables were $5.8 billion and $6.0 billion at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. Other accounts receivable balances, which consist primarily of receivables from vendors and manufacturers, including receivables from AmerisourceBergen (see note 16, related parties), were $1.2 billion and $1.2 billion at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. Depreciation and amortization The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Depreciation expense $ 365 $ 379 $ 1,099 $ 1,096 Intangible asset and other amortization 112 142 348 415 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 477 $ 522 $ 1,447 $ 1,512 Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment was $12.1 billion at May 31, 2020 and $11.3 billion at August 31, 2019. Restricted cash The Company is required to maintain cash deposits with certain banks which consist of deposits restricted under contractual agency agreements and cash restricted by law and other obligations. As of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, the amount of such restricted cash was $175 million and $184 million, respectively, and is reported in other current assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 768 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 175 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 943 $ 1,207 Earnings per share The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options on earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Stock options are anti-dilutive and excluded from the earnings per share calculation if the exercise price exceeds the average market price of the common shares. There were 20.5 million outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the third quarter earnings per share calculation as of May 31, 2020 compared to 17.0 million as of May 31, 2019. Due to the anti-dilutive effect resulting from the reported net loss, an incremental 0.7 million of potentially dilutive securities were omitted from the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding for the three months ended May 31, 2020. The impact of these potentially dilutive securities were included in the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended May 31, 2020. Cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2020 2019 November $ 0.4575 $ 0.4400 February 0.4575 0.4400 May 0.4575 0.4400 $ 1.37 $ 1.32

Subsequent event

Subsequent event	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent event	Subsequent eventOn July 8, 2020, the Company announced that it will invest $1 billion in equity and convertible debt in VillageMD over the next three years including $250 million equity investment completed on July 8, 2020, subject to the terms of the agreement. The Company will continue to account for its equity investment in VillageMD using the equity method of accounting.

Accounting policies (Policies)

Accounting policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity investments in less than majority-owned companies if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) has severely impacted the economies of the U.S., the UK and other countries around the world. The impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s businesses, financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended May 31, 2020, as well as information regarding certain expected or potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, is discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. The Company bases its estimates on the information available at the time, its experiences and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances including estimates of the impact of COVID-19. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors discussed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q including, but not limited to, the severity and duration of COVID-19, the extent to which it will impact our customers, team members, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. The Company assessed certain accounting matters that require consideration of estimates and assumptions in context with the information reasonably available to the Company and the unknown future impacts of COVID-19 as of May 31, 2020 and through the date of this report. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the Company’s carrying value of goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets including operating lease right-of-use assets. These estimates and assumptions, including the severity and duration of COVID-19, resulted in a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended May 31, 2020. Refer to note 6, goodwill and other intangible assets for details. The Company’s future assessment of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods. Adjustments may be made in subsequent periods to reflect more current estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results may differ. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. The impact of COVID-19, the influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, changes in laws and general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and other factors on the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period may not be comparable to the same period in previous years.
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements; New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted	Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Financial instruments - hedging and derivatives In October 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. This ASU permits use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Intangibles – goodwill and other – internal-use software In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU addresses customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also adds certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company early adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Contributions made In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made (Topic 958). This ASU clarifies and improves guidance about whether a transfer of assets (or reduction of liabilities) is a contribution or an exchange transaction, and whether a contribution is conditional. The ASU applies to all entities, including business entities, that receive or make contributions of cash or other assets, including promises to give. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Compensation – stock compensation In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU eliminated most of the differences between accounting guidance for share-based compensation granted to nonemployees and the guidance for share-based compensation granted to employees. The ASU supersedes the guidance for nonemployees and expands the scope of the guidance for employees to include both. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Accounting for reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU addresses the income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) which were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than in income from continuing operations. Specifically, it permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate resulting from the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. It also requires certain disclosures about these reclassifications. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The Company elected not to reclassify the income tax effects of change in historical corporate tax rate from AOCI to retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and applied the new standard to all leases through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. As a result, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allows the carryforward of historical lease classification. The adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in recognition of lease liabilities of $24 billion and recognition of right-of-use assets of $22 billion net of liabilities for facility closing, deferred rent, favorable lease interest intangible asset, unfavorable lease interest liability, lease incentives and prepaid rent as of August 31, 2019. The adoption also resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of $0.4 billion due to transition date impairment of right-of-use assets related to previously impaired long-lived assets of $0.8 billion, net of tax, partially offset by de-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale-leaseback transactions of $0.4 billion, net of tax. See note 4. Leases for further information. The following is the Company’s lease accounting policy under the new lease accounting standard: The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract. The lease classification is determined at the commencement date. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease during the lease term. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments during the lease term. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the Company's estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term as the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include lease payments made before commencement, exclude lease incentives and are recorded net of impairment. Operating leases are expensed on a straight line basis over the lease term. Initial terms for leased premises in the United States are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options at five The Company accounts for lease components and non-lease components as a single lease component. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease such as increases in lease payments based on changes in index rates or usage, are not included in the right-of-use assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred. The Company has real estate leases which require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs and hence are not included in the lease payments used to calculate lease liability. Other real estate leases contain one fixed lease payment that includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The Company does not separately account for the land portion of the leases involving land and building. Finance leases are recognized within property, plant and equipment and as a finance lease liability within accrued expenses and other liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities. The Company performs impairment testing for its long-lived assets at asset group level. Retail store is considered as the asset group, which includes plant, property and equipment, operating and finance right-of-use assets as well as operating lease liability in the store. The asset group is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets $ 1,118 $ (123) $ 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity $ 67,598 $ 21,524 $ 89,122 According to the guidance provided in the FASB staff Q&A Topic 842 Leases – Accounting for lease concessions related to the effects of COVID-19, released on April 2020, the Company elected to account for certain lease concessions related to COVID-19 as a reduction to rent expense for the period. During the three months ended May 31, 2020, these rent concessions related to COVID-19 were not material. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides optional expedient and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In response to the concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates ("IBORs") and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The ASU provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The ASU can be adopted no later than December 1, 2022 (fiscal year 2023) with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Financial Instruments In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-03. This ASU improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses ("CECL") standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments have different effective dates. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Investments - equity securities; Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify the interaction between the accounting for investments in equity securities, investment in equity method and certain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Exit and disposal activities (T

Exit and disposal activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 170 $ 3 $ — $ 173 Asset impairments 19 10 1 30 Employee severance and business transition costs 51 2 3 57 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 21 13 — 34 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 261 $ 27 $ 5 $ 294 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Nine months ended May 31, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 179 $ 4 $ 1 $ 184 Asset impairments 31 13 1 45 Employee severance and business transition costs 124 32 12 168 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 37 30 2 70 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 371 $ 80 $ 17 $ 467 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Three months ended May 31, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments $ 5 $ 16 $ 11 $ 32 Employee severance and other exit costs 7 5 11 24 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 13 $ 21 $ 22 $ 56 Nine months ended May 31, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments $ 5 $ 48 $ 96 $ 149 Employee severance and other exit costs 24 39 22 86 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 29 $ 88 $ 119 $ 235 Costs related to the Store Optimization Program for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Lease obligations and other real estate costs 1 $ 3 $ 44 $ 24 $ 45 Employee severance and other exit costs 7 5 25 54 Total costs $ 10 $ 49 $ 49 $ 99 1 Includes $13 million operating lease right-of-use impairments for the nine months ended May 31, 2020.
Change in Restructuring Liabilities	The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Asset Impairments Employee severance and business transition costs Information technology transformation and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 17 $ — $ 57 $ 4 $ 78 Costs 184 45 168 70 467 Payments (27) — (92) (31) (151) Other 1 (153) (45) 7 (13) (205) ASC 842 Leases adoption 2 (4) — — — (4) Currency — — — — — Balance at May 31, 2020 $ 17 $ — $ 140 $ 29 $ 186 1 Includes $153 million of impairments relating to operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets. Refer to note 4, leases for additional information. 2 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. The changes in liabilities related to the Store Optimization Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 407 $ 22 $ 429 Costs 24 25 49 Payments (32) (34) (67) Other 1 (13) (8) (21) ASC 842 Leases adoption 2 (378) — (378) Balance at May 31, 2020 $ 8 $ 4 $ 12 1 Includes $13 million operating lease right-of-use impairments for the nine months ended May 31, 2020. Refer to note 4, leases for additional information. 2 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information.

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Assets And Liabilities, Lessee	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,609 Operating lease obligations - current 2,288 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,943 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,231 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 770 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 47 Other non-current liabilities 1,008 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,055
Lease, Cost	Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, 2020 Nine months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 827 $ 2,496 Variable 1 167 595 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 29 Interest 14 42 Sublease income (25) (56) Impairment of right-of-use assets 2 170 182 Impairment of finance lease assets 2 21 24 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 3 84 224 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, total impairments include $153 million and $166 million, respectively, related to Transformational Cost Management and Store Optimization programs. See note 3, exit and disposal activities. 3 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Nine months ended May 31, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 2,521 Operating cash flows from finance leases 36 Financing cash flows from finance leases 39 Total $ 2,596 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,954 Finance leases 65 Total $ 2,019 Average lease term and discount rate as of May 31, 2020 were as follows: May 31, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 20.8 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.91 % Finance leases 5.41 %
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of May 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 24 $ 859 2021 95 3,390 2022 93 3,244 2023 93 3,091 2024 92 2,943 2025 90 2,770 Later 1,212 15,057 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,699 $ 31,354 Less: Present value discount (644) (7,123) Lease liability $ 1,055 $ 24,231
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of May 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 24 $ 859 2021 95 3,390 2022 93 3,244 2023 93 3,091 2024 92 2,943 2025 90 2,770 Later 1,212 15,057 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,699 $ 31,354 Less: Present value discount (644) (7,123) Lease liability $ 1,055 $ 24,231

Equity method investments (Tabl

Equity method investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	Equity method investments as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions, except percentages): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 5,412 28% $ 5,211 27% Others 1,621 8% - 50% 1,640 8% - 50% Total $ 7,033 $ 6,851

Goodwill and other intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions): Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2019 $ 10,491 $ 3,179 $ 2,890 $ 16,560 Acquisitions 63 — — 63 Impairment 1 — (1,675) — (1,675) Currency translation adjustments — (9) 9 — May 31, 2020 $ 10,554 $ 1,495 $ 2,900 $ 14,948 1 Recorded within Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 4,252 $ 4,290 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 59 654 Trade names and trademarks 436 461 Purchasing and payer contracts 341 382 Total gross amortizable intangible assets 5,088 5,787 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 1,405 $ 1,262 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 26 410 Trade names and trademarks 248 250 Purchasing and payer contracts 108 99 Total accumulated amortization 1,787 2,021 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 3,301 $ 3,766 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 4,997 $ 5,232 Pharmacy licenses 1,886 1,878 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 6,883 $ 7,110 Total intangible assets, net $ 10,183 $ 10,876 1 Transferred favorable lease interest to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information.
Schedule of Future Amortization Expense	Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at May 31, 2020 is as follows (in millions): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 428 $ 410 $ 376 $ 357 $ 326

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-Term Borrowings	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,193 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 1,139 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 494 — Other 5 554 464 Total short-term debt $ 4,379 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $1.5 billion note issuance 3,4 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 $ 497 $ — 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 990 — $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,891 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,248 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,993 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 495 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 369 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 830 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,198 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 12,111 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $1.5 billion, $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of May 31, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $1.5 billion and $1.5 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.6 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the May 31, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of May 31, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities.
Long-Term Debt	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,193 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 1,139 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 494 — Other 5 554 464 Total short-term debt $ 4,379 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $1.5 billion note issuance 3,4 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 $ 497 $ — 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 990 — $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,891 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,248 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,993 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 495 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 369 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 830 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,198 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 12,111 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $1.5 billion, $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of May 31, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $1.5 billion and $1.5 billion, $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.6 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the May 31, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of May 31, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities.

Financial instruments (Tables)

Financial instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional Amounts, Fair Value and Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivative Instruments Outstanding	The notional amounts and fair value of derivative instruments outstanding were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 1,000 $ 88 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 100 9 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 150 9 Other current assets Interest rate swaps 1,000 8 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 278 7 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards 2,831 102 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 1,025 21 Other current liabilities Total return swap 185 — Other current liabilities August 31, 2019 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges : Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 800 $ 73 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 18 1 Other current assets Derivatives not designated as hedges : Foreign currency forwards 3,485 87 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 707 6 Other current liabilities
Gains and (Losses) due to Changes in Fair Value Recognized in Earnings	The income (expenses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 72 $ 140 $ 11 $ 80 Total return swap Selling, general and administrative expenses 5 — 5 — Foreign currency forwards Other income (expense) 2 (8) 6 (10)

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions): May 31, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 77 $ 77 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 1 1 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 111 — 111 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 97 — 97 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 28 — 28 — Interest rate swaps 4 8 — 8 — August 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 217 $ 217 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 5 5 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 88 — 88 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 73 — 73 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 6 — 6 — 1 Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor. 2 Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019. 3 The fair value of forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. 4 The fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps and interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information.

Retirement benefits (Tables)

Retirement benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Components of net periodic pension costs for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 2 $ 4 $ 4 Interest costs Other income 35 49 107 148 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (69) (61) (214) (186) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (33) $ (10) $ (103) $ (34)

Accumulated other comprehensi_2

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component and net of tax for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (4) (8) 59 (18) (482) (453) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 1 — — — (1) Tax benefit (provision) 4 2 (13) 3 (5) (9) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (5) 46 (15) (487) (463) Balance at May 31, 2020 $ (59) $ (29) $ 80 $ (16) $ (3,847) $ (3,871) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ (48) $ (24) $ 55 $ 3 $ (3,884) $ (3,897) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (12) (9) 31 (23) 39 26 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 4 — — — 1 Tax benefit (provision) 4 1 (6) 3 (2) — Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (11) (4) 25 (20) 37 27 Balance at May 31, 2020 $ (59) $ (29) $ 80 $ (16) $ (3,847) $ (3,871) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 1 2 54 1 (733) (675) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4) 1 — — — (2) Tax benefit (provision) 1 (1) (13) — 1 (12) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) 3 41 1 (732) (689) Balance at May 31, 2019 $ 93 $ (25) $ 29 $ 4 $ (3,493) $ (3,393) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2018 $ 101 $ (30) $ — $ 3 $ (3,076) $ (3,002) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 1 1 39 (1) (415) (376) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (12) 4 — — — (8) Tax benefit (provision) 3 — (10) — (1) (8) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (8) 4 29 (1) (416) (393) Balance at May 31, 2019 $ 93 $ (25) $ 29 $ 4 $ (3,493) $ (3,393) 1 Previously disclosed as Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges.

Segment reporting (Tables)

Segment reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	The following table reflects results of operations of the Company's reportable segments (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 27,357 $ 26,513 $ 80,734 $ 78,491 Retail Pharmacy International 1,903 2,776 7,704 8,759 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 5,899 5,865 17,971 17,311 Eliminations 1 (527) (563) (1,618) (1,649) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 34,631 $ 34,591 $ 104,791 $ 102,912 Adjusted Operating income: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 792 $ 1,286 $ 3,215 $ 4,119 Retail Pharmacy International (143) 165 133 553 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 271 265 735 710 Eliminations 1 — 1 2 1 Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 919 $ 1,717 $ 4,085 $ 5,384 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Adjusted operating income $ 919 $ 1,717 $ 4,085 $ 5,384 Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (2,001) — (2,001) — Transformational cost management (315) (86) (524) (265) Acquisition-related amortization (112) (127) (348) (373) Acquisition-related costs (68) (80) (291) (228) LIFO provision (29) (29) (90) (77) Store damage and inventory losses 1 (75) — (75) — Store optimization (10) (49) (49) (99) Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen 105 (137) (47) (191) Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements — (7) — (31) Operating income $ (1,584) $ 1,203 $ 662 $ 4,120 1 Store damage and inventory losses as a result of looting in the U.S. during May 2020.

Sales (Tables)

Sales (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by segment and by major source (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Pharmacy $ 20,478 $ 19,585 $ 60,084 $ 57,624 Retail 6,878 6,928 20,650 20,867 Total 27,357 26,513 80,734 78,491 Retail Pharmacy International Pharmacy 927 1,047 2,954 3,096 Retail 975 1,730 4,750 5,662 Total 1,903 2,776 7,704 8,759 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 5,899 5,865 17,971 17,311 Eliminations 1 (527) (563) (1,618) (1,649) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 34,631 $ 34,591 $ 104,791 $ 102,912 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments.

Related parties (Tables)

Related parties (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Purchases, net $ 15,081 $ 14,684 $ 44,489 $ 43,070 May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,574 $ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements N

New accounting pronouncements New accounting pronouncements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets $ 1,118 $ (123) $ 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity $ 67,598 $ 21,524 $ 89,122

Supplemental information (Table

Supplemental information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization Expense	The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions): Three months ended May 31, Nine months ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Depreciation expense $ 365 $ 379 $ 1,099 $ 1,096 Intangible asset and other amortization 112 142 348 415 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 477 $ 522 $ 1,447 $ 1,512
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 768 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 175 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 943 $ 1,207
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of May 31, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 768 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 175 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 943 $ 1,207
Schedule of Dividends Payable	Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2020 2019 November $ 0.4575 $ 0.4400 February 0.4575 0.4400 May 0.4575 0.4400 $ 1.37 $ 1.32

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)distribution_center	May 31, 2020USD ($)distribution_center	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)distribution_center
Rite Aid Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 28
Number of distribution centers acquired | distribution_center			1
Number of distribution centers expected to be acquired | distribution_center	3	3
Rite Aid Corporation - Second and Third Distribution Center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business		$ 91
Number of distribution centers acquired | distribution_center	2	2
Rite Aid Corporation - First Distribution Center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business			$ 61
Retail Pharmacy USA
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 27	$ 166

Exit and disposal activities -

Exit and disposal activities - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions

Jul. 09, 2020USD ($)

Dec. 20, 2018USD ($)

Oct. 24, 2017store

Oct. 31, 2019USD ($)

Apr. 30, 2019USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)

May 31, 2020USD ($)store

Apr. 30, 2020USD ($)

Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)

Sep. 01, 2019USD ($)

Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)

May 31, 2019USD ($)

Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)

Aug. 31, 2018USD ($)

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Number of stores expected to close | store

600

750

Cumulative effect adjustment

$ 21,323

$ 24,334

$ 24,152

$ 24,771

$ 25,413

$ 26,689

Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Cumulative effect adjustment

0

(442)

(88)

Retained earnings

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Cumulative effect adjustment

34,244

36,351

35,815

$ 35,547

$ 34,928

33,551

Retained earnings | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Cumulative effect adjustment

$ 0

$ (400)

$ (442)

$ (88)

Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Costs incurred

$ 899

Transformational Cost Management Program | UNITED KINGDOM

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Number of stores expected to close | store

200

Transformational Cost Management Program | UNITED STATES

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Number of stores expected to close | store

200

Transformational Cost Management Program | Retained earnings | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Cumulative effect adjustment

$ (508)

Store Optimization Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

$ 375

$ 400

Costs incurred

345

Cost Transformation Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Decrease in restructuring reserve

382

Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Costs incurred

209

Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Store Optimization Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

185

Costs incurred

162

Asset impairments | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Costs incurred

305

Employee severance and business transition costs | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Costs incurred

293

Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Costs incurred

92

Employee severance and other exit costs | Store Optimization Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

190

Costs incurred

183

Minimum | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected annual cost savings of restructuring plan

$ 1,000

$ 1,800

$ 1,500

Expected cost

2,100

Minimum | Transformational Cost Management Program | Forecast

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected annual cost savings of restructuring plan

$ 2,000

Minimum | Store Optimization Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected annual cost savings of restructuring plan

$ 350

Minimum | Exit and disposal costs | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

1,800

Maximum | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

2,400

Maximum | Exit and disposal costs | Transformational Cost Management Program

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Expected cost

$ 2,100

Exit and disposal activities _2

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	$ 294	$ 56	$ 467	$ 235
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	261	13	371	29
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	27	21	80	88
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	5	22	17	119
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	173		184
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	170		179
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	3		4
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	0		1
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	30	32	45	149
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairments | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	19	5	31	5
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairments | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	10	16	13	48
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairments | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	1	11	1	96
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	57	24	168	86
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	51	7	124	24
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	2	5	32	39
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	3	11	12	22
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	34		70
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	21		37
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	13		30
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	0		2
Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	10	49	49	99
Store Optimization Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	3	44	24	45
Store Optimization Program | Employee severance and other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	$ 7	$ 5	$ 25	$ 54

Exit and disposal activities _3

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Reserve Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2020
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 78
Costs		467
Payments		(151)
Other		(205)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		(4)
Currency		0
Ending balance	$ 186	186
Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		429
Costs		49
Payments		(67)
Other		(21)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		(378)
Ending balance	12	12
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		17
Costs		184
Payments		(27)
Other	153	153
ASC 842 Leases adoption		(4)
Currency		0
Ending balance	17	17
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		407
Costs		24
Payments		(32)
Other		(13)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		(378)
Ending balance	8	8
Asset impairments | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		0
Costs		45
Payments		0
Other		(45)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		0
Currency		0
Ending balance	0	0
Employee severance and business transition costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		57
Costs		168
Payments		(92)
Other		7
ASC 842 Leases adoption		0
Currency		0
Ending balance	140	140
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		4
Costs		70
Payments		(31)
Other		(13)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		0
Currency		0
Ending balance	29	29
Employee severance and other exit costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		22
Costs		25
Payments		(34)
Other		(8)
ASC 842 Leases adoption		0
Ending balance	$ 4	$ 4

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	May 31, 2020
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Term of renewal contract	5 years
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Term of lease	15 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Term of lease	25 years

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Sep. 01, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Operating Leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 21,609	$ 22,000	$ 0
Operating lease obligations - current	2,288		0
Operating lease obligations - non current	21,943		$ 0
Total operating lease obligations	24,231	$ 24,000
Finance Leases:
Property, plant and equipment, net	770
Lease obligations included in:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	47
Other non-current liabilities	1,008
Total finance lease obligations	$ 1,055
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent

Leases - Components of Lease Co

Leases - Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2020
Operating lease cost
Fixed	$ 827	$ 2,496
Variable	167	595
Finance lease cost
Amortization	10	29
Interest	14	42
Sublease income	(25)	(56)
Impairment of right-of-use assets	170	182
Impairment of finance lease assets	21	24
Gains on sale-leaseback transactions	84	224
Transformational Cost Management and Store Optimization Programs | Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Finance lease cost
Total impairments	$ 153	$ 166

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 2,521
Operating cash flows from finance leases	36
Financing cash flows from finance leases	39
Total	2,596
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases	1,954
Finance leases	65
Total	$ 2,019

Leases - Average Lease Terms An

Leases - Average Lease Terms And Discounts (Details)	May 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term in years:
Operating leases	10 years 10 months 24 days
Finance leases	20 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases	4.91%
Finance leases	5.41%

Leases - Future Lease Payments

Leases - Future Lease Payments for Operating and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Sep. 01, 2019
Finance lease
2020 (Remaining period)	$ 24
2021	95
2022	93
2023	93
2024	92
2025	90
Later	1,212
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	1,699
Less: Present value discount	(644)
Lease liability	1,055
Operating lease
2020 (Remaining period)	859
2021	3,390
2022	3,244
2023	3,091
2024	2,943
2025	2,770
Later	15,057
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	31,354
Less: Present value discount	(7,123)
Operating lease liability	$ 24,231	$ 24,000

Equity method investments - Sch

Equity method investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 7,033	$ 6,851
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 5,412	$ 5,211
Ownership percentage	28.00%	27.00%
Others
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 1,621	$ 1,640
Others | Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	8.00%		8.00%
Others | Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Total
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 7,033	$ 6,851

Equity method investments - Nar

Equity method investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)			$ 297	$ 124
Impairment of equity method investments	$ 71
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding shares owned (in shares)	56,854,868		56,854,868		56,854,868
Ownership percentage	28.00%		28.00%		27.00%
Period of reporting lag			2 months
Equity investment, exceeded its proportionate share of net assets	$ 4,400		$ 4,400
AmerisourceBergen | Level 1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value of equity investment	5,400		5,400
Other Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 7	$ 5	$ 14	$ 19

Goodwill and other intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)segment	May 31, 2019USD ($)	May 31, 2020USD ($)segment	May 31, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting segments included in impairment analysis | segment	2		2
Goodwill impairment			$ (1,675)
Goodwill	$ 14,948		14,948		$ 16,560
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	6,883		6,883		$ 7,110
Impairment of definite-lived intangible assets	32
Amortization of intangible assets	112	$ 142	348	$ 415
Boots Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	(1,700)
Intangible asset impairment	300
Goodwill	1,000		1,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 6,700		$ 6,700
Boots Reporting Unit | Minimum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	2.50%		2.50%
Boots Reporting Unit | Maximum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	26.50%		26.50%
Retail Pharmacy International
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	6.00%		6.00%			16.00%
Goodwill	$ 500		$ 500

Goodwill and other intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	$ 16,560
Acquisitions	63
Impairment	(1,675)
Currency translation adjustments	0
Net book value - Ending Period	14,948
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	10,491
Acquisitions	63
Impairment	0
Currency translation adjustments	0
Net book value - Ending Period	10,554
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	3,179
Acquisitions	0
Impairment	(1,675)
Currency translation adjustments	(9)
Net book value - Ending Period	1,495
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	2,890
Acquisitions	0
Impairment	0
Currency translation adjustments	9
Net book value - Ending Period	$ 2,900

Goodwill and other intangible_5

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	$ 5,088	$ 5,787
Accumulated amortization	1,787	2,021
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	3,301	3,766
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	6,883	7,110
Total intangible assets, net	10,183	10,876
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	4,997	5,232
Pharmacy licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	1,886	1,878
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	4,252	4,290
Accumulated amortization	1,405	1,262
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	59	654
Accumulated amortization	26	410
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	436	461
Accumulated amortization	248	250
Purchasing and payer contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	341	382
Accumulated amortization	$ 108	$ 99

Goodwill and other intangible_6

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020USD ($)
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense [Abstract]
2021	$ 428
2022	410
2023	376
2024	357
2025	$ 326

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Apr. 15, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 4,379		$ 5,738
Total long-term debt, less current portion	12,111		11,098
Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other	24		25
Total long-term debt, less current portion	12,111		11,098
Unsecured Notes | 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 497		0
Stated interest rate	3.20%	3.20%
Unsecured Notes | 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 990		0
Stated interest rate	4.10%	4.10%
Unsecured Notes | 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 0		488
Stated interest rate	2.875%
Unsecured Notes | 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,891		1,890
Stated interest rate	3.45%
Unsecured Notes | 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 591		591
Stated interest rate	4.65%
Unsecured Notes | 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,248		1,247
Stated interest rate	3.30%
Unsecured Notes | 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,993		1,992
Stated interest rate	3.80%
Unsecured Notes | 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 495		495
Stated interest rate	4.50%
Unsecured Notes | 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,493		1,492
Stated interest rate	4.80%
Unsecured Notes | 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 369		365
Stated interest rate	3.60%
Unsecured Notes | 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 830		824
Stated interest rate	2.125%
Unsecured Notes | 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,198		1,197
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Unsecured Notes | 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 493		493
Stated interest rate	4.40%
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 2,193		2,400
Credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	1,139		1,624
Notes payable to banks | 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 0		1,250
Stated interest rate	2.70%
Notes payable to banks | 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 494		0
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 554		$ 464

Debt - Note Issuances (Details)

Debt - Note Issuances (Details)	May 31, 2020USD ($)	May 31, 2020GBP (£)	May 31, 2020EUR (€)	Apr. 15, 2020USD ($)
Total $1.5 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,500,000,000			$ 1,500,000,000
Fair value of the notes	1,500,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	1,500,000,000
Total $6.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	6,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	2,600,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	2,500,000,000
Total $8.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	8,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	5,600,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	5,200,000,000
Total 700 million pounds debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | £		£ 700,000,000
Fair value of the notes	900,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	900,000,000
Total 750 million euros debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | €			€ 750,000,000
Fair value of the notes	900,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	800,000,000
Total $4.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	4,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	1,800,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	$ 1,700,000,000

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2020USD ($)

May 31, 2019USD ($)

May 29, 2020USD ($)

Apr. 15, 2020USD ($)

Apr. 07, 2020USD ($)

Apr. 02, 2020USD ($)

Apr. 01, 2020USD ($)

Aug. 30, 2019USD ($)credit_agreement

Jan. 18, 2019USD ($)

Dec. 21, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 05, 2018USD ($)

Aug. 29, 2018USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Interest paid

$ 510,000,000

$ 570,000,000

Maximum

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt to total capitalization ratio

0.60

Commercial Paper

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Average daily short-term borrowings

$ 2,600,000,000

$ 2,600,000,000

Weighted average interest rate

2.33%

3.08%

Total $1.5 billion debt issuance

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 1,500,000,000

$ 1,500,000,000

Debt issuance costs

$ 13,300,000

Unsecured Notes | 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 500,000,000

Stated interest rate

3.20%

3.20%

Unsecured Notes | 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 1,000,000,000

Stated interest rate

4.10%

4.10%

Unsecured Notes | December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 1,000,000,000

Term Loan | December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Borrowing outstanding

$ 0

Credit facilities | April 7, 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 500,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

0

Credit facilities | April 2020 Revolving Bilateral Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 750,000,000

Credit facilities | April 2020 Revolving Club Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 1,325,000,000

Credit facilities | Other April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Borrowing outstanding

0

Credit facilities | August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Number of credit agreements | credit_agreement

3

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 500,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

0

Credit facilities | January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 2,000,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

0

Credit facilities | December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 1,000,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

100,000,000

Credit facilities | A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

2,000,000,000

Credit facilities | August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 3,500,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

0

Credit facilities | Unsecured Notes | A&R December 2018 Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 1,000,000,000

Credit facilities | Unsecured Notes | November 2018 Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 1,000,000,000

Borrowing outstanding

$ 1,000,000,000

Credit facilities | Line of Credit | November 2018 Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 500,000,000

Letter of Credit | August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Face amount

$ 500,000,000

Financial instruments (Details)

Financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	$ 72	$ 140	$ 11	$ 80
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other income (expense)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	2	(8)	6	(10)
Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	5	$ 0	5	$ 0
Other non-current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	1,000		1,000		$ 800
Fair value, assets	88		88		73
Other current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	150		150
Fair value, assets	9		9
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	100		100		18
Fair value, assets	9		9		1
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	2,831		2,831		3,485
Fair value, assets	102		102		87
Other non-current liabilities | Interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	1,000		1,000
Fair value, liabilities	8		8
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	278		278
Fair value, liabilities	7		7
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	1,025		1,025		707
Fair value, liabilities	21		21		$ 6
Other current liabilities | Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	185		185
Fair value, liabilities	$ 0		$ 0

Fair value measurements (Detail

Fair value measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	$ 77	$ 217
Investments in equity securities	1	5
Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	77	217
Investments in equity securities	1	5
Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	111	88
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	28	6
Foreign currency forwards | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Foreign currency forwards | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	111	88
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	28	6
Foreign currency forwards | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	97	73
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	97	73
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	$ 0
Interest rate swaps
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	8
Interest rate swaps | Level 1
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0
Interest rate swaps | Level 2
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	8
Interest rate swaps | Level 3
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	$ 0

Commitments and contingencies (

Commitments and contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 22, 2019USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Payments for legal settlements	$ 209

Income taxes (Details)

Income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	2.30%	13.00%	73.80%	14.70%
Income taxes paid			$ 604	$ 824

Retirement benefits (Details)

Retirement benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Total net periodic pension costs (income)	$ (33)	$ (10)	$ (103)	$ (34)
Employer cash contributions to defined benefit pension plans			26
Expected employer cash contributions to defined benefit plan in current fiscal year	8		8
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Service costs	1	2	4	4
Other income
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Interest costs	35	49	107	148
Expected returns on plan assets/other	(69)	(61)	(214)	(186)
UNITED STATES
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Profit sharing provision expense	57	58	171	183
Foreign Plan
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Cost recognized in the consolidated condensed statements of earnings	$ 31	$ 32	$ 98	$ 96

Accumulated other comprehensi_3

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 24,334	$ 25,413	$ 24,152	$ 26,689
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(474)	(702)	31	(399)
Ending Balance	21,323	24,771	21,323	24,771
Pension/ post-retirement obligations
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(57)	95	(48)	101
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(4)	1	(12)	1
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(3)	(4)	(3)	(12)
Tax benefit (provision)	4	1	4	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)	(2)	(11)	(8)
Ending Balance	(59)	93	(59)	93
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(24)	(28)	(24)	(30)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(8)	2	(9)	1
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1	1	4	4
Tax benefit (provision)	2	(1)	1	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(5)	3	(4)	4
Ending Balance	(29)	(25)	(29)	(25)
Net investment hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	34	(12)	55	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	59	54	31	39
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0	0	0
Tax benefit (provision)	(13)	(13)	(6)	(10)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	46	41	25	29
Ending Balance	80	29	80	29
Share of OCI of equity method investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1)	2	3	3
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(18)	1	(23)	(1)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0	0
Tax benefit (provision)	3	0	3	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(15)	1	(20)	(1)
Ending Balance	(16)	4	(16)	4
Cumulative translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(3,360)	(2,762)	(3,884)	(3,076)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(482)	(733)	39	(415)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0	0
Tax benefit (provision)	(5)	1	(2)	(1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(487)	(732)	37	(416)
Ending Balance	(3,847)	(3,493)	(3,847)	(3,493)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(3,407)	(2,705)	(3,897)	(3,002)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(453)	(675)	26	(376)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(1)	(2)	1	(8)
Tax benefit (provision)	(9)	(12)	0	(8)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(463)	(689)	27	(393)
Ending Balance	$ (3,871)	$ (3,393)	$ (3,871)	$ (3,393)

Segment reporting (Details)

Segment reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)	May 31, 2019USD ($)	May 31, 2020USD ($)segment	May 31, 2019USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Sales	$ 34,631	$ 34,591	$ 104,791	$ 102,912
Adjusted operating income	919	1,717	4,085	5,384
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets	(2,001)	0	(2,001)	0
Transformational cost management	(315)	(86)	(524)	(265)
Acquisition-related amortization	(112)	(127)	(348)	(373)
Acquisition-related costs	(68)	(80)	(291)	(228)
LIFO provision	(29)	(29)	(90)	(77)
Store damage and inventory losses	(75)	0	(75)	0
Store optimization	(10)	(49)	(49)	(99)
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	105	(137)	(47)	(191)
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements	0	(7)	0	(31)
Operating income (loss)	(1,584)	1,203	662	4,120
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	27,357	26,513	80,734	78,491
Adjusted operating income	792	1,286	3,215	4,119
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,903	2,776	7,704	8,759
Adjusted operating income	(143)	165	133	553
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	5,899	5,865	17,971	17,311
Adjusted operating income	271	265	735	710
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	(527)	(563)	(1,618)	(1,649)
Adjusted operating income	$ 0	$ 1	$ 2	$ 1

Sales (Details)

Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 34,631	$ 34,591	$ 104,791	$ 102,912
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	27,357	26,513	80,734	78,491
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	20,478	19,585	60,084	57,624
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	6,878	6,928	20,650	20,867
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	1,903	2,776	7,704	8,759
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	927	1,047	2,954	3,096
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	975	1,730	4,750	5,662
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	5,899	5,865	17,971	17,311
Eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ (527)	$ (563)	$ (1,618)	$ (1,649)

Related parties (Details)

Related parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Purchases, net	$ 15,081	$ 14,684	$ 44,489	$ 43,070
Trade accounts payable, net	$ 6,574		$ 6,574		$ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements -

New accounting pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 01, 2019	May 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Operating lease liability	$ 24,000	$ 24,231
Operating lease right-of-use assets	22,000	21,609		$ 0
Cumulative effect adjustment		$ 21,323	$ 24,334	24,152	$ 24,771	$ 25,413	$ 26,689
Impaired long-lived assets	800
De-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale and leaseback transactions	400
Term of renewal contract		5 years
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment			0	(442)			(88)
Retained earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment		$ 34,244	36,351	35,815	$ 35,547	$ 34,928	33,551
Retained earnings | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment	$ (400)		$ 0	$ (442)			$ (88)
Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Term of lease		15 years
Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Term of lease		25 years

New accounting pronouncements_2

New accounting pronouncements - Effect of Lease 842 Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Sep. 01, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 1,013		$ 1,118
Total current assets	18,326		18,700
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,071		13,478
Operating lease right-of-use assets	21,609	$ 22,000	0
Intangible assets, net	10,183		10,876
Total assets	86,444		67,598
Operating lease obligation	2,288		0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,860		5,474
Total current liabilities	26,649		25,769
Operating lease obligation	21,943		0
Deferred income taxes	1,538		1,785
Other non-current liabilities	2,882		4,795
Total non-current liabilities	38,473		17,678
Retained earnings	34,244		35,815
Total liabilities and equity	$ 86,444		67,598
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets			1,118
Total current assets			18,700
Property, plant and equipment, net			13,478
Intangible assets, net			10,876
Total assets			67,598
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			5,474
Total current liabilities			25,769
Deferred income taxes			1,785
Other non-current liabilities			4,795
Total non-current liabilities			17,678
Retained earnings			35,815
Total liabilities and equity			$ 67,598
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets		(123)
Total current assets		(123)
Property, plant and equipment, net		267
Operating lease right-of-use assets		21,600
Intangible assets, net		(220)
Total assets		21,524
Operating lease obligation		2,267
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(538)
Total current liabilities		1,729
Operating lease obligation		21,858
Deferred income taxes		(142)
Other non-current liabilities		(1,479)
Total non-current liabilities		20,237
Retained earnings		(442)
Total liabilities and equity		21,524
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets		995
Total current assets		18,577
Property, plant and equipment, net		13,745
Operating lease right-of-use assets		21,600
Intangible assets, net		10,656
Total assets		89,122
Operating lease obligation		2,267
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		4,936
Total current liabilities		27,498
Operating lease obligation		21,858
Deferred income taxes		1,643
Other non-current liabilities		3,316
Total non-current liabilities		37,915
Retained earnings		35,373
Total liabilities and equity		$ 89,122

Supplemental information - Narr

Supplemental information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from related party	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant, and equipment	12,100		11,300
Restricted cash (included in other current assets)	$ 175		184
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS calculations (in shares)	20.5	17
Incremental antidilutive securities excluded from EPS calculations (in shares)	0.7
Trade Accounts Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$ 5,800		$ 6,000

Supplemental information - Depr

Supplemental information - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 365	$ 379	$ 1,099	$ 1,096
Intangible asset and other amortization	112	142	348	415
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$ 477	$ 522	$ 1,447	$ 1,512

Supplemental information - Summ

Supplemental information - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 768	$ 1,023	$ 768
Restricted cash (included in other current assets)	175	184
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 943	$ 1,207	$ 1,038	$ 975

Supplemental information - Su_2

Supplemental information - Summary of Dividends per Share (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.4575	$ 0.4575	$ 0.4575	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4400	$ 1.37	$ 1.32

Subsequent event (Details)

Subsequent event (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 08, 2020	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments		$ 7,033,000,000	$ 6,851,000,000
VillageMD | Forecast
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payments to acquire equity method investments	$ 1,000,000,000
Subsequent Event | VillageMD
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity method investments, commitment term	3 years
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 250,000,000