Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) 10-Q 6 Jan 22 2022 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Nov. 30, 2021
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	315-3700
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)		863,272,027
Entity Central Index Key	0001618921
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
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
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	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,135	$ 1,193
Accounts receivable, net	5,960	5,663
Inventories	9,475	8,159
Other current assets	745	800
Total current assets	20,314	15,814
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,295	12,247
Operating lease right-of-use assets	21,826	21,893
Goodwill	21,520	12,421
Intangible assets, net	12,770	9,936
Equity method investments (see Note 6)	6,367	6,987
Other non-current assets	1,413	1,987
Total non-current assets	76,192	65,471
Total assets	96,507	81,285
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	2,647	1,305
Trade accounts payable (see Note 17)	12,452	11,136
Operating lease obligations	2,266	2,259
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	6,973	7,260
Income taxes	110	94
Total current liabilities	24,447	22,054
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt	11,199	7,675
Operating lease obligations	22,103	22,153
Deferred income taxes	1,970	1,850
Other non-current liabilities	3,422	3,413
Total non-current liabilities	38,694	35,091
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 11)
Total liabilities	63,141	57,145
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	2,787	319
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 November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021	12	12
Paid-in capital	10,966	10,988
Retained earnings	38,286	35,121
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,301)	(2,109)
Treasury stock, at cost; 308,671,242 shares at November 30, 2021 and 307,139,982 shares at August 31, 2021	(20,700)	(20,593)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity	26,263	23,419
Noncontrolling interests	4,316	402
Total equity	30,579	23,822
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and equity	$ 96,507	$ 81,285

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANC_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
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)	308,671,242	307,139,982

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMEN

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Adoption of new accounting standards	Common stock	Treasury stock amount	Paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Retained earningsAdoption of new accounting standards	Noncontrolling interests	Noncontrolling interestsAdoption of new accounting standards
Beginning balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2020			865,603,519
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2020	$ 21,136	$ (5)	$ 12	$ (20,575)	$ 10,761	$ (3,771)	$ 34,210	$ (3)	$ 498	$ (3)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	(299)						(308)		9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	90					88			2
Dividends declared and distributions	(405)						(405)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(3,000,000)
Treasury stock purchases	(110)			(110)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			1,298,298
Employee stock purchase and option plans	4			43	(39)
Stock-based compensation	36				36
Business combination	117				117
Noncontrolling interests contribution and other	1				1
Ending balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2020			863,901,817
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2020	20,563		$ 12	(20,642)	10,876	(3,682)	33,495		506
Beginning balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2021			865,373,636
Beginning balance at Aug. 31, 2021	23,822		$ 12	(20,593)	10,988	(2,109)	35,121		402
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	3,552						3,580		(27)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(196)					(193)			(3)
Dividends declared and distributions	(415)						(415)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(3,179,750)
Treasury stock purchases	(154)			(154)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)			1,648,490
Employee stock purchase and option plans	(11)			47	(59)
Stock-based compensation	35				35
Business combination	3,944								3,944
Noncontrolling interests contribution and other	2				2
Ending balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2021			863,842,376
Ending balance at Nov. 30, 2021	$ 30,579		$ 12	$ (20,700)	$ 10,966	$ (2,301)	$ 38,286		$ 4,316

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 33,901	$ 31,438
Cost of sales	26,326	24,808
Gross profit	7,574	6,630
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,391	5,792
Equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	100	(1,373)
Operating income (loss)	1,283	(535)
Other income	2,617	63
Earnings (loss) before interest and tax	3,900	(472)
Interest expense, net	86	136
Earnings (loss) before tax	3,814	(607)
Income tax provision (benefit)	275	(207)
Post tax (loss) earnings from other equity method investments	(7)	15
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations	3,531	(385)
Net earnings from discontinued operations	0	87
Net earnings (loss)	3,531	(299)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - continuing operations	(48)	5
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - discontinued operations	0	4
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	3,580	(308)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.:
Continuing operations	3,580	(391)
Discontinued operations	0	83
Total	$ 3,580	$ (308)
Basic net earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.13	$ (0.45)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.10
Total (in dollars per share)	4.13	(0.36)
Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	4.13	(0.45)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.10
Total (in dollars per share)	$ 4.13	$ (0.36)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	865.8	865.3
Diluted (in shares)	867.6	865.3

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_3

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 3,531	$ (299)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Pension/postretirement obligations	(5)	11
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	1	4
Net investment hedges	44	(7)
Movement on available for debt sale securities	(96)	0
Share of other comprehensive (loss) income of equity method investments	(46)	5
Currency translation adjustments	(94)	80
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(196)	94
Total comprehensive income (loss)	3,336	(206)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(51)	14
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ 3,387	$ (220)

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_4

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 3,531	$ (299)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	500	475
Deferred income taxes	164	(348)
Stock compensation expense	35	36
Equity (earnings) loss from equity method investments	(93)	1,350
Gain on previously held investment interests	(2,576)	0
Other	95	(71)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(127)	(259)
Inventories	(1,352)	(1,225)
Other current assets	(58)	36
Trade accounts payable	1,335	1,398
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(399)	(105)
Income taxes	79	132
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(36)	74
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,099	1,195
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(454)	(431)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	202	231
Business, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,800)	(77)
Other	95	19
Net cash (used for) investing activities	(1,958)	(259)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or less	937	(347)
Proceeds from debt	7,940	3,310
Payments of debt	(4,444)	(2,807)
Stock purchases	(154)	(110)
Proceeds related to employee stock plans	19	4
Cash dividends paid	(413)	(405)
Other	(7)	4
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	3,877	(352)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(20)	10
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,998	594
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,270	746
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 4,268	$ 1,339

Accounting policies

Accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 ("SEC") 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, 2021, as amended by Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 filed on November 24, 2021. 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 the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”). The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous 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 November 30, 2021 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. 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, dispositions, 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. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale of the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe (“Disposal Group”) to AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”). The Disposal Group met the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Therefore, the operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations for all prior periods. Effective as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company is aligned into three reportable segments: United States, International and Walgreens Health. Unless otherwise specified, disclosures in these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect continuing operations only. Certain prior period data, related to discontinued operations has been reclassified in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 2 Discontinued operations and Note 15 Segment reporting for further information. Certain amounts in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. Percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for all periods presented. Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Receivables - nonrefundable fees and others In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other. This ASU clarifies the accounting for the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by giving consideration to securities which have multiple call dates. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, which adds implementation guidance to the above the ASU to clarify certain optional expedients in Topic 848. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Acquired contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU requires an entity to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers). This ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability for both the recognition and measurement of acquired revenue contracts with customers at the date of and after a business combination. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Disclosures by business entities about government assistance In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832) – Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. This ASU requires disclosures that are expected to increase the transparency of transactions with a government accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model by analogy, including (1) the types of transactions, (2) the accounting for those transactions, and (3) the effect of those transactions on an entity’s financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

Discontinued operations

Discontinued operations	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued operations	Discontinued operations On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale of Alliance Healthcare, for total consideration of $6.9 billion, which included cash consideration of $6.7 billion, subject to net working capital and net cash adjustments and 2 million shares of AmerisourceBergen common stock. As of November 30, 2021, Other current assets include a $98 million receivable for purchase price consideration due from AmerisourceBergen that is subject to change upon the finalization of net working capital adjustments. The operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations as the disposition reflected a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Results of discontinued operations were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Sales $ 5,327 Cost of sales 4,818 Gross profit 509 Selling, general and administrative expense 415 Operating income from discontinued operations 94 Other expense (2) Interest expense, net (4) Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations 88 Income tax provision 8 Post tax earnings from other equity method investments 7 Net earnings from discontinued operations $ 87 Sales from the Disposal Group to the Company's continuing operations are not eliminated and aggregate to (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Sales $ 458 Cash flows from operating and investing activities for discontinued operations are (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations $ (45) Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations (19) See Note 17 Related parties, to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for more information on the Company's transactions and continuing involvement with AmerisourceBergen.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions VillageMD On November 24, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Village Practice Management Company, LLC (“VillageMD”). Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Unit Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased additional outstanding equity interests of VillageMD, increasing the Company’s total beneficial ownership in VillageMD’s outstanding equity interests from approximately 30% to approximately 63%, on a fully diluted basis, for a purchase price of $5.2 billion. The total purchase price comprises cash consideration of $4.0 billion and a promissory note of $1.2 billion. The cash consideration consisted of $2.9 billion to be paid to existing shareholders, after giving affect to the $1.9 billion tender offer described below, as well as $1.1 billion paid in exchange for new preferred units issued by VillageMD. Subject to notice being served, the Company has an option to prepay the promissory note at any time and VillageMD may require the Company to redeem the promissory note after February 1, 2022. The promissory note is eliminated in consolidation within the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. On November 24, 2021, VillageMD commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $1.9 billion of units in VillageMD for cash. As of November 30, 2021, the Company recorded the $1.9 billion as redeemable non-controlling interest. The tender offer was fully subscribed and settled on December 28, 2021. The tender offer was funded by cash proceeds provided to VillageMD pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination resulting in consolidation of VillageMD within the Walgreens Health segment in its financial statements. A noncontrolling interest was recognized at fair value. As of November 30, 2021, the Company had not completed the analysis to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired. As such, the preliminary purchase price allocation will be subject to further refinement and may change. These changes may relate to finalization of the fair value of the purchase consideration and the allocation of purchase consideration to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and identified. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain in Other income in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings, of $1,597 million related to the fair valuation of the Company’s previously held minority equity interest. The Company also recorded a pre-tax gain of $577 million in Other income in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings related to the conversion to equity of the Company’s previously held investment in convertible debt securities of VillageMD, reclassified from within accumulated other comprehensive income. The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions): Purchase Price Allocation: Total purchase price $ 5,200 Less: purchase price for issuance of new preferred units at fair value 1 (2,300) Net consideration $ 2,900 Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services 2 683 Fair value of previously held equity and debt 3,211 Fair value of non-controlling interest 3,257 Total $ 10,051 Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Tangible assets 1 $ 637 Intangible assets 1,982 Liabilities (241) Total identifiable net assets $ 2,378 Goodwill $ 7,673 1. Comprises cash consideration of $1.1 billion and a promissory note of $1.2 billion. This consideration was provided in exchange for the issuance of new preferred units by VillageMD. VillageMD’s tangible assets acquired exclude this $1.1 billion of cash and $1.2 billion promissory note receivable. 2. Primarily related to vested share-based compensation awards. The goodwill represents anticipated future growth and expansion opportunities into new markets. Pro forma sales and net earnings of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. Shields acquisition On October 29, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Shields Health Solutions Parent, LLC (“Shields”). Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company purchased additional outstanding equity interests of Shields, increasing the Company’s total beneficial ownership in Shields’ outstanding equity interests from 25% to approximately 70%, on a fully diluted basis, for cash consideration of $969 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination resulting in consolidation of Shields within the Walgreens Health segment in its financial statements. A noncontrolling interest was recognized at fair value. Under the terms of the transaction agreements, the Company has an option to acquire the remaining equity interests of Shields in the future. Shields’ other equity holders will also have an option to require the Company to purchase the remaining equity interests. Considering the contractual terms related to the noncontrolling interest, it is classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. As of November 30, 2021, the Company had not completed the analysis to assign fair values to all tangible and intangible assets acquired. As such, the preliminary purchase price allocation will be subject to further refinement and may result in changes. These changes may relate to finalization of the fair value of the purchase consideration and the allocation of purchase consideration to all tangible and intangible assets acquired and identified. As a result of this acquisition, the Company remeasured its previously held minority equity interest in Shields at fair value resulting in a pre-tax gain of $402 million recognized in Other income in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions): Purchase Price Allocation: Cash consideration $ 969 Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services 13 Fair value of previously held equity interests 502 Fair value of non-controlling interests 589 Total $ 2,074 Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Tangible assets $ 84 Intangible assets 1,060 Liabilities (528) Total identifiable net assets $ 616 Goodwill $ 1,457 The goodwill represents anticipated future growth and expansion opportunities into new healthcare offerings. Pro forma sales and net earnings of the Company, assuming the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented, would not be materially different from the results reported. See Note 15 Segment reporting and Note 16 Sales for further information. Other acquisitions The Company acquired certain prescription files and related pharmacy inventory primarily in the U.S. for the aggregate purchase price of $74 million and $38 million during the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Exit and disposal activities

Exit and disposal activities	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 $2.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”). The Company achieved this goal at the end of fiscal 2021. On October 12, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion and extension of the Transformational Cost Management Program through the end of fiscal 2024. As a result, the Company increased its annual cost savings target to $3.3 billion by the end of fiscal 2024. 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 which focus on the United States and International reportable segments along with the Company’s global functions. Divisional optimization within the Company’s segments includes activities such as optimization of stores. As a result of the expanded program, the Company plans to reduce its presence by up to 150 Boots stores in the UK and up to 150 stores in the United States over the next three years which are incremental to the previously planned reductions of approximately 200 Boots stores in the UK and approximately 250 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 $3.6 billion to $3.9 billion, of which $3.3 billion to $3.6 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. Since the inception of the Transformational Cost Management Program to November 30, 2021, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP of $1.5 billion, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $442 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs, $292 million in asset impairments, $550 million in employee severance and business transition costs and $172 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 months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 United States International Corporate and Other Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 87 $ 2 $ — $ 89 Asset impairments 15 25 — 40 Employee severance and business transition costs 20 10 7 37 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 1 7 1 9 Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges $ 123 $ 44 $ 9 $ 175 Three months ended November 30, 2020 United States International Corporate and Other Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 22 $ — $ — $ 22 Asset impairments 4 (2) — 1 Employee severance and business transition costs 12 28 12 52 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 10 (5) — 5 Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges $ 48 $ 21 $ 12 $ 81 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, 2021 $ 17 $ — $ 77 $ 20 $ 114 Costs 89 40 37 9 175 Payments (15) — (51) (7) (74) Other (72) (40) (3) — (115) Currency — — (1) — (1) Balance at November 30, 2021 $ 19 $ — $ 59 $ 23 $ 101

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, clinics, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land, and equipment. For the majority of leases in the U.S., the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five-year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Non-U.S. leases are typically for shorter terms and may include cancellation clauses or renewal options. 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 recognizes operating lease rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, some leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a portion of sales. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Balance Sheet supplemental information: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,826 $ 21,893 Operating lease obligations - current 2,266 2,259 Operating lease obligations - non-current 22,103 22,153 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,369 $ 24,412 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 713 $ 725 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 37 37 Other non-current liabilities 963 974 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,000 $ 1,010 Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Statement of Earnings supplemental information: 2021 2020 Operating lease cost Fixed $ 805 $ 805 Variable 1 205 158 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 11 $ 11 Interest 13 13 Sublease income 25 20 Impairment of right-of-use assets 68 10 Gain on sale and leaseback 2 87 93 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Other Supplemental Information: 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 846 $ 857 Operating cash flows from finance leases 12 12 Financing cash flows from finance leases 11 10 Total $ 869 $ 879 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 544 $ 787 Finance leases 5 — Total $ 549 $ 787 Average lease term and discount rate were as follows: Weighted average terms and discount rates: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.2 10.3 Finance leases 20.1 20.2 Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.75 % 4.77 % Finance leases 5.18 % 5.18 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of November 30, 2021 were as follows (in millions): Future lease payments: Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2022 (Remaining period) $ 67 $ 2,608 2023 88 3,376 2024 88 3,260 2025 87 3,145 2026 87 3,032 2027 86 2,924 Later 1,054 12,801 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,556 $ 31,146 Less: Present value discount (556) (6,777) Lease liability $ 1,000 $ 24,369
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, clinics, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land, and equipment. For the majority of leases in the U.S., the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five-year intervals, and may include rent escalation clauses. Non-U.S. leases are typically for shorter terms and may include cancellation clauses or renewal options. 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 recognizes operating lease rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, some leases provide for contingent rentals based upon a portion of sales. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Balance Sheet supplemental information: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,826 $ 21,893 Operating lease obligations - current 2,266 2,259 Operating lease obligations - non-current 22,103 22,153 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,369 $ 24,412 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 713 $ 725 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 37 37 Other non-current liabilities 963 974 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,000 $ 1,010 Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Statement of Earnings supplemental information: 2021 2020 Operating lease cost Fixed $ 805 $ 805 Variable 1 205 158 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 11 $ 11 Interest 13 13 Sublease income 25 20 Impairment of right-of-use assets 68 10 Gain on sale and leaseback 2 87 93 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Other Supplemental Information: 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 846 $ 857 Operating cash flows from finance leases 12 12 Financing cash flows from finance leases 11 10 Total $ 869 $ 879 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 544 $ 787 Finance leases 5 — Total $ 549 $ 787 Average lease term and discount rate were as follows: Weighted average terms and discount rates: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.2 10.3 Finance leases 20.1 20.2 Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.75 % 4.77 % Finance leases 5.18 % 5.18 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of November 30, 2021 were as follows (in millions): Future lease payments: Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2022 (Remaining period) $ 67 $ 2,608 2023 88 3,376 2024 88 3,260 2025 87 3,145 2026 87 3,032 2027 86 2,924 Later 1,054 12,801 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,556 $ 31,146 Less: Present value discount (556) (6,777) Lease liability $ 1,000 $ 24,369

Equity method investments

Equity method investments	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	Equity method investments Equity method investments were as follows (in millions, except percentages): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 4,393 28% $ 4,407 28% Others 1,974 8% - 50% 2,580 8% - 50% Total $ 6,367 $ 6,987 AmerisourceBergen investment As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, the Company owned 58,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares representing approximately 28.3% of its outstanding common stock based on the most recent share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company accounts for its equity investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, with the net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company’s investment being classified within the operating income of its United States 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 (loss) from AmerisourceBergen are reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. During the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized equity income of $100 million and equity losses of $1.4 billion, in AmerisourceBergen, respectively. The equity losses for the period ended November 30, 2020 were primarily due to AmerisourceBergen's recognition of loss of $5.6 billion, net of tax, related to its ongoing opioid litigation in its financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Level 1 fair market value of the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen common stock at November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021 was $6.8 billion and $7.2 billion, respectively. As of November 30, 2021 the carrying value of the Company’s investment in AmerisourceBergen exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of AmerisourceBergen by $4.3 billion. This premium of $4.3 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 U.S. investments in HC Group Holdings I, LLC (“HC Group Holdings”) which owns equity interest in Option Care Health, and BrightSpring Health Services, and the Company’s China investments in Sinopharm Medicine Holding Guoda Drugstores Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Company Limited. The Company reported $7 million of post-tax equity losses and $15 million of post-tax equity earnings from other equity method investments for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the three months ended November 30, 2021, the Company acquired majority equity interests in VillageMD and Shields. The Company accounted for these acquisitions as business combinations resulting in the remeasurement of its previously held minority equity interests and convertible debt securities at fair value resulting in pre-tax gains of $2,174 million and $402 million for VillageMD and Shields, respectively, recognized in Other income in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. As a result of these transactions, the Company now consolidates VillageMD and Shields within the Walgreens Health segment in its financial statements. Summarized financial information Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investments in aggregate is as follows: Statements of earnings (loss) (in millions) Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Sales $ 67,588 $ 56,088 Gross Profit 3,420 2,410 Net earnings (loss) 308 (4,806) Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments 93 (1,357) The summarized financial information for equity method investments has been included on an aggregated basis for all investments as reported at the end of each reporting period.

Goodwill and other intangible a

Goodwill and other intangible assets	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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. Based on the analysis completed during fiscal 2021, as of the June 1, 2021 valuation date, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts ranging from approximately 18% to approximately 195%. Boots reporting unit's fair value was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 18%, compared to a nominal amount as of June 1, 2020. Other international reporting unit's fair value was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 29%. As of November 30, 2021 the carrying values of goodwill were $1.0 billion and $372 million for Boots reporting unit and Other international reporting unit, respectively. The fair values of indefinite-lived intangibles within the Boots reporting unit exceeded their carrying value amounts ranging from approximately 5% to approximately 27%. As of November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021 the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangibles within the Boots reporting unit was $7.2 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively. The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the business and financial performance of the Company’s reporting units, as well as how such performance may be impacted by COVID-19. 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 the Boots and Other international reporting units. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions): Goodwill roll forward: United States International Walgreens Health Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2021 $ 10,947 $ 1,474 $ — $ 12,421 Acquisitions — — 9,130 9,130 Currency translation adjustments — (32) — (32) November 30, 2021 $ 10,947 $ 1,443 $ 9,130 $ 21,520 The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): Intangible assets November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1 $ 4,430 $ 3,522 Primary care provider network 1,660 — Trade names and trademarks 708 361 Purchasing and payer contracts 317 317 Developed technology 290 — Others 75 221 Total gross amortizable intangible assets $ 7,479 $ 4,421 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1 $ 1,395 $ 1,335 Trade names and trademarks 228 226 Purchasing and payer contracts 284 227 Developed technology 17 — Others 29 37 Total accumulated amortization 1,953 1,826 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 5,526 $ 2,595 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 5,208 $ 5,276 Pharmacy licenses 2,036 2,066 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 7,244 $ 7,342 Total intangible assets, net $ 12,770 $ 9,936 1 Includes purchased prescription files. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $165 million and $95 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at November 30, 2021 is as follows (in millions): 2022 (Remaining period) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 462 $ 560 $ 541 $ 514 $ 490 $ 443

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt is translated using the spot rates as of the balance sheet date. Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars and debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Short-term debt Commercial paper $ 875 $ — Credit facilities 799 — $8 billion note issuance 1 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 2 — 1,250 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 731 — Other 3 242 56 Total short-term debt $ 2,647 $ 1,305 Long-term debt Credit facilities $ 2,990 $ — $850 million note issuance 1 0.9500% unsecured notes due 2023 848 — $1.5 billion note issuance 1 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 497 497 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 792 792 $6 billion note issuance 1 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,442 1,442 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 318 318 $8 billion note issuance 1 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,154 1,154 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 301 301 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 868 868 £700 million note issuance 1 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 403 408 €750 million note issuance 1 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 846 873 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 — 731 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 263 263 Other 3 477 29 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 11,199 $ 7,675 1 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. 2 On September 18, 2021, the Company redeemed in full the $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 issued by the Company on November 18, 2014. 3 Other debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. Other long term debt includes $447 million of debt acquired as part of Shields acquisition. 4 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, the Company 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 the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. $850 million Note Issuance On November 17, 2021, the Company issued, in an underwritten public offering, $850 million of 0.95% Notes due 2023. The Notes contain a call option which allow for the Notes to be repaid, in full or in part, prior to May 17, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”) at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments thereof to the Par Call Date discounted at the applicable treasury rate, plus 10 basis points and (ii) on or after the Par Call Date, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. Credit facilities November 15, 2021, Delayed Draw Term Loan On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into a $5.0 billion senior unsecured multi-tranche delayed draw term loan credit facility, (the “November 2021 DDTL”) consisting of (i) a 364-day senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion (the“364-day loan”), (ii) a two-year senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion (the “two-year loan”) and (iii) a three-year senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion (the “three-year loan”). An aggregate amount of $3.0 billion or more of the November 2021 DDTL is for the purpose of funding the consideration due in respect of the purchase of an increased equity stake in VillageMD, and paying fees and expenses related to the foregoing, and the remainder can be used for general corporate purposes. The November 2021 DDTL is available for drawing in one or more tranches until May 15, 2022. The maturity date on the 364-day loan, the two-year loan and the three-year loan is, in each case, the earlier of the date that is 364 days, two years and three years from the date of the first drawing under each facility and February 14, 2023, February 15, 2024 and February 15, 2025 respectively. As of November 30, 2021 there were $3.0 billion in borrowings outstanding under the November 2021 DDTL. December 23, 2020, Revolving Credit Agreement On December 23, 2020, the Company entered into a $1.25 billion senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit agreement and a $2.25 billion senior unsecured 18-month revolving credit facility, with a swing line subfacility commitment amount of $350 million, with designated borrowers from time to time party thereto and lenders from time to time party thereto (the “2020 Revolving Credit Agreement”). The 364 -day facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 364 days from December 23, 2020, the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 364 -day facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. The 18 -month facility’s termination date is the earlier of (i) 18 months from the effective date (subject to the extension thereof pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement) and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments under the 18 -Month Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of November 30, 2021 there were $800 million in borrowings outstanding under the 2020 Revolving 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 aggregate commitment in the amount of $3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $500 million. 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 November 30, 2021, 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 also 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 U.S. commercial paper outstanding of $712 million and $1.6 billion at a weighted average interest rate of 0.25% and 0.63% for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. A subsidiary of the Company had average daily commercial paper outstanding, which was issued under the Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program, of £300 million, or approximately $401 million at a weighted average interest rate of 0.43% for the three months ended November 30, 2020. The subsidiary of the Company repaid the commercial paper issued under the Joint HM Treasury and Bank of England's COVID Corporate Financing Facility commercial paper program on May 14, 2021. Interest Interest paid by the Company was $153 million and $234 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial instruments	Financial instruments The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to market risks, including interest rate and currency risks, arising from operating and financing 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): November 30, 2021 Notional Fair Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 5 $ — Other non-current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 153 4 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 17 — Other non-current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 633 8 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 610 17 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 85 1 Other current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 157 5 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 3,900 $ 64 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 2,968 2 Other current liabilities Total return swap 271 11 Other current liabilities August 31, 2021 Notional Fair Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 155 $ 1 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 6 — Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 23 1 Other non-current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 801 23 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 575 7 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 31 1 Other current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 109 9 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 3,636 $ 38 Other current assets Total return swap 224 2 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 808 3 Other current liabilities Total return swap 37 — Other current liabilities Net investment hedges The Company uses cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to hedge 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 November 30, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2021 2020 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 55 $ (29) Total return swap Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 13 Foreign currency forwards Other income (expense) (1) (9) 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	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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): November 30, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 319 $ 319 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 1 1 — — Investments in debt securities 3 20 — — 20 Foreign currency forwards 5 81 — 81 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 4 — 4 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 5 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 12 — 12 — Total return swap 11 — 11 — August 31, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 634 $ 634 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 2 2 — — Investments in debt securities 4 663 — — 663 Foreign currency forwards 5 46 — 46 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 1 — 1 — Total return swaps 2 — 2 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 5 $ 5 $ — $ 5 $ — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 32 — 32 — 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 November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021. 3 Level 3 debt securities are valued using standard valuation techniques based on income and market approach. 4 Level 3 debt securities include investments in convertible debt securities of VillageMD which are valued on a quarterly basis using the Probability Weighted Expect Return Method with gains or losses recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. Inputs include the enterprise value, expected holding term of the investment, volatility and risk-free interest rates. 5 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 9 Financial instruments, for additional information. 6 The fair value of interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See Note 9 Financial instruments, for additional information. There were no transfers between Levels for the three months ended November 30, 2021. 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. As of November 30, 2021 the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term notes outstanding including the current portion were $8.5 billion and $9.2 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market prices and translated at the November 30, 2021 rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of November 30, 2021. See Note 8 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	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 U.S. 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 material loss is reasonably possible, except as otherwise noted, 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. ( Cutler v. Wasson et al. , No. 1:14-cv-10408 (N.D. Ill.)) The action asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste and unjust enrichment. On May 18, 2015, the case was stayed in light of a securities class action that was filed on April 10, 2015, 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. ( Washtenaw County Employees’ Retirement System v. Walgreen Co. et al. , No. 1:15-cv-3187 (N.D. Ill.)) 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. A motion to dismiss a consolidated class action complaint filed on August 17, 2015 was granted in part and denied in part on September 30, 2016. The court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification on March 29, 2018 and plaintiff filed a first amended complaint on December 19, 2018. A motion to dismiss the first amended complaint was granted in part and denied in part on September 23, 2019. Fact discovery and expert discovery have concluded. On November 2, 2021, the Court denied plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and granted in part and denied in part defendants’ cross motion. On December 11, 2017, purported Rite Aid shareholders filed an amended complaint in a putative class action lawsuit in the U.S. 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, and the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification. Fact discovery has concluded and expert discovery is ongoing. In October and December 2020, two separate purported Rite Aid Shareholders filed lawsuits in the same court as the M.D. Pa. action opting out of the class in the M.D. Pa. action making nearly identical allegations as those in the M.D. Pa. action (the “Direct Actions”). On December 24, 2020, the parties to the Direct Actions filed a joint stipulation to stay the Direct Actions until the earlier of (a) 30 days after the entry of an order resolving any pre-trial dispositive motions in the M.D. Pa. action, or (b) 30 days after the entry of an order of final approval of any settlement of the M.D. Pa. action. The court so ordered the joint stipulation on December 28, 2020. In December 2017, the U.S. 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, captioned In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804, Case No. 17-md-2804), is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ("N.D. Ohio"). The Company is involved in the following multidistrict litigation (MDL) bellwether cases: (1) two consolidated cases in N.D. Ohio ( Cnty. of Summit, Ohio, et al v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45090; Cnty. of Cuyahoga, Ohio, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P. , Case No. 18-op-45004), previously scheduled for trial in November 2020 but postponed indefinitely; (2) one remanded to the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma ( The Cherokee Nation v. McKesson Corp., et al. , Case No. 18-CV-00056-RAW-SPS), scheduled for trial in September 2022; and (3) one remanded to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ( City and Cnty. of San Francisco, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 3:18-cv-07591-CRB), originally scheduled for trial in October 2021, but rescheduled for April 2022. The Company was also involved in two additional consolidated cases in N.D. Ohio ( Cnty. of Lake, Ohio v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45032; Cnty. of Trumbull, Ohio v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45079), initially scheduled for trial in May 2021 but continued until October 2021. The jury in that case returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs as to liability, and the court will schedule a second trial regarding remedies to take place at some point in 2022. The court has yet to determine how much each defendant will pay in damages. The Company is unable to predict the outcome relative to remedies or apportionment and believes it has very strong grounds for appeal. In April 2021, the MDL court selected five additional bellwether cases involving the Company, all currently pending in N.D. Ohio: (1) Cobb Cnty. v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45817; (2) Durham Cnty. v. AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., et al. , Case No. 19-op-45346; (3) Montgomery Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Commrs., et al. v. Cardinal Health, Inc., et al. , Case No. 18-op-46326; (4) Board of Cnty. Commrs. of the Cnty. of Santa Fe v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45776; and (5) Cnty. of Tarrant v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 18-op-45274. The Company also has been named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits brought in state courts relating to opioid matters. Trial dates have been set in cases pending in state courts in New Mexico ( State of New Mexico, ex rel. Hector Balderas, Attorney General v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. D-101-cv-2017-02541, First Judicial District Court, Santa Fe County, New Mexico - September 2022); West Virginia ( State of West Virginia, ex rel. Patrick Morrisey, Attorney General v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., Civil Action No.20-C-82 PNM, Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, - September 2022; Missouri ( Jefferson County, Missouri v. Dannie E. Williams, M.D., et al. , Cause No. 20JE-CC00029, Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Missouri - April 2023); Florida ( State of Florida, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Legal Affairs v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al. , Case No. 2018-CA-001438, Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pasco County, Florida - April 2022); Nevada ( State of Nevada v. McKesson Corporation, et al. , Case No. A-19-796755-B, Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada - April 2023); Michigan ( State of Michigan, ex rel. Dana Nessel, Attorney General v. Cardinal Health, Inc. , et al., Case No. 19-016896-NZ, Circuit Court for Wayne County, Michigan - October 2022); and Alabama ( The DCH Health Care Authority, et al. v. Purdue Pharma LP, et al. , Cause No. CV-2019-000007.00, Circuit Court of Conecuh County, Alabama - July 2022). The relief sought by various plaintiffs in these matters includes compensatory, abatement 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. The Company has also had communications with the Department of Justice with respect to purported violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and the federal False Claims Act in dispensing prescriptions 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.

Income taxes

Income taxes	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2021 was an expense of 7.2%, primarily due to lower tax expense on gains from consolidation of the Company’s investment in VillageMD and Shields, as a portion of these gains is not subject to tax. See Note 3 Acquisitions for further information. The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2020 was a benefit of 34.0%, on a pretax loss for the three months ended November 30, 2020, primarily due to the discrete tax effect of equity losses in AmerisourceBergen. See Note 6 Equity method investments for further information. Income taxes paid for the three months ended November 30, 2021 were $34 million, compared to $16 million for the three months ended November 30, 2020.

Retirement benefits

Retirement benefits	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 U.S. The principal defined benefit pension plan is the Boots Pension Plan (the “Boots Plan”), which covers certain employees in the UK. 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 (income) for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2021 2020 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 1 Interest costs Other expense 39 33 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (74) (80) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (33) $ (45) The Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $1 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021, which primarily related to committed payments. The Company plans to contribute an additional $40 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2022. 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 $69 million and $57 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company also has certain contract based defined contribution arrangements. The principal arrangement is based in UK to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The Company recognized an expense of $25 million and $26 million for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Accumulated other comprehensive

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2021 $ (359) $ (10) $ (35) $ 96 $ (29) $ (1,772) $ (2,109) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (1) 1 53 450 (60) (88) 356 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (5) 1 — (577) — (4) (585) Tax benefit (provision) 1 — (9) 31 14 — 37 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (5) 1 44 (96) (46) (91) (193) Balance at November 30, 2021 $ (364) $ (9) $ 9 $ — $ (74) $ (1,863) $ (2,301) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2020 $ (748) $ (31) $ (34) $ — $ (10) $ (2,948) $ (3,771) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 17 4 (14) — 7 72 85 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2) 1 — — — 3 2 Tax benefit (provision) (4) (1) 8 — (1) — 1 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) 11 4 (7) — 5 75 88 Balance at November 30, 2020 $ (736) $ (27) $ (41) $ — $ (5) $ (2,873) $ (3,682)

Segment reporting

Segment reporting	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment reporting	Segment reporting In conjunction with the launch of its new consumer-centric healthcare strategy, in fiscal 2022, the Company announced the creation of a new operating segment, Walgreens Health. As a result, beginning in fiscal year 2022, the Company is now aligned into three reportable segments: United States, International and Walgreens Health. 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. United States The Company’s United States segment includes the Walgreens business which includes the operations of retail drugstores, health and wellness services, and specialty and home delivery pharmacy services, and its equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. 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, personal care and consumables and general merchandise. International The Company’s International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses outside the U.S. and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution business in Germany. Pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses include Boots branded stores in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Thailand, the Benavides brand in Mexico and the Ahumada brand in Chile. Sales for these businesses are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty, personal care and other consumer products. Walgreens Health The Company’s Walgreens Health segment currently consists of Walgreens Health, an organically developed consumer-centric omni-channel business that contracts with payors and providers to deliver clinical healthcare services to their members through both digital and physical channels; a majority equity ownership position in VillageMD, a leading, national provider of value-based primary care services; a majority equity ownership position in Shields, a specialty pharmacy integrator and accelerator for hospitals. Selling, general and administrative costs for Walgreens Health for the three months ended November 30, 2020 have been reclassified in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. The results of operations for reportable segments include procurement benefits. Corporate-related overhead costs are not allocated to reportable segments and are reported in the “Corporate and Other”. The following table reflects results of operations of the Company’s reportable segments (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Sales: United States $ 28,032 $ 27,163 International 5,818 4,285 Walgreens Health 51 — Corporate and Other 1 — (10) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 33,901 $ 31,438 Adjusted Operating income: United States $ 1,690 $ 1,155 International 164 87 Walgreens Health (13) (3) Corporate and Other 1 (63) (42) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 1,777 $ 1,196 1 Includes certain eliminations. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Adjusted operating income $ 1,777 $ 1,196 Transformational cost management (203) (100) Acquisition-related amortization (165) (95) Acquisition-related costs (71) (21) Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen (43) (1,481) LIFO provision (14) (33) Operating income (loss) $ 1,283 $ (535)

Sales

Sales	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 November 30, 2021 2020 United States Pharmacy $ 21,105 $ 20,869 Retail 6,927 6,294 Total 28,032 27,163 International Pharmacy 1,017 895 Retail 1,796 1,522 Wholesale 3,005 1,868 Total 5,818 4,285 Walgreens Health 51 — Corporate and Other 1 — (10) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 33,901 $ 31,438 1 Includes certain eliminations. See Note 19 Supplemental information for further information on receivables from contracts with customers.

Related parties

Related parties	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 November 30, 2021 2020 Purchases, net $ 15,791 $ 15,441 November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,909 $ 6,589 See Note 2 Discontinued operations for further information.

New accounting pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
New accounting pronouncements	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 ("SEC") 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, 2021, as amended by Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 filed on November 24, 2021. 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 the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”). The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous 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 November 30, 2021 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. 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, dispositions, 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. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale of the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe (“Disposal Group”) to AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”). The Disposal Group met the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Therefore, the operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations for all prior periods. Effective as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company is aligned into three reportable segments: United States, International and Walgreens Health. Unless otherwise specified, disclosures in these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect continuing operations only. Certain prior period data, related to discontinued operations has been reclassified in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 2 Discontinued operations and Note 15 Segment reporting for further information. Certain amounts in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding. Percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts for all periods presented. Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Receivables - nonrefundable fees and others In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other. This ASU clarifies the accounting for the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by giving consideration to securities which have multiple call dates. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, which adds implementation guidance to the above the ASU to clarify certain optional expedients in Topic 848. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Acquired contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU requires an entity to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers). This ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability for both the recognition and measurement of acquired revenue contracts with customers at the date of and after a business combination. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Disclosures by business entities about government assistance In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832) – Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. This ASU requires disclosures that are expected to increase the transparency of transactions with a government accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model by analogy, including (1) the types of transactions, (2) the accounting for those transactions, and (3) the effect of those transactions on an entity’s financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

Supplemental information

Supplemental information	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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). Trade receivables were $4.6 billion and $4.5 billion at November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, respectively. Other accounts receivable balances, which consist primarily of receivables from vendors and manufacturers, including receivables from AmerisourceBergen (see Note 17 Related parties), were $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion at November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021, 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 November 30, 2021 2020 Depreciation expense $ 335 $ 342 Intangible asset and other amortization 165 95 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 500 $ 437 Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment was $13.3 billion at November 30, 2021 and $13.1 billion at August 31, 2021. 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. 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 (in millions): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations $ 4,135 $ 1,193 Restricted cash - continuing operations (included in other current assets) 133 77 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 4,268 $ 1,270 Redeemable noncontrolling interest The redeemable noncontrolling interest balance as of November 30, 2021 was $2,787 million increasing primarily due to acquisitions during the three months ended November 30, 2021. See Note 3 Acquisitions for further information. The following represents a roll forward of the redeemable non-controlling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions): Redeemable noncontrolling interest roll forward: Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2021 $ 319 Acquisitions 1 2,489 Net (loss) (21) Redemption value adjustment 7 Currency translation adjustments and other (8) November 30, 2021 $ 2,787 1 Includes $1.9 billion of redeemable non-controlling interest representing the maximum purchase price to redeem non-controlling units in VillageMD for cash. On November 24, 2021, VillageMD commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $1.9 billion of units in VillageMD for cash. As of November 30, 2021, the Company recorded the $1.9 billion as redeemable non-controlling interest. The tender offer was fully subscribed and settled on December 28, 2021. The tender offer was funded by cash proceeds provided to VillageMD pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement. 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 16.1 million weighted outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the first quarter earnings per share calculation as of November 30, 2021 compared to 18.5 million as of November 30, 2020. Due to the anti-dilutive effect resulting from the reported net loss for the three months ended November 30, 2020, the incremental impact of potentially dilutive securities were omitted from the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding. Cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2021 2020 November $ 0.4775 $ 0.4675

Accounting policies (Policies)

Accounting policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 ("SEC") 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, 2021, as amended by Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 filed on November 24, 2021. 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 the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”). The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous 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 November 30, 2021 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. 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, dispositions, 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. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed the sale of the majority of the Company's Alliance Healthcare business as well as a portion of the Company’s retail pharmacy international businesses in Europe (“Disposal Group”) to AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”). The Disposal Group met the criteria to be reported as discontinued operations. Therefore, the operating results of the Disposal Group are reported as discontinued operations for all prior periods. Effective as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company is aligned into three reportable segments: United States, International and Walgreens Health. Unless otherwise specified, disclosures in these Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements reflect continuing operations only. Certain prior period data, related to discontinued operations has been reclassified in the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. See Note 2 Discontinued operations and Note 15 Segment reporting for further information.
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements; New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted	Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Receivables - nonrefundable fees and others In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other. This ASU clarifies the accounting for the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium by giving consideration to securities which have multiple call dates. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. 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. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, which adds implementation guidance to the above the ASU to clarify certain optional expedients in Topic 848. The Company adopted the new standard effective September 1, 2021, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Acquired contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU requires an entity to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers). This ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability for both the recognition and measurement of acquired revenue contracts with customers at the date of and after a business combination. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (fiscal 2024). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Disclosures by business entities about government assistance In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832) – Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. This ASU requires disclosures that are expected to increase the transparency of transactions with a government accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model by analogy, including (1) the types of transactions, (2) the accounting for those transactions, and (3) the effect of those transactions on an entity’s financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

Discontinued operations (Tables

Discontinued operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedules of Discontinued Operations	Results of discontinued operations were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Sales $ 5,327 Cost of sales 4,818 Gross profit 509 Selling, general and administrative expense 415 Operating income from discontinued operations 94 Other expense (2) Interest expense, net (4) Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations 88 Income tax provision 8 Post tax earnings from other equity method investments 7 Net earnings from discontinued operations $ 87 Sales from the Disposal Group to the Company's continuing operations are not eliminated and aggregate to (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Sales $ 458 Cash flows from operating and investing activities for discontinued operations are (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2020 Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations $ (45) Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations (19)

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Schedule of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions): Purchase Price Allocation: Total purchase price $ 5,200 Less: purchase price for issuance of new preferred units at fair value 1 (2,300) Net consideration $ 2,900 Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services 2 683 Fair value of previously held equity and debt 3,211 Fair value of non-controlling interest 3,257 Total $ 10,051 Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Tangible assets 1 $ 637 Intangible assets 1,982 Liabilities (241) Total identifiable net assets $ 2,378 Goodwill $ 7,673 1. Comprises cash consideration of $1.1 billion and a promissory note of $1.2 billion. This consideration was provided in exchange for the issuance of new preferred units by VillageMD. VillageMD’s tangible assets acquired exclude this $1.1 billion of cash and $1.2 billion promissory note receivable. 2. Primarily related to vested share-based compensation awards. The following table summarizes the consideration for the acquisition and the preliminary amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the transaction (in millions): Purchase Price Allocation: Cash consideration $ 969 Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services 13 Fair value of previously held equity interests 502 Fair value of non-controlling interests 589 Total $ 2,074 Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Tangible assets $ 84 Intangible assets 1,060 Liabilities (528) Total identifiable net assets $ 616 Goodwill $ 1,457

Exit and disposal activities (T

Exit and disposal activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 United States International Corporate and Other Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 87 $ 2 $ — $ 89 Asset impairments 15 25 — 40 Employee severance and business transition costs 20 10 7 37 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 1 7 1 9 Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges $ 123 $ 44 $ 9 $ 175 Three months ended November 30, 2020 United States International Corporate and Other Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 22 $ — $ — $ 22 Asset impairments 4 (2) — 1 Employee severance and business transition costs 12 28 12 52 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 10 (5) — 5 Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges $ 48 $ 21 $ 12 $ 81
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, 2021 $ 17 $ — $ 77 $ 20 $ 114 Costs 89 40 37 9 175 Payments (15) — (51) (7) (74) Other (72) (40) (3) — (115) Currency — — (1) — (1) Balance at November 30, 2021 $ 19 $ — $ 59 $ 23 $ 101

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Balance Sheet supplemental information: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,826 $ 21,893 Operating lease obligations - current 2,266 2,259 Operating lease obligations - non-current 22,103 22,153 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,369 $ 24,412 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 713 $ 725 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 37 37 Other non-current liabilities 963 974 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,000 $ 1,010
Schedule of Supplemental Income Statement and Other Information	Supplemental income statement information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Statement of Earnings supplemental information: 2021 2020 Operating lease cost Fixed $ 805 $ 805 Variable 1 205 158 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 11 $ 11 Interest 13 13 Sublease income 25 20 Impairment of right-of-use assets 68 10 Gain on sale and leaseback 2 87 93 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. 2 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. Other supplemental information related to leases were as follows (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Other Supplemental Information: 2021 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 846 $ 857 Operating cash flows from finance leases 12 12 Financing cash flows from finance leases 11 10 Total $ 869 $ 879 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 544 $ 787 Finance leases 5 — Total $ 549 $ 787 Average lease term and discount rate were as follows: Weighted average terms and discount rates: November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.2 10.3 Finance leases 20.1 20.2 Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.75 % 4.77 % Finance leases 5.18 % 5.18 %
Schedule of Aggregate Future Lease Payments Under Operating Leases	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of November 30, 2021 were as follows (in millions): Future lease payments: Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2022 (Remaining period) $ 67 $ 2,608 2023 88 3,376 2024 88 3,260 2025 87 3,145 2026 87 3,032 2027 86 2,924 Later 1,054 12,801 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,556 $ 31,146 Less: Present value discount (556) (6,777) Lease liability $ 1,000 $ 24,369
Schedule of Aggregate Future Lease Payments Under Finance Leases	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of November 30, 2021 were as follows (in millions): Future lease payments: Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2022 (Remaining period) $ 67 $ 2,608 2023 88 3,376 2024 88 3,260 2025 87 3,145 2026 87 3,032 2027 86 2,924 Later 1,054 12,801 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,556 $ 31,146 Less: Present value discount (556) (6,777) Lease liability $ 1,000 $ 24,369

Equity method investments (Tabl

Equity method investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments	Equity method investments were as follows (in millions, except percentages): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 4,393 28% $ 4,407 28% Others 1,974 8% - 50% 2,580 8% - 50% Total $ 6,367 $ 6,987
Summarized Financial Information of Equity Method Investments	Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investments in aggregate is as follows: Statements of earnings (loss) (in millions) Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Sales $ 67,588 $ 56,088 Gross Profit 3,420 2,410 Net earnings (loss) 308 (4,806) Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments 93 (1,357)

Goodwill and other intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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): Goodwill roll forward: United States International Walgreens Health Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2021 $ 10,947 $ 1,474 $ — $ 12,421 Acquisitions — — 9,130 9,130 Currency translation adjustments — (32) — (32) November 30, 2021 $ 10,947 $ 1,443 $ 9,130 $ 21,520
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): Intangible assets November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1 $ 4,430 $ 3,522 Primary care provider network 1,660 — Trade names and trademarks 708 361 Purchasing and payer contracts 317 317 Developed technology 290 — Others 75 221 Total gross amortizable intangible assets $ 7,479 $ 4,421 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders 1 $ 1,395 $ 1,335 Trade names and trademarks 228 226 Purchasing and payer contracts 284 227 Developed technology 17 — Others 29 37 Total accumulated amortization 1,953 1,826 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 5,526 $ 2,595 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 5,208 $ 5,276 Pharmacy licenses 2,036 2,066 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 7,244 $ 7,342 Total intangible assets, net $ 12,770 $ 9,936 1 Includes purchased prescription files.
Schedule of Future Amortization Expense	Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at November 30, 2021 is as follows (in millions): 2022 (Remaining period) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 462 $ 560 $ 541 $ 514 $ 490 $ 443

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-Term Borrowings	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars and debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Short-term debt Commercial paper $ 875 $ — Credit facilities 799 — $8 billion note issuance 1 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 2 — 1,250 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 731 — Other 3 242 56 Total short-term debt $ 2,647 $ 1,305 Long-term debt Credit facilities $ 2,990 $ — $850 million note issuance 1 0.9500% unsecured notes due 2023 848 — $1.5 billion note issuance 1 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 497 497 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 792 792 $6 billion note issuance 1 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,442 1,442 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 318 318 $8 billion note issuance 1 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,154 1,154 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 301 301 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 868 868 £700 million note issuance 1 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 403 408 €750 million note issuance 1 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 846 873 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 — 731 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 263 263 Other 3 477 29 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 11,199 $ 7,675 1 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. 2 On September 18, 2021, the Company redeemed in full the $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 issued by the Company on November 18, 2014. 3 Other debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. Other long term debt includes $447 million of debt acquired as part of Shields acquisition. 4 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, the Company 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 the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
Long-Term Debt	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars and debt issuances are denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Short-term debt Commercial paper $ 875 $ — Credit facilities 799 — $8 billion note issuance 1 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 2 — 1,250 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 731 — Other 3 242 56 Total short-term debt $ 2,647 $ 1,305 Long-term debt Credit facilities $ 2,990 $ — $850 million note issuance 1 0.9500% unsecured notes due 2023 848 — $1.5 billion note issuance 1 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030 497 497 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050 792 792 $6 billion note issuance 1 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 1,442 1,442 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 318 318 $8 billion note issuance 1 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,154 1,154 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 301 301 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 868 868 £700 million note issuance 1 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 403 408 €750 million note issuance 1 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 846 873 $4 billion note issuance 4 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 — 731 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 263 263 Other 3 477 29 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 11,199 $ 7,675 1 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. 2 On September 18, 2021, the Company redeemed in full the $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 issued by the Company on November 18, 2014. 3 Other debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. Other long term debt includes $447 million of debt acquired as part of Shields acquisition. 4 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, the Company 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 the Company and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.

Financial instruments (Tables)

Financial instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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): November 30, 2021 Notional Fair Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 5 $ — Other non-current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 153 4 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 17 — Other non-current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 633 8 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 610 17 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 85 1 Other current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 157 5 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 3,900 $ 64 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 2,968 2 Other current liabilities Total return swap 271 11 Other current liabilities August 31, 2021 Notional Fair Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 155 $ 1 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 6 — Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 23 1 Other non-current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 801 23 Other non-current liabilities Foreign currency forwards 575 7 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 31 1 Other current liabilities Cross currency interest rate swaps 109 9 Other current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards $ 3,636 $ 38 Other current assets Total return swap 224 2 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 808 3 Other current liabilities Total return swap 37 — 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 November 30, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2021 2020 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 55 $ (29) Total return swap Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 13 Foreign currency forwards Other income (expense) (1) (9)

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of 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): November 30, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 319 $ 319 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 1 1 — — Investments in debt securities 3 20 — — 20 Foreign currency forwards 5 81 — 81 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 4 — 4 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 5 $ 4 $ — $ 4 $ — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 12 — 12 — Total return swap 11 — 11 — August 31, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 634 $ 634 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 2 2 — — Investments in debt securities 4 663 — — 663 Foreign currency forwards 5 46 — 46 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 1 — 1 — Total return swaps 2 — 2 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 5 $ 5 $ — $ 5 $ — Cross currency interest rate swaps 6 32 — 32 — 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 November 30, 2021 and August 31, 2021. 3 Level 3 debt securities are valued using standard valuation techniques based on income and market approach. 4 Level 3 debt securities include investments in convertible debt securities of VillageMD which are valued on a quarterly basis using the Probability Weighted Expect Return Method with gains or losses recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. Inputs include the enterprise value, expected holding term of the investment, volatility and risk-free interest rates. 5 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 9 Financial instruments, for additional information. 6 The fair value of interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See Note 9 Financial instruments, for additional information.

Retirement benefits (Tables)

Retirement benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Income)	Components of net periodic pension costs (income) for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended November 30, Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings 2021 2020 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 1 Interest costs Other expense 39 33 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (74) (80) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (33) $ (45)

Accumulated other comprehensi_2

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2021 $ (359) $ (10) $ (35) $ 96 $ (29) $ (1,772) $ (2,109) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (1) 1 53 450 (60) (88) 356 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (5) 1 — (577) — (4) (585) Tax benefit (provision) 1 — (9) 31 14 — 37 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (5) 1 44 (96) (46) (91) (193) Balance at November 30, 2021 $ (364) $ (9) $ 9 $ — $ (74) $ (1,863) $ (2,301) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2020 $ (748) $ (31) $ (34) $ — $ (10) $ (2,948) $ (3,771) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 17 4 (14) — 7 72 85 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2) 1 — — — 3 2 Tax benefit (provision) (4) (1) 8 — (1) — 1 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) 11 4 (7) — 5 75 88 Balance at November 30, 2020 $ (736) $ (27) $ (41) $ — $ (5) $ (2,873) $ (3,682)

Segment reporting (Tables)

Segment reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 November 30, 2021 2020 Sales: United States $ 28,032 $ 27,163 International 5,818 4,285 Walgreens Health 51 — Corporate and Other 1 — (10) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 33,901 $ 31,438 Adjusted Operating income: United States $ 1,690 $ 1,155 International 164 87 Walgreens Health (13) (3) Corporate and Other 1 (63) (42) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 1,777 $ 1,196 1 Includes certain eliminations. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Adjusted operating income $ 1,777 $ 1,196 Transformational cost management (203) (100) Acquisition-related amortization (165) (95) Acquisition-related costs (71) (21) Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen (43) (1,481) LIFO provision (14) (33) Operating income (loss) $ 1,283 $ (535)

Sales (Tables)

Sales (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 November 30, 2021 2020 United States Pharmacy $ 21,105 $ 20,869 Retail 6,927 6,294 Total 28,032 27,163 International Pharmacy 1,017 895 Retail 1,796 1,522 Wholesale 3,005 1,868 Total 5,818 4,285 Walgreens Health 51 — Corporate and Other 1 — (10) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 33,901 $ 31,438 1 Includes certain eliminations.

Related parties (Tables)

Related parties (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions): Three months ended November 30, 2021 2020 Purchases, net $ 15,791 $ 15,441 November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,909 $ 6,589

Supplemental information (Table

Supplemental information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021
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 November 30, 2021 2020 Depreciation expense $ 335 $ 342 Intangible asset and other amortization 165 95 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 500 $ 437
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 (in millions): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations $ 4,135 $ 1,193 Restricted cash - continuing operations (included in other current assets) 133 77 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 4,268 $ 1,270
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 (in millions): November 30, 2021 August 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations $ 4,135 $ 1,193 Restricted cash - continuing operations (included in other current assets) 133 77 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 4,268 $ 1,270
Schedule of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	The following represents a roll forward of the redeemable non-controlling interest in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions): Redeemable noncontrolling interest roll forward: Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2021 $ 319 Acquisitions 1 2,489 Net (loss) (21) Redemption value adjustment 7 Currency translation adjustments and other (8) November 30, 2021 $ 2,787 1 Includes $1.9 billion of redeemable non-controlling interest representing the maximum purchase price to redeem non-controlling units in VillageMD for cash. On November 24, 2021, VillageMD commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $1.9 billion of units in VillageMD for cash. As of November 30, 2021, the Company recorded the $1.9 billion as redeemable non-controlling interest. The tender offer was fully subscribed and settled on December 28, 2021. The tender offer was funded by cash proceeds provided to VillageMD pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement.
Schedule of Dividends Payable	Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2021 2020 November $ 0.4775 $ 0.4675

Accounting policies (Details)

Accounting policies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Discontinued operations - Narra

Discontinued operations - Narrative (Details) - Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale - Alliance Healthcare shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Jun. 01, 2021USD ($)shares
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Consideration from disposal	$ 6,900
Cash received from disposal	$ 6,700
Shares issued as part of disposal (in shares) | shares	2
Receivable for purchase price consideration	$ 98

Discontinued operations - Sched

Discontinued operations - Schedules of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 87
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,327
Cost of sales		4,818
Gross profit		509
Selling, general and administrative expense		415
Operating income from discontinued operations		94
Other expense		(2)
Interest expense, net		(4)
Earnings before income tax – discontinued operations		88
Income tax provision		8
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments		7
Net earnings from discontinued operations		87
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		5,327
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations		(45)
Cash used for investing activities - discontinued operations		(19)
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale | Alliance Healthcare | Continuing Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		458
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Sales		$ 458

Acquisitions - Narrative (Detai

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 24, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 23, 2021	Oct. 28, 2021
VillageMD
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Outstanding equity interest percentage	63.00%				30.00%
Purchase price	$ 5,200
Cash consideration, gross	4,000
Promissory note	1,200
Net consideration	2,900
Value of purchase tender offer	1,900
Cash consideration for preferred units	1,100
Gain on sale of equity method investment	1,597
Pre-tax gain related to conversion of previously held investment in convertible debt securities	$ 577
Shields Health Solutions Parent, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Outstanding equity interest percentage		70.00%				25.00%
Gain on sale of equity method investment			$ 402
Cash consideration, subject to purchase price adjustments		$ 969
Other Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration, net			$ 74	$ 38

Acquisitions - Schedule of Purc

Acquisitions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation and Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 24, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Goodwill			$ 21,520	$ 12,421
VillageMD
Purchase Price Allocation:
Total purchase price	$ 5,200
Less: purchase price for issuance of new preferred units at fair value	(2,300)
Net consideration	2,900
Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services	683
Fair value of previously held equity interests	3,211
Fair value of non-controlling interests	3,257
Total	10,051
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Tangible assets	637
Intangible assets	1,982
Liabilities	(241)
Total identifiable net assets	2,378
Goodwill	$ 7,673
Shields Health Solutions Parent, LLC
Purchase Price Allocation:
Cash consideration		$ 969
Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services		13
Fair value of previously held equity interests		502
Fair value of non-controlling interests		589
Total		2,074
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Tangible assets		84
Intangible assets		1,060
Liabilities		(528)
Total identifiable net assets		616
Goodwill		$ 1,457

Exit and disposal activities -

Exit and disposal activities - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 12, 2021USD ($)store	Dec. 20, 2018USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2021store	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2021USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2020USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 01, 2019USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings				$ (30,579)	$ (23,822)	$ (20,563)	$ (21,136)
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings							5
Retained Earnings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings				(38,286)	$ (35,121)	$ (33,495)	(34,210)
Retained Earnings | Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings							$ 3
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred				1,500
Transformational Cost Management Program | United Kingdom
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close | store	150		200
Transformational Cost Management Program | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close | store	150		250
Transformational Cost Management Program | Retained Earnings | Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to decrease retained earnings								$ 508
Lease Obligations and Other Real Estate Costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred				442
Asset Impairments | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred				292
Employee Severance and Business Transition Costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred				550
Information Technology Transformation and Other Exit Costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred				172
Minimum | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected annual cost savings of restructuring plan	$ 3,300	$ 2,000
Expected cost				3,600
Minimum | Exit and Disposal Costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost				3,300
Maximum | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost				3,900
Maximum | Exit and Disposal Costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost				$ 3,600

Exit and disposal activities _2

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Costs (Details) - Transformational Cost Management Program - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	$ 175	$ 81
Reportable segments | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	123	48
Reportable segments | International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	44	21
Corporate and Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	9	12
Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	89	22
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable segments | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	87	22
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable segments | International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	2	0
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Corporate and Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	0	0
Asset impairments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	40	1
Asset impairments | Reportable segments | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	15	4
Asset impairments | Reportable segments | International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	25	(2)
Asset impairments | Corporate and Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	0	0
Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	37	52
Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable segments | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	20	12
Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable segments | International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	10	28
Employee severance and business transition costs | Corporate and Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	7	12
Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	9	5
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable segments | United States
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	1	10
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable segments | International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	7	(5)
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Corporate and Other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	$ 1	$ 0

Exit and disposal activities _3

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Reserve Activity (Details) - Transformational Cost Management Program $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 114
Costs	175
Payments	(74)
Other	(115)
Currency	(1)
Ending balance	101
Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	17
Costs	89
Payments	(15)
Other	(72)
Currency	0
Ending balance	19
Asset Impairments
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Costs	40
Payments	0
Other	(40)
Currency	0
Ending balance	0
Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	77
Costs	37
Payments	(51)
Other	(3)
Currency	(1)
Ending balance	59
Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	20
Costs	9
Payments	(7)
Other	0
Currency	0
Ending balance	$ 23

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	Nov. 30, 2021
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	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Operating Leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 21,826	$ 21,893
Operating lease obligations - current	2,266	2,259
Operating lease obligations - non-current	22,103	22,153
Total operating lease obligations	24,369	24,412
Finance Leases:
Property, plant and equipment, net	713	725
Lease obligations included in:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	37	37
Other non-current liabilities	963	974
Total finance lease obligations	$ 1,000	$ 1,010
Finance lease, right-of-use asset, statement of financial position, extensible enumeration	Property, plant and equipment, net	Property, plant and equipment, net
Finance lease, liability, current, statement of financial position, extensible enumeration	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Finance lease, liability, noncurrent, statement of financial position, extensible enumeration	Other non-current liabilities	Other non-current liabilities

Leases - Supplemental Income St

Leases - Supplemental Income Statement Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Operating lease cost
Fixed	$ 805	$ 805
Variable	205	158
Finance lease cost
Amortization	11	11
Interest	13	13
Sublease income	25	20
Impairment of right-of-use assets	68	10
Gain on sale and leaseback	$ 87	$ 93

Leases - Other Supplemental Inf

Leases - Other Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 846	$ 857
Operating cash flows from finance leases	12	12
Financing cash flows from finance leases	11	10
Total	869	879
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases	544	787
Finance leases	5	0
Total	$ 549	$ 787

Leases - Average Lease Terms An

Leases - Average Lease Terms And Discounts (Details)	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Weighted average remaining lease term in years:
Operating leases	10 years 2 months 12 days	10 years 3 months 18 days
Finance leases	20 years 1 month 6 days	20 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.75%	4.77%
Finance leases	5.18%	5.18%

Leases - Future Lease Payments

Leases - Future Lease Payments for Operating and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Finance lease
2022 (Remaining period)	$ 67
2023	88
2024	88
2025	87
2026	87
2027	86
Later	1,054
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	1,556
Less: Present value discount	(556)
Lease liability	1,000	$ 1,010
Operating lease
2022 (Remaining period)	2,608
2023	3,376
2024	3,260
2025	3,145
2026	3,032
2027	2,924
Later	12,801
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	31,146
Less: Present value discount	(6,777)
Lease liability	$ 24,369	$ 24,412

Equity method investments - Sch

Equity method investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 6,367	$ 6,987
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 4,393	$ 4,407
Ownership percentage	28.30%	28.30%
Others
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of equity method investments	$ 1,974	$ 2,580
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	$ 6,367	$ 6,987

Equity method investments - Nar

Equity method investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 93	$ (1,350)
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding shares owned (in shares)	58,854,867			58,854,867
Ownership percentage	28.30%			28.30%
Period of reporting lag	2 months
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 100	(1,400)
Equity investment, exceeded its proportionate share of net assets	4,300
AmerisourceBergen | Opiod Litigation
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)			$ (5,600)
AmerisourceBergen | Level 1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value of equity investment	6,800			$ 7,200
Other Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	(7)	$ 15
VillageMD
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Gain on sale of equity method investment	$ 2,174

Equity method investments - Sum

Equity method investments - Summarized Financial Information of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 33,901	$ 31,438
Gross profit	7,574	6,630
Net earnings (loss)	3,531	(299)
Share of earnings (loss) from equity method investments	93	(1,357)
Equity Method Investment
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	67,588	56,088
Gross profit	3,420	2,410
Net earnings (loss)	$ 308	$ (4,806)

Goodwill and other intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021	Jun. 01, 2021
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 21,520		$ 12,421
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	7,244		7,342
Amortization of intangible assets	165	$ 95
Minimum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)				18.00%
Maximum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)				195.00%
Other International Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)				29.00%
Goodwill	372
Boots Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 7,200		$ 7,300
Boots Reporting Unit | Minimum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	5.00%
Boots Reporting Unit | Maximum
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	27.00%

Goodwill and other intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 12,421
Acquisitions	9,130
Currency translation adjustments	(32)
Goodwill, ending balance	21,520
Reportable Segments | United States
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	10,947
Acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	10,947
Reportable Segments | International
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,474
Acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	(32)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,443
Reportable Segments | Walgreens Health
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	0
Acquisitions	9,130
Currency translation adjustments	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 9,130

Goodwill and other intangible_5

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	$ 7,479	$ 4,421
Accumulated amortization	1,953	1,826
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	5,526	2,595
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	7,244	7,342
Total intangible assets, net	12,770	9,936
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	5,208	5,276
Pharmacy licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	2,036	2,066
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	4,430	3,522
Accumulated amortization	1,395	1,335
Primary care provider network
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	1,660	0
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	708	361
Accumulated amortization	228	226
Purchasing and payer contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	317	317
Accumulated amortization	284	227
Developed technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	290	0
Accumulated amortization	17	0
Others
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	75	221
Accumulated amortization	$ 29	$ 37

Goodwill and other intangible_6

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense [Abstract]
2022 (Remaining period)	$ 462
2023	560
2023	541
2024	514
2026	490
2027	$ 443

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt (Details)	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2021GBP (£)	Nov. 30, 2021EUR (€)	Nov. 17, 2021USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 18, 2021USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2021USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 2,647,000,000						$ 1,305,000,000
Total long-term debt, less current portion	11,199,000,000						7,675,000,000
Shields Health Solutions Parent, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt assumed					$ 447,000,000
Credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	2,990,000,000						0
3.300% unsecured notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 8,000,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.30%	3.30%	3.30%			3.30%
Total short-term debt	$ 0						1,250,000,000
Debt redeemed						$ 1,250,000,000
3.100% unsecured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	731,000,000						0
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	242,000,000						56,000,000
Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other	477,000,000						29,000,000
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 11,199,000,000						7,675,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.10%	3.10%	3.10%
Long-term debt	$ 0						731,000,000
Unsecured Notes | $850 million note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 850,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 0.9500% Notes Payable, Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 850,000,000
Stated interest rate	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%	0.95%
Long-term debt	$ 848,000,000						0
Unsecured Notes | Total $1.5 billion note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 1,500,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 3.200% unsecured notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.20%	3.20%	3.20%
Long-term debt	$ 497,000,000						497,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 4.100% unsecured notes due 2050
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.10%	4.10%	4.10%
Long-term debt	$ 792,000,000						792,000,000
Unsecured Notes | Total $6 billion note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 6,000,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.45%	3.45%	3.45%
Long-term debt	$ 1,442,000,000						1,442,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.65%	4.65%	4.65%
Long-term debt	$ 318,000,000						318,000,000
Unsecured Notes | Total $8 billion note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 8,000,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.80%	3.80%	3.80%
Long-term debt	$ 1,154,000,000						1,154,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Long-term debt	$ 301,000,000						301,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.80%	4.80%	4.80%
Long-term debt	$ 868,000,000						868,000,000
Unsecured Notes | Total £700 million note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | £		£ 700,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.60%	3.60%	3.60%
Long-term debt	$ 403,000,000						408,000,000
Unsecured Notes | Total €750 million note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | €			€ 750,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.125%	2.125%	2.125%
Long-term debt	$ 846,000,000						873,000,000
Unsecured Notes | Total $4 billion note issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 4,000,000,000
Unsecured Notes | 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	4.40%	4.40%	4.40%
Long-term debt	$ 263,000,000						263,000,000
Commercial paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	875,000,000						0
Credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 799,000,000						$ 0

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details) £ in Millions	Nov. 17, 2021USD ($)	Nov. 15, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 23, 2020USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2020USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2020GBP (£)	Aug. 31, 2021USD ($)	Aug. 29, 2018USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest paid				$ 153,000,000	$ 234,000,000
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to total capitalization ratio				0.60
Commercial paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average daily short-term borrowings				$ 712,000,000	$ 1,600,000,000
Weighted average interest rate				0.25%	0.63%	0.63%
Commercial paper | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average daily short-term borrowings					$ 401,000,000	£ 300
Weighted average interest rate					0.43%	0.43%
Unsecured Notes | 0.9500% Notes Payable, Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 850,000,000
Stated interest rate	0.95%			0.95%
Redemption percentage	100.00%
Redemption variable percentage	0.0010
Amount oustanding				$ 848,000,000			$ 0
Credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount oustanding				2,990,000,000			$ 0
Credit facilities | Delayed Draw Term Loan | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 5,000,000,000
Amount oustanding				3,000,000,000
Credit facilities | Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, 364-Day Facility | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 2,000,000,000
Debt term		364 days
Credit facilities | Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, Two-Year Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 2,000,000,000
Credit facilities | Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, Three-Year Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 1,000,000,000
Credit facilities | 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, 364-Day Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			364 days
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 1,250,000,000
Credit facilities | 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, 18-Month Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			18 months
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 2,250,000,000
Borrowing outstanding				800,000,000
Credit facilities | August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount								$ 3,500,000,000
Borrowing outstanding				$ 0
Credit facilities | Term Loan | Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, Two-Year Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		2 years
Credit facilities | Term Loan | Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, Three-Year Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		3 years
Bridge Loan | 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, 18-Month Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 350,000,000
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
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021
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	$ 55	$ (29)
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	(1)	(9)
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	(2)	$ 13
Other non-current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	5		$ 6
Fair value, assets	0		0
Other non-current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	153		155
Fair value, assets	4		1
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	610		575
Fair value, assets	17		7
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets	3,900		3,636
Fair value, assets	64		38
Other current assets | Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, assets			224
Fair value, assets			2
Other non-current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	17		23
Fair value, liabilities	0		1
Other non-current liabilities | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	633		801
Fair value, liabilities	8		23
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	85		31
Fair value, liabilities	1		1
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	2,968		808
Fair value, liabilities	2		3
Other current liabilities | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	157		109
Fair value, liabilities	5		9
Other current liabilities | Total return swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount, liabilities	271		37
Fair value, liabilities	$ 11		$ 0

Fair value measurements (Detail

Fair value measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021
Recurring
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	$ 319	$ 634
Investments in equity securities	1	2
Investments in debt securities	20	663
Recurring | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	319	634
Investments in equity securities	1	2
Investments in debt securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Investments in debt securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Investments in debt securities	20	663
Recurring | Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	81	46
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	4	5
Recurring | Foreign currency forwards | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Recurring | Foreign currency forwards | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	81	46
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	4	5
Recurring | Foreign currency forwards | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Recurring | Cross currency interest rate swaps
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	4	1
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	12	32
Recurring | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Recurring | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	4	1
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	12	32
Recurring | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Recurring | Total return swap
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset		2
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	11
Recurring | Total return swap | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset		0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0
Recurring | Total return swap | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset		2
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	11
Recurring | Total return swap | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset		$ 0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0
Carrying Value
Liabilities [Abstract]
Fair value of long-term notes outstanding	8,500
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Liabilities [Abstract]
Carrying value of long-term notes outstanding	$ 9,200

Income taxes (Details)

Income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	7.20%	(34.00%)
Income taxes paid	$ 34	$ 16

Retirement benefits (Details)

Retirement benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Total net periodic pension costs (income)	$ (33)	$ (45)
Employer cash contributions to defined benefit pension plans	1
Expected employer cash contributions to defined benefit plan in current fiscal year	40
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Service costs	1	1
Other expense
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Interest costs	39	33
Other income
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Expected returns on plan assets/other	(74)	(80)
United States
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Profit sharing provision expense	69	57
Foreign Plan
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Cost recognized in the consolidated condensed statements of earnings	$ 25	$ 26

Accumulated other comprehensi_3

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 23,822	$ 21,136
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(196)	94
Ending balance	30,579	20,563
Pension/ post-retirement obligations
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(359)	(748)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(1)	17
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(5)	(2)
Tax benefit (provision)	1	(4)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(5)	11
Ending balance	(364)	(736)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(10)	(31)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	1	4
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1	1
Tax benefit (provision)	0	(1)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	1	4
Ending balance	(9)	(27)
Net investment hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(35)	(34)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	53	(14)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Tax benefit (provision)	(9)	8
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	44	(7)
Ending balance	9	(41)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	96	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	450	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(577)	0
Tax benefit (provision)	31	0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(96)	0
Ending balance	0	0
Share of OCI of equity method investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(29)	(10)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(60)	7
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Tax benefit (provision)	14	(1)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(46)	5
Ending balance	(74)	(5)
Cumulative translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,772)	(2,948)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(88)	72
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(4)	3
Tax benefit (provision)	0	0
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(91)	75
Ending balance	(1,863)	(2,873)
Total
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,109)	(3,771)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	356	85
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(585)	2
Tax benefit (provision)	37	1
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(193)	88
Ending balance	$ (2,301)	$ (3,682)

Segment reporting (Details)

Segment reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021USD ($)segment	Nov. 30, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 33,901	$ 31,438
Adjusted operating income	1,777	1,196
Transformational cost management	(203)	(100)
Acquisition-related amortization	(165)	(95)
Acquisition-related costs	(71)	(21)
Adjustments to equity earnings (loss) in AmerisourceBergen	(43)	(1,481)
LIFO provision	(14)	(33)
Operating income (loss)	1,283	(535)
Reportable Segments | United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	28,032	27,163
Adjusted operating income	1,690	1,155
Reportable Segments | International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	5,818	4,285
Adjusted operating income	164	87
Reportable Segments | Walgreens Health
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	51	0
Adjusted operating income	(13)	(3)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	0	(10)
Adjusted operating income	$ (63)	$ (42)

Sales (Details)

Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 33,901	$ 31,438
Reportable Segments | United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	28,032	27,163
Reportable Segments | United States | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	21,105	20,869
Reportable Segments | United States | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	6,927	6,294
Reportable Segments | International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	5,818	4,285
Reportable Segments | International | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	1,017	895
Reportable Segments | International | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	1,796	1,522
Reportable Segments | International | Wholesale
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	3,005	1,868
Reportable Segments | Walgreens Health
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	51	0
Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 0	$ (10)

Related parties (Details)

Related parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Purchases, net	$ 15,791	$ 15,441
Trade accounts payable, net	$ 6,909		$ 6,589

Supplemental information - Narr

Supplemental information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2021
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from related party	$ 1,300		$ 1,100
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant, and equipment	13,300		13,100
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 2,787		319
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS calculations (in shares)	16.1	18.5
Trade Accounts Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 4,600		$ 4,500

Supplemental information - Depr

Supplemental information - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 335	$ 342
Intangible asset and other amortization	165	95
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$ 500	$ 437

Supplemental information - Summ

Supplemental information - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2021	Aug. 31, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,135	$ 1,193
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	4,268	1,270	$ 1,339	$ 746
Continuing Operations
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,135	1,193
Restricted cash	$ 133	$ 77

Supplemental information - Sche

Supplemental information - Schedule of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Nov. 24, 2021	Nov. 30, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 319
Acquisitions		2,489
Net (loss)		(21)
Redemption value adjustment		7
Currency translation adjustments and other		(8)
Ending balance		2,787
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Acquisitions		2,489
VillageMD
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions		1,900
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Acquisitions		$ 1,900
Value of purchase tender offer	$ 1,900

Supplemental information - Su_2

Supplemental information - Summary of Dividends per Share (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2021	Nov. 30, 2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.4775	$ 0.4675