Whole Foods Market (WFM) 10-K 22 Nov 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity

Document and Entity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Nov. 15, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'WHOLE FOODS MARKET INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000865436	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-29	'	'
Document Period End Date	29-Sep-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$16,168,544,914
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	372,138,322	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$290	$89
Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities	733	1,131
Restricted cash	111	103
Accounts receivable	188	197
Merchandise inventories	414	374
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	93	77
Deferred income taxes	151	132
Total current assets	1,980	2,103
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,428	2,193
Long-term investments - available-for-sale securities	302	221
Goodwill	679	663
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	65	62
Deferred income taxes	72	43
Other assets	12	9
Total assets	5,538	5,294
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current installments of capital lease obligations	1	1
Accounts payable	247	247
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members	367	307
Dividends payable	37	26
Other current liabilities	436	396
Total current liabilities	1,088	977
Long-term capital lease obligations, less current installments	26	23
Deferred lease liabilities	500	441
Other long-term liabilities	46	51
Total liabilities	1,660	1,492
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, no par value, 600.0 shares authorized; 375.7 and 371.6 shares issued; 372.4 and 370.9 shares oustanding at 2013 and 2012, respectively	2,765	2,592
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 3.3 and 0.7 shares at 2013 and 2012, respectively	-153	-28
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1	5
Retained earnings	1,265	1,233
Total shareholders' equity	3,878	3,802
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$5,538	$5,294

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	600	600
Common stock, shares issued	375.7	371.6
Common stock, shares outstanding	372.4	370.9
Common stock, par value	'	'
Treasury stock, shares	3.3	0.7

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales	$2,976	$3,058	$3,027	$2,911	$2,727	$2,670	$3,856	$3,391	$12,917	$11,699	$10,108
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,915	1,939	1,926	1,884	1,746	1,700	2,508	2,213	8,288	7,543	6,571
Gross profit	1,061	1,119	1,101	1,027	981	970	1,348	1,178	4,629	4,156	3,537
Direct store expenses	756	781	769	741	689	682	979	871	3,285	2,983	2,629
General and administrative expenses	95	95	91	94	88	86	116	104	397	372	311
Pre-opening expenses	15	13	10	14	12	11	14	10	52	47	41
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	3	2	3	2	4	1	4	3	12	10	8
Operating income	192	228	228	176	188	190	235	190	883	744	548
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4
Investment and other income	3	2	3	2	2	2	3	2	11	8	8
Income before income taxes	195	230	231	178	190	192	238	192	894	752	552
Provision for income taxes	74	88	89	65	73	74	92	74	343	286	209
Net income	$121	$142	$142	$113	$117	$118	$146	$118	$551	$466	$343
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.32	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.48	$1.28	$0.98
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	371.2	364.8	350.5
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.31	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.47	$1.26	$0.97
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted basis (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	374.5	368.9	354.6
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.07	$0.07	$0.07	$1.10	$0.07	$1.40	$0.28	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$551	$466	$343
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-4	5	-1
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-4	5	-1
Comprehensive income	$547	$471	$342

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock	Common stock in treasury	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Retained earnings
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Sep. 26, 2010	$2,373	$1,774	'	$1	$598
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 26, 2010	'	344.1	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	343	'	'	'	343
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1	'	'	-1	'
Dividends ($1.40, $0.28 and $0.20 per common share for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2013, September 30, 2012 and September 25, 2011, respectively)	-71	'	'	'	-71
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans	302	302	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans (in shares)	'	13.7	'	'	'
Tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	18	18	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense	27	27	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 25, 2011	2,991	2,121	'	'	870
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 25, 2011	'	357.8	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	466	'	'	'	466
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	5	'	'	5	'
Dividends ($1.40, $0.28 and $0.20 per common share for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2013, September 30, 2012 and September 25, 2011, respectively)	-103	'	'	'	-103
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans	366	366	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans (in shares)	'	13.8	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-28	'	-28	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	-0.7	-0.7	'	'	'
Tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	63	63	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense	42	42	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2012	3,802	2,592	-28	5	1,233
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	370.9	370.9	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	551	'	'	'	551
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-4	'	'	-4	'
Dividends ($1.40, $0.28 and $0.20 per common share for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2013, September 30, 2012 and September 25, 2011, respectively)	-519	'	'	'	-519
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans	81	81	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock pursuant to team member stock plans (in shares)	'	4.1	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock	-125	'	-125	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	-2.6	-2.6	'	'	'
Tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	36	36	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense	56	56	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 29, 2013	$3,878	$2,765	($153)	$1	$1,265
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2013	372.4	372.4	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.07	$0.07	$0.07	$1.10	$0.07	$1.40	$0.28	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net income	$551	$466	$343
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	339	311	287
Share-based payment expense	57	42	27
LIFO expense	2	'	10
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	-51	-8	20
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	-37	-50	-23
Accretion of premium/discount on marketable securities	31	16	6
Deferred lease liabilities	51	77	53
Other	9	1	3
Net change in current assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	9	-30	-35
Merchandise inventories	-42	-37	-23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-17	-2	-19
Accounts payable	'	10	24
Accrued payroll, bonus and other benefits due team members	60	25	37
Other current liabilities	51	95	54
Net change in other long-term liabilities	-4	4	-9
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,009	920	755
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Development costs of new locations	-339	-262	-203
Other property and equipment expenditures	-198	-194	-162
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-1,252	-3,009	-1,229
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	1,534	2,138	1,156
Increase in restricted cash	-8	-11	-5
Payment for purchase of acquired entities, net of cash acquired	-22	'	-2
Other investing activities	-4	-3	-6
Net cash used in investing activities	-289	-1,341	-451
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Common stock dividends paid	-508	-95	-53
Issuance of common stock	81	370	297
Purchase of treasury stock	-125	-28	'
Excess tax benefit related to exercise of team member stock options	37	50	23
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-2	'	-490
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-517	297	-223
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-2	1	-1
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	201	-123	80
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	89	212	132
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	290	89	212
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid	2	3	16
Federal and state income taxes paid	$378	$202	$192

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	Description of Business
	Whole Foods Market, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “Whole Foods Market,” “Company,” or “we”) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods. The Company’s mission is to promote the vitality and well-being of all individuals by supplying the highest quality, most wholesome foods available. Through our growth, we have had a significant and positive impact on the natural and organic foods movement throughout the United States, helping lead the industry to nationwide acceptance over the last 35 years. As of September 29, 2013, we operated 362 stores: 347 stores in 40 United States (“U.S.”) states and the District of Columbia; 8 stores in Canada; and 7 stores in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”).
	On May 29, 2013, the Company completed a two-for-one stock split. All references made to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures reflect this two-for-one stock split.
	The Company has one operating segment and a single reportable segment, natural and organic foods supermarkets. The following is a summary of annual percentage sales and net long-lived assets by geographic area for the fiscal years indicated:
		2013		2012		2011
	Sales:
	United States	96.7	%	96.8	%	96.9	%
	Canada and United Kingdom	3.3		3.2		3.1
	Total sales	100	%	100	%	100	%
	Long-lived assets, net:
	United States	95.7	%	95.2	%	95.9	%
	Canada and United Kingdom	4.3		4.8		4.1
	Total long-lived assets, net	100	%	100	%	100	%
	The following is a summary of annual percentage sales by product category for the fiscal years indicated:
		2013		2012		2011
	Perishables:
	Prepared foods and bakery	19	%	18.9	%	18.8	%
	Other perishables	47.2		47		46.8
	Total perishables	66.2		65.9		65.6
	Non-perishables	33.8		34.1		34.4
	Total sales	100	%	100	%	100	%

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Definition of Fiscal Year
	The Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Fiscal years 2013 and 2011 were 52-week years and fiscal year 2012 was a 53-week year.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All significant majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
	Investments
	Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary for a period greater than two fiscal quarters results in a reduction of the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis of the security is established. Cost basis is established and maintained utilizing the specific identification method.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash primarily relates to cash held as collateral to support a portion of our projected workers’ compensation obligations. Additionally, the Company holds restricted cash as a rent guarantee on certain operating leases through March 2014.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are shown net of related allowances and consist primarily of credit card receivables, occupancy-related receivables, customer purchases and vendor receivables. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis separate from any related payable due. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience, customer credit risk and application of the specific identification method and totaled approximately $3 million and $4 million in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Inventories
	The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the dollar value retail last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 92.8% and 92.1% of inventories in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Under the LIFO method, the cost assigned to items sold is based on the cost of the most recent items purchased. As a result, the costs of the first items purchased remain in inventory and are used to value ending inventory. The excess of estimated current costs over LIFO carrying value, or LIFO reserve, was approximately $32 million and $30 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Costs for remaining inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out method. Cost before the LIFO adjustment is principally determined using the item cost method, which is calculated by counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase cost (net of vendor allowances) of each item and recording the actual cost of items sold.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company provides depreciation of equipment over the estimated useful lives (generally 3 to 15 years) using the straight-line method, and provides amortization of leasehold improvements and real estate assets under capital leases on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the expected terms of the related leases. The Company provides depreciation of buildings over the estimated useful lives (generally 20 to 50 years) using the straight-line method. Costs related to a projected site determined to be unsatisfactory and general site selection costs that cannot be identified with a specific store location are charged to operations currently. The Company recognizes a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when the obligation is incurred. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings.
	Leases
	The Company leases stores, non-retail facilities and administrative offices under operating leases. Store lease agreements generally include rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and contingent rent provisions for percentage of sales in excess of specified levels. We recognize rent on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease, which includes rent holiday periods and scheduled rent increases. The expected lease term begins with the date the Company takes possession of the leased space for construction and other purposes. The expected lease term may also include the exercise of renewal options if the exercise of the option is determined to be reasonably assured. The expected term is also used in the determination of whether a store is a capital or operating lease. Amortization of land and building under capital lease is included with occupancy costs, while the amortization of equipment under capital lease is included with depreciation expense. Additionally, we review leases for which we are involved in construction to determine whether build-to-suit and sale-leaseback criteria are met. For those leases that trigger specific build-to-suit accounting, developer assets are recorded during the construction period with an offsetting liability. Sale-leaseback transactions are recorded as financing lease obligations. We record tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays as deferred rent liabilities, and amortize the deferred rent over the expected lease term to rent. We record rent liabilities for contingent percentage of sales lease provisions when we determine that it is probable that the specified levels as defined by the lease will be reached.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired enterprises over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually at the Company’s fiscal year end, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, on a reporting unit level. We allocate goodwill to one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing.
	Intangible assets include acquired leasehold rights, favorable lease assets, trade names, brand names, patents, liquor licenses, license agreements, and non-competition agreements. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the period the intangible asset is expected to generate cash flows, generally the life of the related agreement. Currently, the weighted average life is approximately 17 years for contract-based intangible assets, and approximately 2 years for marketing-related and other identifiable intangible assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment quarterly, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. Effective October 1, 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” The adoption of ASU No. 2012-02, which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining if performing a quantitative test is necessary, did not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of
	The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as unplanned negative cash flow or short lease life, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value, based on hierarchy input Level 3, is determined using management’s best estimate based on a discounted cash flow model based on future store operating results using internal projections or based on a review of the future benefit the Company anticipates receiving from the related assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. When the Company impairs assets related to an operating location, a charge to write down the related assets is included in the “Direct store expenses” or “General and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. When the Company commits to relocate, close, or dispose of a location, a charge to write down the related assets to their estimated recoverable value is included in the “Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	•	Level 3: Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
	The Company holds money market fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company also holds available-for-sale securities generally consisting of state and local municipal obligations and variable rate demand notes which hold high credit ratings. These instruments are valued using a series of multi-dimensional relational models and series of matrices with standard inputs obtained from readily available pricing sources and other observable market data, such as benchmark yields and base spread. Investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, included as a component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Declines in fair value below the Company’s carrying value deemed to be other than temporary are charged against net earnings.
	The carrying amounts of accrued payroll, bonuses and other benefits due team members, and other accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturities. Store closure reserves and estimated workers’ compensation claims are recorded at net present value to approximate fair value.
	Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves
	The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company had insurance liabilities totaling approximately $135 million and $115 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Reserves for Closed Properties
	The Company maintains reserves for retail stores and other properties that are no longer being utilized in current operations. The Company provides for closed property operating lease liabilities using the present value of the remaining noncancelable lease payments and lease termination fees after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income. The closed property lease liabilities are expected to be paid over the remaining lease terms, which generally range from 4 months to 16 years. The Company estimates subtenant income and future cash flows based on the Company’s experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located, the Company’s previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and existing economic conditions. Reserves for closed properties are included in the “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The reserves for closed properties include management’s estimates for lease subsidies, lease terminations and future payments on exited real estate. Adjustments to closed property reserves primarily relate to changes in existing economic conditions, subtenant income or actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known.
	Capital lease properties that are closed are reduced to their estimated fair value. Reduction in the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recognized when expected net future cash flows are less than the assets’ carrying value. The Company estimates net future cash flows based on its experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located and, when necessary, utilizes local real estate brokers.
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize revenue for sales of our products at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Sales taxes are not included in revenue.
	Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs
	Cost of goods sold includes cost of inventory sold during the period (net of discounts and allowances), distribution and food preparation costs, and shipping and handling costs. The Company receives various rebates from third-party vendors in the form of purchase or sales volume discounts and payments under cooperative advertising agreements. Purchase volume discounts are calculated based on actual purchase volumes. Volume discounts and cooperative advertising discounts in excess of identifiable advertising costs are recognized as a reduction of cost of goods sold when the related merchandise is sold. Occupancy costs include store rental costs, property taxes, utility costs, repair and maintenance costs, and property insurance. Our largest supplier, United Natural Foods, Inc., accounted for approximately 32%, 31% and 31% of our total purchases in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Direct Store Expenses
	Direct store expenses consist of store-level expenses such as salaries and benefits costs, supplies, depreciation, community marketing and other store-specific costs. Advertising and marketing expense for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $56 million, $51 million and $43 million, respectively. Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred.
	General and Administrative Expenses
	General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits costs, occupancy and other related costs associated with corporate and regional administrative support services.
	Pre-opening Expenses
	Pre-opening expenses include rent expense incurred during construction of new facilities and costs related to new location openings, including costs associated with hiring and training personnel, smallwares, supplies and other miscellaneous costs. Rent expense is generally incurred approximately nine months prior to a store’s opening date. Other pre-opening expenses are incurred primarily in the 60 days prior to a new store opening. Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred.
	Relocation, Store Closure and Lease Termination Costs
	Relocation costs consist of moving costs, estimated remaining net lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with replaced facilities. Store closure costs consist of estimated remaining lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with closed facilities. Lease termination costs consist of estimated remaining net lease payments for terminated leases and idle properties, and associated asset impairments.
	Share-Based Payments
	The Company maintains several share-based incentive plans. We grant both options to purchase common stock and restricted common stock under our Whole Foods Market 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. All options outstanding are governed by the original terms and conditions of the grants. Options are granted at an option price equal to the market value of the stock at the grant date and generally vest ratably over a four- or nine-year period beginning one year from grant date and have a five, seven, or ten year term. The grant date is established once the Company’s Board of Directors approves the grant and all key terms have been determined. The exercise prices of our stock option grants are the closing price on the grant date. Stock option grant terms and conditions are communicated to team members within a relatively short period of time. The Company generally approves one primary stock option grant annually, occurring during a trading window. Restricted common stock is granted at the market price of the stock on the day of grant and generally vests over a three-, four- or six-year period.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes multiple option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term team members will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. The related share-based payment expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense reflected in the Company’s financial statements are reflected as a financing cash flow.
	All full-time team members with a minimum of 400 hours of service may purchase our common stock through payroll deductions under the Company’s Team Member Stock Purchase Plan (“TMSPP”). The TMSPP provides for a 5% discount on the shares’ purchase date market value which meets the share-based payment “Safe Harbor” provisions, and therefore is non-compensatory. As a result, no compensation expense is recognized for our team member stock purchase plan.
	Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities by applying statutory tax rates in effect at the balance sheet date to differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws or rates in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Significant accounting judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company believes that its tax positions are consistent with applicable tax law, but certain positions may be challenged by taxing authorities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, we are subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other state and local taxing authorities. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Treasury Stock
	Under the Company’s stock repurchase program, the Company can repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market that are held in treasury at cost. The subsequent retirement of treasury stock is recorded as a reduction in retained earnings at cost. The Company’s common stock has no par value.
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus, where applicable, the additional common shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options and unvested restricted stock.
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of: net income; unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities; and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes. Effective October 1, 2012, the Company concurrently adopted ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” and ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” both of which amend ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income.” In adopting ASU No. 2011-05, which requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements, the Company added Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amended guidance in ASU No. 2013-02 requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amended guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Company’s Canadian and U.K. operations use their local currency as their functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to Canadian intercompany operations are charged to net income in the period incurred. Foreign currency gains and losses were not material in fiscal year 2013, 2012 or 2011. Intercompany transaction gains and losses associated with our U.K. operations are excluded from the determination of net income since these transactions are considered long-term investments in nature. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates during the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Where appropriate, we have reclassified prior years’ financial statements to conform to current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which amends ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The amendments provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which amends ASC 405, “Liabilities.” The amendments provide guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings, for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The Company held the following financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the hierarchy levels indicated (in millions):
	September 29, 2013	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	73	$	—	$	—	$	73
	Commercial paper	—		104		—		104
	Municipal bonds	—		17		—		17
	Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
	Corporate bonds	—		5		—		5
	Municipal bonds	—		1,010		—		1,010
	Variable rate demand notes	—		20		—		20
	Total	$	73	$	1,156	$	—	$	1,229
	September 30, 2012	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	16	$	—	$	—	$	16
	Municipal bonds	—		8		—		8
	Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
	Commercial paper	—		10		—		10
	Corporate bonds	—		11		—		11
	Municipal bonds	—		983		—		983
	Variable rate demand notes	—		348		—		348
	Total	$	16	$	1,360	$	—	$	1,376
	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
	Assets recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include items such as property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and other assets. These assets are measured at fair value if determined to be impaired. Fair value adjustments, based on hierarchy input Level 3, were not material during fiscal year 2013, 2012, or 2011.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Investments
	The Company holds investments in marketable securities that are classified as either short- or long-term available-for-sale securities. The Company held the following investments at fair value as of the dates indicated (in millions):
		September 29,		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities:
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	10
	Corporate bonds	—		5
	Municipal bonds	713		768
	Variable rate demand notes	20		348
	Total short-term investments - available-for-sale securities	$	733	$	1,131
	Long-term investments - available-for-sale securities:
	Corporate bonds	$	5	$	6
	Municipal bonds	297		215
	Total long-term investments - available-for-sale securities	$	302	$	221
	Gross unrealized holding gains and losses were not material at September 29, 2013 or September 30, 2012. Available-for-sale securities totaling approximately $252 million and $382 million, were in unrealized loss positions at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. The aggregate value of available-for-sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at September 29, 2013 was approximately $22 million. There were no investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at September 30, 2012. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairments during the last three fiscal years.
	At September 29, 2013, the average effective maturity of the Company’s short- and long-term investments was approximately 5 months and 16 months, respectively, compared to approximately 5 months and 15 months, respectively, at September 30, 2012.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment
	Balances of major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	77		$	77
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	2,427			2,220
	Capitalized real estate leases	33			25
	Fixtures and equipment	1,706			1,513
	Construction in progress and equipment not yet in service	269			214
	Property and equipment, gross	4,512			4,049
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,084		)	(1,856		)
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	$	2,428		$	2,193
	Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment totaled approximately $324 million, $297 million and $274 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Property and equipment included accumulated accelerated depreciation and other asset impairments totaling approximately $4 million and $3 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Development costs of new locations totaled approximately $339 million, $262 million and $203 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Construction accruals related to development sites, remodels, and expansions were included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled approximately $103 million and $80 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company recorded goodwill totaling approximately $16 million primarily related to the acquisition of six retail locations during fiscal year 2013. No additions or adjustments to goodwill were recorded during fiscal year 2012. There were no impairments of goodwill during fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011. The Company acquired definite-lived intangible assets totaling approximately $6 million, primarily favorable lease assets related to the acquisition of six retail locations, during fiscal year 2013. Acquisitions of definite-lived intangible assets were not material during fiscal year 2012. The components of intangible assets were as follows (in millions):
		September 29, 2013					September 30, 2012
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization			amount		amortization
	Definite-lived contract-based	$	102	$	(40	)	$	95	$	(35	)
	Definite-lived marketing-related and other	1		(1		)	2		(2		)
	Indefinite-lived contract-based	3					2
	Intangible assets	$	106	$	(41	)	$	99	$	(37	)
	Amortization expense associated with intangible assets totaled approximately $5 million, $6 million and $7 million, during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be approximately as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal year 2014	$	5
	Fiscal year 2015	5
	Fiscal year 2016	4
	Fiscal year 2017	4
	Fiscal year 2018	4
	Future fiscal years	40
	Total future estimated amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets	$	62

Reserves_for_Closed_Properties

Reserves for Closed Properties	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Reserves for Closed Properties
	The following table provides a summary of store closure reserve activity during the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	41		$	45
	Additions	5			4
	Usage	(11		)	(10		)
	Adjustments	1			2
	Ending balance	$	36		$	41
	Additions to store closure reserves primarily relate to the accretion of interest on existing reserves. The Company recorded reserves totaling approximately $1 million related to eight and four new closures during fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Usage primarily related to ongoing cash rental payments totaled approximately $11 million and $10 million during fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	'
	Long-Term Debt
	During fiscal year 2011, the Company repaid the $490 million outstanding balance on the term loan agreement due in 2012. The Company had no long-term debt amounts outstanding during fiscal year 2013 or 2012, and its $350 million line of credit expired in 2012.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Leases
	The Company is committed under certain capital leases for rental of certain equipment, buildings, and land and certain operating leases for rental of facilities and equipment. These leases expire or become subject to renewal clauses at various dates from 2014 to 2054. The Company had capital lease obligations totaling approximately $27 million and $24 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
	Rental expense charged to operations under operating leases for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaled approximately $374 million, $353 million and $322 million, respectively, which included contingent rentals totaling approximately $13 million, $12 million and $10 million during those same periods. Sublease rental income totaled approximately $8 million, $8 million and $7 million during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Minimum rental commitments and sublease rental income required by all noncancelable leases are approximately as follows (in millions):
		Capital		Operating		Sublease
	Fiscal year 2014	$	3	$	359	$	7
	Fiscal year 2015	3		404		6
	Fiscal year 2016	3		432		6
	Fiscal year 2017	3		437		5
	Fiscal year 2018	3		444		4
	Future fiscal years	33		5,366		9
		48		$	7,442	$	37
	Less amounts representing interest	19
	Net present value of capital lease obligations	$	29
	The present values of future minimum obligations for capital leases shown above are calculated based on interest rates determined at the inception of the lease, or upon acquisition of the original lease.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	Components of income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated were as follows (in millions):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current federal income tax	$	321		$	234		$	145
	Current state income tax	73			53			39
	Current foreign income tax	3			4			5
	Total current tax	397			291			189
	Deferred federal income tax	(44		)	1			21
	Deferred state income tax	(10		)	(6		)	—
	Deferred foreign income tax	—			—			(1		)
	Total deferred tax	(54		)	(5		)	20
	Total income tax expense	$	343		$	286		$	209
	Actual income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated differed from the amount computed by applying statutory corporate income tax rates to income before income taxes as follows (in millions):
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax based on statutory rates	$	313		$	263		$	193
	Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Share-based payment expense	—			—			(1		)
	Excess charitable contributions	(7		)	(5		)	(1		)
	Federal income tax credits	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
	Other, net	—			1			—
	Total federal income taxes	303			256			186
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	41			31			24
	Tax impact of foreign operations	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Total income tax expense	$	343		$	286		$	209
	Current income taxes receivable totaled approximately $7 million at September 29, 2013 and current income taxes payable totaled approximately $14 million at September 30, 2012.
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Compensation-related costs	$	122		$	98
	Insurance-related costs	48			41
	Inventories	1			1
	Lease and other termination accruals	15			17
	Rent differential	139			123
	Deferred taxes associated with unrecognized tax benefit	—			1
	Tax basis of fixed assets in excess of book basis	7			6
	Net domestic and international operating loss carryforwards	18			18
	Other	5			5
	Gross deferred tax assets	355			310
	Valuation allowance	(26		)	(25		)
	Deferred tax assets	329			285
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Financial basis of fixed assets in excess of tax basis	(102		)	(106		)
	Capitalized costs expensed for tax purposes	(4		)	(4		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(106		)	(110		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	223		$	175
	Deferred taxes have been classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Current assets	$	151		$	132
	Noncurrent assets	72			43
	Net deferred tax asset	$	223		$	175
	At September 29, 2013, the Company had international operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $89 million, all of which have an indefinite life. The Company provided a valuation allowance totaling approximately $26 million for deferred tax assets associated with international operating loss carryforwards, federal credit carryforwards, and deferred tax assets associated with unrecognized tax benefits, for which management has determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes that it is more likely than not that we will fully realize the remaining domestic deferred tax assets in the form of future tax deductions based on the nature of these deductible temporary differences and a history of profitable operations.
	The Company intends to utilize earnings in foreign operations for an indefinite period of time, or to repatriate such earnings only when tax-efficient to do so. If these amounts were distributed to the United States, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.
	At September 29, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $3 million (not including accrued interest and penalties). The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which exclude interest and penalties, for the two fiscal years ended September 29, 2013, is as follows (in millions):
	Balance at September 25, 2011	$	6
	Decrease related to prior year tax positions	(2		)
	Balance at September 30, 2012	4
	Decrease related to lapse of statute of limitations	(1		)
	Balance at September 29, 2013	$	3
	The Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits are classified in the “Other long-term liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the Company were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded at September 29, 2013, the total gross unrecognized tax benefit totaling approximately $3 million would benefit the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. In addition, associated penalties and interest previously recognized would also benefit the effective tax rate. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within its global operations as a component of income tax expense. Interest and penalties were not material for the last three fiscal years. The Company had accrued approximately $2 million for the payment of interest and penalties at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
	The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file income tax returns with federal, state and local tax authorities within the United States. The Company’s foreign affiliates file income tax returns in Canada and the United Kingdom. The IRS of the United States completed its examination of the Company’s federal tax returns for its fiscal years 2009 and 2010 during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2009 and is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2008.
Although a reasonably reliable estimate of the period of cash settlement with respective taxing authorities cannot be determined due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future cash outflows associated with the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, as of September 29, 2013, the Company does not expect tax audit resolutions will reduce its unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Shareholders’ Equity
	Common Stock
	On May 7, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock, which was effected through a stock dividend distributed on May 29, 2013. All references made to share or per share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures reflect this two-for-one stock split.
	Dividends per Common Share
	The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 (in millions, except per share amounts):
	Date of declaration	Dividend per			Date of record		Date of payment		Total amount
		common share
	Fiscal year 2013:
	November 29, 2012	$	1		December 10, 2012		December 21, 2012		$	371
	November 7, 2012	0.1			January 18, 2013		January 29, 2013		37
	March 15, 2013	0.1			April 12, 2013		April 23, 2013		37
	June 12, 2013	0.1			July 5, 2013		July 16, 2013		37
	September 10, 2013 (1)	0.1			September 27, 2013		October 8, 2013		37
	Fiscal year 2012:
	November 2, 2011	$	0.07		January 13, 2012		January 24, 2012		$	25
	March 9, 2012	0.07			April 5, 2012		April 17, 2012		26
	May 30, 2012	0.07			June 29, 2012		July 10, 2012		26
	September 6, 2012	0.07			September 28, 2012		October 9, 2012		26
	(1) Dividend accrued at September 29, 2013
	Treasury Stock
	The following table outlines the share repurchase programs authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and the related repurchase activity as of September 29, 2013 (in millions):
	Authorization date		Expiration date	Amount authorized				Cost of repurchases			Authorization available
	November 2, 2011		November 1, 2013	$	200			$	153		$	47
	November 15, 2012		December 31, 2014	300				—			300
				$	500			$	153		$	347
	Share repurchase activity for the fiscal years indicated was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
		2013			2012
	Number of common shares acquired	2.6			0.7
	Average price per common share acquired	$	48.7		$	41.34
	Total cost of common shares acquired	$	125		$	28
	Subsequent to fiscal year-end, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program whereby the Company may make up to $500 million in stock purchases of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company through December 31, 2015. This repurchase program is in addition to, and does not supersede or modify, the Company’s previously authorized program to repurchase an amount of outstanding common shares of the Company having an aggregate value of $300 million through December 31, 2014 bringing the Company’s total share repurchase authority to $800 million.
	Under the repurchase programs, purchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases or purchases through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, all in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The specific timing, price and size of purchases will depend on prevailing stock prices, general economic conditions and market conditions, and other considerations. The repurchase programs do not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Share
	The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents consisting of incremental common shares deemed outstanding from the assumed exercise of stock options and the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the fiscal years indicated follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$	551	$	466	$	343
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	371.2		364.8		350.5
	(denominator for basic earnings per share)
	Potential common shares outstanding:
	Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options	3.3		4.1		4.1
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional	374.5		368.9		354.6
	common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.48	$	1.28	$	0.98
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.47	$	1.26	$	0.97
	The computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 does not include options to purchase approximately 7.1 million shares, 0.8 million shares and 11.6 million shares of common stock, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect. The dilutive effect of restricted stock awards was not material.

ShareBased_Payments

Share-Based Payments	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	Share-Based Payments
	Total share-based payment expense before income taxes recognized during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $57 million, $42 million and $27 million, respectively. Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
		2013				2012				2011
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	2			$	2			$	1
	Direct store expenses	32				22				14
	General and administrative expenses	23				18				12
	Share-based payment expense before income taxes	57				42				27
	Income tax benefit	(22		)		(16		)		(10		)
	Net share-based payment expense	$	35			$	26			$	17
	Stock Options
	At September 29, 2013, September 30, 2012 and September 25, 2011 approximately 42.3 million shares, 16.8 million shares and 23.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, were available for future stock incentive grants. The following table summarizes option activity (in millions, except per share amounts and contractual lives in years):
			Number			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
			of options			average				average		intrinsic
			outstanding			exercise price				remaining		value
										contractual life
	Outstanding options at September 26, 2010		37.9			$	23
	Options granted		6.4			31.25
	Options exercised		(13.6	)		21.97
	Options expired		(2.8	)		33.31
	Options forfeited		(0.6	)		18.97
	Outstanding options at September 25, 2011		27.3			$	24.5
	Options granted		7.2			44.23
	Options exercised		(13.7	)		26.44
	Options expired		(0.1	)		25.1
	Options forfeited		(0.7	)		28.32
	Outstanding options at September 30, 2012		20			$	30.17
	Options granted		4.3			51.33
	Options exercised		(4.1	)		20.52
	Options expired		(0.1	)		18.86
	Options forfeited		(0.9	)		37.2
	Outstanding options at September 29, 2013		19.2			$	36.9			5.2		$	413
	Vested/expected to vest at September 29, 2013		18			$	36.37			5.15		$	395
	Exercisable options at September 29, 2013		5.6			$	26.6			4.22		$	179
	The weighted average fair value per option granted during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $12.36, $13.68 and $10.92, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options at exercise, represented in the table above, was approximately $125 million, $201 million, and $106 million during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company realized a tax benefit from stock options exercised during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaling approximately $123 million, $198 million and $105 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $246 million, $186 million and $129 million, respectively, including the value of vested options exercised during those same periods. As of the end of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, there was approximately $130 million and $135 million of unrecognized share-based payment expense, respectively, related to nonvested stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, related to approximately 12.4 million shares and 14.2 million shares, respectively. The Company anticipates this expense to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.1 years.
	A summary of options outstanding and exercisable at September 29, 2013 follows (share amounts in millions):
	Range of Exercise Prices								Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	From				To				Number			Weighted		Weighted average	Number	Weighted
									of options			average		remaining	of options	average
									outstanding			exercise price		life (in years)	exercisable	exercise price
	$	5.56			$	18.49			1.3			$	9.6	2.64	1.2	$	9.5
	20.42				28.5				3			20.43		4.21	1.5	20.42
	31.25				31.25				4.3			31.25		4.6	1.6	31.25
	40.81				46.28				6.6			44.29		5.63	1.3	44.22
	51.25				51.86				4			51.86		6.67	—	—
	Total								19.2			$	36.9	5.2	5.6	$	26.6
	Share-based payment expense related to vesting stock options recognized during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaled approximately $56 million, $42 million and $27 million, respectively.
	The fair value of stock option grants has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		2013			2012			2011
	Expected dividend yield	0.88	%		0.8	%		0.698	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77	%		0.58	%		1.76	%
	Expected volatility	31.25	%		40.89	%		43.84	%
	Expected life, in years	3.96			4.14			4.18
	Risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve on the date of the grant for the time period equal to the expected term of the grant. Expected volatility is calculated using a ratio of implied volatility based on the Newton-Raphson method of bisection, and four or six year historical volatilities based on the expected life of each tranche of options. The Company determined the use of implied volatility versus historical volatility represents a more accurate calculation of option fair value. Expected life is calculated in two tranches based on weighted average percentage of unexpired options and exercise-after-vesting information over the last five or seven years. Unvested options are included in the term calculation using the “mid-point scenario” which assumes that unvested options will be exercised halfway between vest and expiration date. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience. In addition to the above valuation assumptions, the Company estimates an annual forfeiture rate for unvested options and adjusts fair value expense accordingly. The Company monitors actual forfeiture activity and adjusts the rate from time to time as necessary.
	Restricted Stock
	During fiscal year 2013, the Company awarded approximately 83,000 shares of restricted common stock pursuant to the Whole Foods Market 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Fair value of the restricted share issuance on grant date totaled approximately $4 million. Restricted shares vest over a three-, four- or six-year term. Share-based payment expense related to restricted shares, included in the “General and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was not material during fiscal year 2013. At September 29, 2013, there was approximately $3 million of unrecognized share-based payment expense related to unvested restricted stock. The number of shares, grant date fair value, and share-based payment expense related to the issuance of restricted common stock were not material during fiscal year 2012 or 2011.
	Team Member Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the Team Member Stock Purchase Plan, the Company issued approximately 80,000, 120,000 and 120,000 shares of common stock in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At September 29, 2013, September 30, 2012 and September 25, 2011, approximately 540,000, 620,000 and 740,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, were available for future issuance.

Team_Member_401k_Plan

Team Member 401(k) Plan	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Team Member 401(k) Plan
	The Company offers a team member 401(k) plan to all team members with a minimum of 1,000 service hours in one year. In fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company made cash contributions to the plan of approximately $6 million, $5 million and $5 million, respectively.

Quarterly_Results_unaudited

Quarterly Results (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	Quarterly Results (unaudited)
	The Company’s first quarter consists of 16 weeks, the second and third quarters each are 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter is 12 or 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2013 was a 52-week year with 12 weeks in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 was a 53-week year with 13 weeks in the fourth quarter. Because the first quarter is longer than the remaining quarters, it typically represents a larger share of our annual sales from existing stores. Quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operations have been and may be materially impacted by the timing of new store openings. The Company believes that the following information reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
	The following tables set forth selected unaudited quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations information for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 (in millions, except per share amounts):
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year 2013
	Sales	$	3,856	$	3,027	$	3,058	$	2,976
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	2,508		1,926		1,939		1,915
	Gross profit	1,348		1,101		1,119		1,061
	Direct store expenses	979		769		781		756
	General and administrative expenses	116		91		95		95
	Pre-opening expenses	14		10		13		15
	Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	4		3		2		3
	Operating income	235		228		228		192
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—
	Investment and other income	3		3		2		3
	Income before income taxes	238		231		230		195
	Provision for income taxes	92		89		88		74
	Net income	$	146	$	142	$	142	$	121
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.39	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.33
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.39	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.32
	Dividends declared per common share	$	1.1	$	0.1	$	0.1	$	0.1
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year 2012
	Sales	$	3,391	$	2,670	$	2,727	$	2,911
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	2,213		1,700		1,746		1,884
	Gross profit	1,178		970		981		1,027
	Direct store expenses	871		682		689		741
	General and administrative expenses	104		86		88		94
	Pre-opening expenses	10		11		12		14
	Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	3		1		4		2
	Operating income	190		190		188		176
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—
	Investment and other income	2		2		2		2
	Income before income taxes	192		192		190		178
	Provision for income taxes	74		74		73		65
	Net income	$	118	$	118	$	117	$	113
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.33	$	0.32	$	0.32	$	0.3
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.33	$	0.32	$	0.31	$	0.3
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.07	$	0.07	$	0.07	$	0.07

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is exposed to claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business and uses various methods to resolve these matters in a manner that we believe best serves the interests of our stakeholders. Our primary contingencies are associated with insurance and self-insurance obligations and litigation matters. Estimation of our insurance and self-insurance liabilities requires significant judgments, and actual claim settlements and associated expenses may differ from our current provisions for loss. We have exposures to loss contingencies arising from pending or threatened litigation for which assessing and estimating the outcomes of these matters involve substantial uncertainties.
	The Company evaluates contingencies on an ongoing basis and has established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Insurance and legal settlement liabilities are included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We believe the recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements are adequate in light of the probable and estimable liabilities.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Related Party Transactions
	The Company provides ongoing support to two independent nonprofit organizations: Whole Planet Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation (the “Foundations”). Whole Planet Foundation’s mission is to empower the poor through microcredit, with a focus on developing-world communities that supply the Company’s stores with product. Whole Kids Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition through partnerships with schools, educators and other organizations. The Board of Directors of each of the Foundations is principally comprised of members of the Company’s management. Additionally, the Company provides administrative support and covers all operating costs of the Foundations.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Definition of Fiscal Year	'
	Definition of Fiscal Year
	The Company reports its results of operations on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in September. Fiscal years 2013 and 2011 were 52-week years and fiscal year 2012 was a 53-week year.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All significant majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
Investments	'
	Investments
	Available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. A decline in the fair value of any available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed to be other than temporary for a period greater than two fiscal quarters results in a reduction of the carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis of the security is established. Cost basis is established and maintained utilizing the specific identification method.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash primarily relates to cash held as collateral to support a portion of our projected workers’ compensation obligations. Additionally, the Company holds restricted cash as a rent guarantee on certain operating leases through March 2014.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are shown net of related allowances and consist primarily of credit card receivables, occupancy-related receivables, customer purchases and vendor receivables. Vendor receivable balances are generally presented on a gross basis separate from any related payable due. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience, customer credit risk and application of the specific identification method and totaled approximately $3 million and $4 million in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the dollar value retail last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 92.8% and 92.1% of inventories in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Under the LIFO method, the cost assigned to items sold is based on the cost of the most recent items purchased. As a result, the costs of the first items purchased remain in inventory and are used to value ending inventory. The excess of estimated current costs over LIFO carrying value, or LIFO reserve, was approximately $32 million and $30 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. Costs for remaining inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out method. Cost before the LIFO adjustment is principally determined using the item cost method, which is calculated by counting each item in inventory, assigning costs to each of these items based on the actual purchase cost (net of vendor allowances) of each item and recording the actual cost of items sold.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company provides depreciation of equipment over the estimated useful lives (generally 3 to 15 years) using the straight-line method, and provides amortization of leasehold improvements and real estate assets under capital leases on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the expected terms of the related leases. The Company provides depreciation of buildings over the estimated useful lives (generally 20 to 50 years) using the straight-line method. Costs related to a projected site determined to be unsatisfactory and general site selection costs that cannot be identified with a specific store location are charged to operations currently. The Company recognizes a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when the obligation is incurred. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the balance sheet and any gain or loss is reflected in earnings.
Leases	'
	Leases
	The Company leases stores, non-retail facilities and administrative offices under operating leases. Store lease agreements generally include rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and contingent rent provisions for percentage of sales in excess of specified levels. We recognize rent on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease, which includes rent holiday periods and scheduled rent increases. The expected lease term begins with the date the Company takes possession of the leased space for construction and other purposes. The expected lease term may also include the exercise of renewal options if the exercise of the option is determined to be reasonably assured. The expected term is also used in the determination of whether a store is a capital or operating lease. Amortization of land and building under capital lease is included with occupancy costs, while the amortization of equipment under capital lease is included with depreciation expense. Additionally, we review leases for which we are involved in construction to determine whether build-to-suit and sale-leaseback criteria are met. For those leases that trigger specific build-to-suit accounting, developer assets are recorded during the construction period with an offsetting liability. Sale-leaseback transactions are recorded as financing lease obligations. We record tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays as deferred rent liabilities, and amortize the deferred rent over the expected lease term to rent. We record rent liabilities for contingent percentage of sales lease provisions when we determine that it is probable that the specified levels as defined by the lease will be reached.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired enterprises over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually at the Company’s fiscal year end, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, on a reporting unit level. We allocate goodwill to one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing.
	Intangible assets include acquired leasehold rights, favorable lease assets, trade names, brand names, patents, liquor licenses, license agreements, and non-competition agreements. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the period the intangible asset is expected to generate cash flows, generally the life of the related agreement. Currently, the weighted average life is approximately 17 years for contract-based intangible assets, and approximately 2 years for marketing-related and other identifiable intangible assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment quarterly, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. Effective October 1, 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” The adoption of ASU No. 2012-02, which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining if performing a quantitative test is necessary, did not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of
	The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as unplanned negative cash flow or short lease life, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value, based on hierarchy input Level 3, is determined using management’s best estimate based on a discounted cash flow model based on future store operating results using internal projections or based on a review of the future benefit the Company anticipates receiving from the related assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. When the Company impairs assets related to an operating location, a charge to write down the related assets is included in the “Direct store expenses” or “General and administrative expenses” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. When the Company commits to relocate, close, or dispose of a location, a charge to write down the related assets to their estimated recoverable value is included in the “Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	•	Level 3: Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
	The Company holds money market fund investments that are classified as cash equivalents that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company also holds available-for-sale securities generally consisting of state and local municipal obligations and variable rate demand notes which hold high credit ratings. These instruments are valued using a series of multi-dimensional relational models and series of matrices with standard inputs obtained from readily available pricing sources and other observable market data, such as benchmark yields and base spread. Investments are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, included as a component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Declines in fair value below the Company’s carrying value deemed to be other than temporary are charged against net earnings.
	The carrying amounts of accrued payroll, bonuses and other benefits due team members, and other accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturities. Store closure reserves and estimated workers’ compensation claims are recorded at net present value to approximate fair value.
Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves	'
	Insurance and Self-Insurance Reserves
	The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance plans to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property insurance, director and officers’ liability insurance, vehicle liability, and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company had insurance liabilities totaling approximately $135 million and $115 million at September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, included in the “Other current liabilities” line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reserves for Closed Properties	'
	Reserves for Closed Properties
	The Company maintains reserves for retail stores and other properties that are no longer being utilized in current operations. The Company provides for closed property operating lease liabilities using the present value of the remaining noncancelable lease payments and lease termination fees after the closing date, net of estimated subtenant income. The closed property lease liabilities are expected to be paid over the remaining lease terms, which generally range from 4 months to 16 years. The Company estimates subtenant income and future cash flows based on the Company’s experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located, the Company’s previous efforts to dispose of similar assets and existing economic conditions. Reserves for closed properties are included in the “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The reserves for closed properties include management’s estimates for lease subsidies, lease terminations and future payments on exited real estate. Adjustments to closed property reserves primarily relate to changes in existing economic conditions, subtenant income or actual exit costs differing from original estimates. Adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the changes become known.
	Capital lease properties that are closed are reduced to their estimated fair value. Reduction in the carrying values of property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recognized when expected net future cash flows are less than the assets’ carrying value. The Company estimates net future cash flows based on its experience and knowledge of the area in which the closed property is located and, when necessary, utilizes local real estate brokers.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We recognize revenue for sales of our products at the point of sale. Discounts provided to customers at the point of sale are recognized as a reduction in sales as the products are sold. Sales taxes are not included in revenue.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs	'
	Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs
	Cost of goods sold includes cost of inventory sold during the period (net of discounts and allowances), distribution and food preparation costs, and shipping and handling costs. The Company receives various rebates from third-party vendors in the form of purchase or sales volume discounts and payments under cooperative advertising agreements. Purchase volume discounts are calculated based on actual purchase volumes. Volume discounts and cooperative advertising discounts in excess of identifiable advertising costs are recognized as a reduction of cost of goods sold when the related merchandise is sold. Occupancy costs include store rental costs, property taxes, utility costs, repair and maintenance costs, and property insurance. Our largest supplier, United Natural Foods, Inc., accounted for approximately 32%, 31% and 31% of our total purchases in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Direct Store Expenses	'
	Direct Store Expenses
	Direct store expenses consist of store-level expenses such as salaries and benefits costs, supplies, depreciation, community marketing and other store-specific costs. Advertising and marketing expense for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $56 million, $51 million and $43 million, respectively. Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred.
General and Administrative Expenses	'
	General and Administrative Expenses
	General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and benefits costs, occupancy and other related costs associated with corporate and regional administrative support services.
Pre-opening Expenses	'
	Pre-opening Expenses
	Pre-opening expenses include rent expense incurred during construction of new facilities and costs related to new location openings, including costs associated with hiring and training personnel, smallwares, supplies and other miscellaneous costs. Rent expense is generally incurred approximately nine months prior to a store’s opening date. Other pre-opening expenses are incurred primarily in the 60 days prior to a new store opening. Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred.
Relocation, Store Closure and Lease Termination Costs	'
	Relocation, Store Closure and Lease Termination Costs
	Relocation costs consist of moving costs, estimated remaining net lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with replaced facilities. Store closure costs consist of estimated remaining lease payments, accelerated depreciation costs, related asset impairment, and other costs associated with closed facilities. Lease termination costs consist of estimated remaining net lease payments for terminated leases and idle properties, and associated asset impairments.
Share-Based Payments	'
	Share-Based Payments
	The Company maintains several share-based incentive plans. We grant both options to purchase common stock and restricted common stock under our Whole Foods Market 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. All options outstanding are governed by the original terms and conditions of the grants. Options are granted at an option price equal to the market value of the stock at the grant date and generally vest ratably over a four- or nine-year period beginning one year from grant date and have a five, seven, or ten year term. The grant date is established once the Company’s Board of Directors approves the grant and all key terms have been determined. The exercise prices of our stock option grants are the closing price on the grant date. Stock option grant terms and conditions are communicated to team members within a relatively short period of time. The Company generally approves one primary stock option grant annually, occurring during a trading window. Restricted common stock is granted at the market price of the stock on the day of grant and generally vests over a three-, four- or six-year period.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes multiple option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term team members will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. The related share-based payment expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense reflected in the Company’s financial statements are reflected as a financing cash flow.
	All full-time team members with a minimum of 400 hours of service may purchase our common stock through payroll deductions under the Company’s Team Member Stock Purchase Plan (“TMSPP”). The TMSPP provides for a 5% discount on the shares’ purchase date market value which meets the share-based payment “Safe Harbor” provisions, and therefore is non-compensatory. As a result, no compensation expense is recognized for our team member stock purchase plan.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities by applying statutory tax rates in effect at the balance sheet date to differences between the book basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws or rates in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Significant accounting judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company believes that its tax positions are consistent with applicable tax law, but certain positions may be challenged by taxing authorities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, we are subject to periodic audits and examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other state and local taxing authorities. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Treasury Stock	'
	Treasury Stock
	Under the Company’s stock repurchase program, the Company can repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market that are held in treasury at cost. The subsequent retirement of treasury stock is recorded as a reduction in retained earnings at cost. The Company’s common stock has no par value.
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the fiscal period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus, where applicable, the additional common shares that would have been outstanding related to dilutive options and unvested restricted stock.
Comprehensive Income	'
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of: net income; unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities; and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income taxes. Effective October 1, 2012, the Company concurrently adopted ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” and ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” both of which amend ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income.” In adopting ASU No. 2011-05, which requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements, the Company added Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income following our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amended guidance in ASU No. 2013-02 requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amended guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Company’s Canadian and U.K. operations use their local currency as their functional currency. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to Canadian intercompany operations are charged to net income in the period incurred. Foreign currency gains and losses were not material in fiscal year 2013, 2012 or 2011. Intercompany transaction gains and losses associated with our U.K. operations are excluded from the determination of net income since these transactions are considered long-term investments in nature. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates during the fiscal year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Where appropriate, we have reclassified prior years’ financial statements to conform to current year presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which amends ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” The amendments provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and may be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force),” which amends ASC 405, “Liabilities.” The amendments provide guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings, for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively. The provisions are effective for the Company’s first quarter of fiscal year ending September 27, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Description_of_Business_Tables

Description of Business (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of annual percentage sales and net long-lived assets by geographic area for the fiscal years indicated:
		2013		2012		2011
	Sales:
	United States	96.7	%	96.8	%	96.9	%
	Canada and United Kingdom	3.3		3.2		3.1
	Total sales	100	%	100	%	100	%
	Long-lived assets, net:
	United States	95.7	%	95.2	%	95.9	%
	Canada and United Kingdom	4.3		4.8		4.1
	Total long-lived assets, net	100	%	100	%	100	%
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of annual percentage sales by product category for the fiscal years indicated:
		2013		2012		2011
	Perishables:
	Prepared foods and bakery	19	%	18.9	%	18.8	%
	Other perishables	47.2		47		46.8
	Total perishables	66.2		65.9		65.6
	Non-perishables	33.8		34.1		34.4
	Total sales	100	%	100	%	100	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company held the following financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis based on the hierarchy levels indicated (in millions):
	September 29, 2013	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	73	$	—	$	—	$	73
	Commercial paper	—		104		—		104
	Municipal bonds	—		17		—		17
	Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
	Corporate bonds	—		5		—		5
	Municipal bonds	—		1,010		—		1,010
	Variable rate demand notes	—		20		—		20
	Total	$	73	$	1,156	$	—	$	1,229
	September 30, 2012	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund	$	16	$	—	$	—	$	16
	Municipal bonds	—		8		—		8
	Marketable securities - available-for-sale:
	Commercial paper	—		10		—		10
	Corporate bonds	—		11		—		11
	Municipal bonds	—		983		—		983
	Variable rate demand notes	—		348		—		348
	Total	$	16	$	1,360	$	—	$	1,376

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company held the following investments at fair value as of the dates indicated (in millions):
		September 29,		September 30,
		2013		2012
	Short-term investments - available-for-sale securities:
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	10
	Corporate bonds	—		5
	Municipal bonds	713		768
	Variable rate demand notes	20		348
	Total short-term investments - available-for-sale securities	$	733	$	1,131
	Long-term investments - available-for-sale securities:
	Corporate bonds	$	5	$	6
	Municipal bonds	297		215
	Total long-term investments - available-for-sale securities	$	302	$	221

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Balances of major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	77		$	77
	Buildings and leasehold improvements	2,427			2,220
	Capitalized real estate leases	33			25
	Fixtures and equipment	1,706			1,513
	Construction in progress and equipment not yet in service	269			214
	Property and equipment, gross	4,512			4,049
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,084		)	(1,856		)
	Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	$	2,428		$	2,193

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived And Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of intangible assets were as follows (in millions):
		September 29, 2013					September 30, 2012
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Gross carrying		Accumulated
		amount		amortization			amount		amortization
	Definite-lived contract-based	$	102	$	(40	)	$	95	$	(35	)
	Definite-lived marketing-related and other	1		(1		)	2		(2		)
	Indefinite-lived contract-based	3					2
	Intangible assets	$	106	$	(41	)	$	99	$	(37	)
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	Future amortization expense associated with the net carrying amount of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated to be approximately as follows (in millions):
	Fiscal year 2014	$	5
	Fiscal year 2015	5
	Fiscal year 2016	4
	Fiscal year 2017	4
	Fiscal year 2018	4
	Future fiscal years	40
	Total future estimated amortization associated with definite-lived intangible assets	$	62

Reserves_for_Closed_Properties1

Reserves for Closed Properties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides a summary of store closure reserve activity during the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	41		$	45
	Additions	5			4
	Usage	(11		)	(10		)
	Adjustments	1			2
	Ending balance	$	36		$	41

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital and Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Minimum rental commitments and sublease rental income required by all noncancelable leases are approximately as follows (in millions):
		Capital		Operating		Sublease
	Fiscal year 2014	$	3	$	359	$	7
	Fiscal year 2015	3		404		6
	Fiscal year 2016	3		432		6
	Fiscal year 2017	3		437		5
	Fiscal year 2018	3		444		4
	Future fiscal years	33		5,366		9
		48		$	7,442	$	37
	Less amounts representing interest	19
	Net present value of capital lease obligations	$	29

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Components of income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated were as follows (in millions):
		2013			2012			2011
	Current federal income tax	$	321		$	234		$	145
	Current state income tax	73			53			39
	Current foreign income tax	3			4			5
	Total current tax	397			291			189
	Deferred federal income tax	(44		)	1			21
	Deferred state income tax	(10		)	(6		)	—
	Deferred foreign income tax	—			—			(1		)
	Total deferred tax	(54		)	(5		)	20
	Total income tax expense	$	343		$	286		$	209
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	Actual income tax expense for the fiscal years indicated differed from the amount computed by applying statutory corporate income tax rates to income before income taxes as follows (in millions):
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal income tax based on statutory rates	$	313		$	263		$	193
	Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Share-based payment expense	—			—			(1		)
	Excess charitable contributions	(7		)	(5		)	(1		)
	Federal income tax credits	(2		)	(2		)	(4		)
	Other, net	—			1			—
	Total federal income taxes	303			256			186
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	41			31			24
	Tax impact of foreign operations	(1		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Total income tax expense	$	343		$	286		$	209
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Compensation-related costs	$	122		$	98
	Insurance-related costs	48			41
	Inventories	1			1
	Lease and other termination accruals	15			17
	Rent differential	139			123
	Deferred taxes associated with unrecognized tax benefit	—			1
	Tax basis of fixed assets in excess of book basis	7			6
	Net domestic and international operating loss carryforwards	18			18
	Other	5			5
	Gross deferred tax assets	355			310
	Valuation allowance	(26		)	(25		)
	Deferred tax assets	329			285
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Financial basis of fixed assets in excess of tax basis	(102		)	(106		)
	Capitalized costs expensed for tax purposes	(4		)	(4		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(106		)	(110		)
	Net deferred tax asset	$	223		$	175
Summary of Net Deferred Tax Assets Classification [Table Text Block]	'
	Deferred taxes have been classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions):
		September 29,			September 30,
		2013			2012
	Current assets	$	151		$	132
	Noncurrent assets	72			43
	Net deferred tax asset	$	223		$	175
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which exclude interest and penalties, for the two fiscal years ended September 29, 2013, is as follows (in millions):
	Balance at September 25, 2011	$	6
	Decrease related to prior year tax positions	(2		)
	Balance at September 30, 2012	4
	Decrease related to lapse of statute of limitations	(1		)
	Balance at September 29, 2013	$	3

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides a summary of dividends declared per common share during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 (in millions, except per share amounts):
	Date of declaration	Dividend per			Date of record		Date of payment		Total amount
		common share
	Fiscal year 2013:
	November 29, 2012	$	1		December 10, 2012		December 21, 2012		$	371
	November 7, 2012	0.1			January 18, 2013		January 29, 2013		37
	March 15, 2013	0.1			April 12, 2013		April 23, 2013		37
	June 12, 2013	0.1			July 5, 2013		July 16, 2013		37
	September 10, 2013 (1)	0.1			September 27, 2013		October 8, 2013		37
	Fiscal year 2012:
	November 2, 2011	$	0.07		January 13, 2012		January 24, 2012		$	25
	March 9, 2012	0.07			April 5, 2012		April 17, 2012		26
	May 30, 2012	0.07			June 29, 2012		July 10, 2012		26
	September 6, 2012	0.07			September 28, 2012		October 9, 2012		26
	(1) Dividend accrued at September 29, 2013
Schedule of Share Repurchase Programs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table outlines the share repurchase programs authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors, and the related repurchase activity as of September 29, 2013 (in millions):
	Authorization date		Expiration date	Amount authorized				Cost of repurchases			Authorization available
	November 2, 2011		November 1, 2013	$	200			$	153		$	47
	November 15, 2012		December 31, 2014	300				—			300
				$	500			$	153		$	347
Schedule of Shares Repurchased [Table Text Block]	'
	Share repurchase activity for the fiscal years indicated was as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
		2013			2012
	Number of common shares acquired	2.6			0.7
	Average price per common share acquired	$	48.7		$	41.34
	Total cost of common shares acquired	$	125		$	28

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the fiscal years indicated follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$	551	$	466	$	343
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	371.2		364.8		350.5
	(denominator for basic earnings per share)
	Potential common shares outstanding:
	Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock options	3.3		4.1		4.1
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional	374.5		368.9		354.6
	common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.48	$	1.28	$	0.98
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.47	$	1.26	$	0.97

ShareBased_Payments_Tables

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Share-based payment expense was included in the following line items on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years indicated (in millions):
		2013				2012				2011
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	$	2			$	2			$	1
	Direct store expenses	32				22				14
	General and administrative expenses	23				18				12
	Share-based payment expense before income taxes	57				42				27
	Income tax benefit	(22		)		(16		)		(10		)
	Net share-based payment expense	$	35			$	26			$	17
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes option activity (in millions, except per share amounts and contractual lives in years):
			Number			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
			of options			average				average		intrinsic
			outstanding			exercise price				remaining		value
										contractual life
	Outstanding options at September 26, 2010		37.9			$	23
	Options granted		6.4			31.25
	Options exercised		(13.6	)		21.97
	Options expired		(2.8	)		33.31
	Options forfeited		(0.6	)		18.97
	Outstanding options at September 25, 2011		27.3			$	24.5
	Options granted		7.2			44.23
	Options exercised		(13.7	)		26.44
	Options expired		(0.1	)		25.1
	Options forfeited		(0.7	)		28.32
	Outstanding options at September 30, 2012		20			$	30.17
	Options granted		4.3			51.33
	Options exercised		(4.1	)		20.52
	Options expired		(0.1	)		18.86
	Options forfeited		(0.9	)		37.2
	Outstanding options at September 29, 2013		19.2			$	36.9			5.2		$	413
	Vested/expected to vest at September 29, 2013		18			$	36.37			5.15		$	395
	Exercisable options at September 29, 2013		5.6			$	26.6			4.22		$	179
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of options outstanding and exercisable at September 29, 2013 follows (share amounts in millions):
	Range of Exercise Prices								Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	From				To				Number			Weighted		Weighted average	Number	Weighted
									of options			average		remaining	of options	average
									outstanding			exercise price		life (in years)	exercisable	exercise price
	$	5.56			$	18.49			1.3			$	9.6	2.64	1.2	$	9.5
	20.42				28.5				3			20.43		4.21	1.5	20.42
	31.25				31.25				4.3			31.25		4.6	1.6	31.25
	40.81				46.28				6.6			44.29		5.63	1.3	44.22
	51.25				51.86				4			51.86		6.67	—	—
	Total								19.2			$	36.9	5.2	5.6	$	26.6
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of stock option grants has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		2013			2012			2011
	Expected dividend yield	0.88	%		0.8	%		0.698	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.77	%		0.58	%		1.76	%
	Expected volatility	31.25	%		40.89	%		43.84	%
	Expected life, in years	3.96			4.14			4.18

Quarterly_Results_unaudited_Ta

Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables set forth selected unaudited quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations information for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2013 and September 30, 2012 (in millions, except per share amounts):
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year 2013
	Sales	$	3,856	$	3,027	$	3,058	$	2,976
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	2,508		1,926		1,939		1,915
	Gross profit	1,348		1,101		1,119		1,061
	Direct store expenses	979		769		781		756
	General and administrative expenses	116		91		95		95
	Pre-opening expenses	14		10		13		15
	Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	4		3		2		3
	Operating income	235		228		228		192
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—
	Investment and other income	3		3		2		3
	Income before income taxes	238		231		230		195
	Provision for income taxes	92		89		88		74
	Net income	$	146	$	142	$	142	$	121
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.39	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.33
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.39	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.32
	Dividends declared per common share	$	1.1	$	0.1	$	0.1	$	0.1
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Fiscal Year 2012
	Sales	$	3,391	$	2,670	$	2,727	$	2,911
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	2,213		1,700		1,746		1,884
	Gross profit	1,178		970		981		1,027
	Direct store expenses	871		682		689		741
	General and administrative expenses	104		86		88		94
	Pre-opening expenses	10		11		12		14
	Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	3		1		4		2
	Operating income	190		190		188		176
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—
	Investment and other income	2		2		2		2
	Income before income taxes	192		192		190		178
	Provision for income taxes	74		74		73		65
	Net income	$	118	$	118	$	117	$	113
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.33	$	0.32	$	0.32	$	0.3
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.33	$	0.32	$	0.31	$	0.3
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.07	$	0.07	$	0.07	$	0.07

Description_of_Business_Detail

Description of Business (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
	Segment
	State
	Store
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Number of Years Existence	'35 years
Number of Stores	362
Number of States in Which Entity Operates	40
Number of Operating Segments	1
Number of Reportable Segments	1
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	2
United States [Member]	'
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Number of Stores	347
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Number of Stores	7
Canada [Member]	'
Entity Information [Line Items]	'
Number of Stores	8

Desciption_of_Business_Details

Desciption of Business (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Percentage sales by geographic area	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Percentage of Total Net Long-Lived Assets	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage sales by geographic area	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	96.70%	96.80%	96.90%
Percentage of Total Net Long-Lived Assets	95.70%	95.20%	95.90%
Canada and United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Percentage sales by geographic area	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	3.30%	3.20%	3.10%
Percentage of Total Net Long-Lived Assets	4.30%	4.80%	4.10%

Desciption_of_Business_Details1

Desciption of Business (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Prepared Foods and Bakery [Member]	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	19.00%	18.90%	18.80%
Other Perishables [Member]	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	47.20%	47.00%	46.80%
Total Perishables [Member]	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	66.20%	65.90%	65.60%
Non-perishables [Member]	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of Total Sales	33.80%	34.10%	34.40%

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Definition of fiscal year	'	'	'
Duration of fiscal year	'364 days	'371 days	'364 days
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Definition of fiscal year	'	'	'
Duration of fiscal year	'364 days	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Definition of fiscal year	'	'	'
Duration of fiscal year	'371 days	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Quarter
Investments	'	'
Number of fiscal quarters for a decline in the fair value of any investment below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary	2	'
Accounts Receivable	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$3	$4
Inventories	'	'
Percentage of inventories covered under LIFO	92.80%	92.10%
LIFO reserve	$32	$30
Equipment | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Equipment | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'15 years	'
Buildings | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'20 years	'
Buildings | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'50 years	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Insurance	'	'	'
Insurance liabilities	$135	$115	'
Cost of Goods Solds and Occupancy Costs	'	'	'
Percentage of purchases from largest supplier	32.00%	31.00%	31.00%
Direct Store Expenses	'	'	'
Advertising and marketing expense	$56	$51	$43
Definite-lived contract-based [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average life (in years)	'17 years	'	'
Definite-lived marketing-related and other [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Weighted average life (in years)	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Reserves for Closed Properties	'	'	'
Remaining lease terms, closed properties	'4 months	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Reserves for Closed Properties	'	'	'
Remaining lease terms, closed properties	'16 years	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Pre-opening Expenses	'
Average period for pre-opening rent expense (in years)	'9 months
Average period for pre-opening costs other than rent (in days)	'60 days
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Period from grant date to beginning of options vesting	'1 year
Stock Purchase Plan	'
Minimum service hours for stock purchase plan eligibility	'400 hours
Percentage discount from purchase date market value under stock purchase plan	5.00%
Option 1 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	'5 years
Option 2 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'9 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	'7 years
Option 3 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	'10 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 1 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'3 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 2 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 3 [Member]	'
Stock Incentive Plan	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'6 years

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total	$73	$16
Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total	1,156	1,360
Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total	1,229	1,376
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	73	16
Money Market Funds [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	73	16
Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	104	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	'	10
Commercial Paper [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	104	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	'	10
Municipal Notes Bonds [Member] | Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	17	8
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	1,010	983
Municipal Notes Bonds [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Cash equivalents	17	8
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	1,010	983
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	5	11
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	5	11
Variable Rate Demand Obligation [Member] | Level 2 Inputs [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	20	348
Variable Rate Demand Obligation [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Marketable securities - available-for-sale	$20	$348

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	$252	$382
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$22	$0
Short-term Investment Average Effective Maturity Period (in months)	'5 months	'5 months
Long-term Investment Average Effective Maturity Period (in months)	'16 months	'15 months

Investments_Details_2

Investments (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	$733	$1,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	302	221
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	733	1,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	302	221
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	'	10
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Note Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	'	5
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal Notes [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	713	768
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Variable Rate Demand Obligation [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	20	348
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Corporate Bond Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	5	6
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	$297	$215

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$4,512	$4,049
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,084	-1,856
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,428	2,193
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	77	77
Building and Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	2,427	2,220
Capitalized Real Estate Leases [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	33	25
Fixtures and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	1,706	1,513
Construction in Progress and Equipment not yet in Service [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$269	$214

Property_and_Equipment_Details1

Property and Equipment (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment	$324	$297	$274
Accumulated accelerated depreciation and other asset impairments included in property and equipment	4	3	'
Development costs of new locations	339	262	203
Construction accruals included in other current liabilities	$103	$80	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
	Store
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$16	$0	'
Number of Stores Acquired	6	'	'
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	0	'
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	6	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	5	6	7
Finite and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	106	99	'
Accumulated amortization	-41	-37	'
Definite-lived contract-based [Member]	'	'	'
Finite and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	102	95	'
Accumulated amortization	-40	-35	'
Definite-lived marketing-related and other [Member]	'	'	'
Finite and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1	2	'
Accumulated amortization	-1	-2	'
Indefinite-lived contract-based [Member]	'	'	'
Finite and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$3	$2	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	$5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	4
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	4
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	4
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	40
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$62

Reserves_for_Closed_Properties2

Reserves for Closed Properties (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Store	Store
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$41	$45
Additions	5	4
Usage	-11	-10
Adjustments	1	2
Ending Balance	36	41
Restructuring Reserve, Period Expense, New Store Closures	$1	'
New Closures, Number	8	4

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Repayments of Secured Debt	$490	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$350	'	'

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	33
Minimum capital lease commitments	48
Less amounts representing interest	19
Net present value of capital lease obligations	29
Operating leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due, Next Twelve Months	359
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years	404
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	432
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	437
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	444
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	5,366
Minimum operating lease commitments	7,442
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Current	7
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Two Years	6
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Three Years	6
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Four Years	5
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, in Five Years	4
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Thereafter	9
Minimum sublease rental income	$37

Leases_Details_2

Leases (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations	$27	$24	'
Rental expense charged to operations under operating leases	374	353	322
Payment of contingent rentals	13	12	10
Sublease rental income	$8	$8	$7

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Components of income tax expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current federal income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$321	$234	$145
Current state income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	73	53	39
Current foreign income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	4	5
Total current tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	397	291	189
Deferred federal income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-44	1	21
Deferred state income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10	-6	'
Deferred foreign income tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1
Total deferred tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-54	-5	20
Total income tax expense	74	88	89	65	73	74	92	74	343	286	209
Reconciliation of income tax expense to federal statutory rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Federal income tax based on statutory rates	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	313	263	193
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax-exempt interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-1	-1
Share-based payment expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1
Excess charitable contributions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-7	-5	-1
Federal income tax credits	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2	-2	-4
Other, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	'
Total federal income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	303	256	186
State income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	41	31	24
Foreign income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1	-1	-1
Total income tax expense	74	88	89	65	73	74	92	74	343	286	209
Income Taxes Receivable, Current	7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7	'	'
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	'	'	'	$14	'	'	'	'	'	$14	'

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Compensation-related costs	$122	$98
Insurance-related costs	48	41
Inventories	1	1
Lease and other termination accruals	15	17
Rent differential	139	123
Deferred taxes associated with unrecognized tax benefit	'	1
Tax basis of fixed assets in excess of book basis	7	6
Net domestic and international operating loss carryforwards	18	18
Other	5	5
Gross deferred tax assets	355	310
Valuation allowance	-26	-25
Total deferred tax assets	329	285
Financial basis of fixed assets in excess of tax basis	-102	-106
Capitalized costs expensed for tax purposes	-4	-4
Total deferred tax liabilities	-106	-110
Net deferred tax asset	223	175
Deferred taxes for continuing operations	'	'
Current assets	151	132
Noncurrent assets	72	43
Net deferred tax asset	$223	$175

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance associated with international operating loss and federal tax credit carryforwards and unrecognized tax benefits	$26	$25
Amount of unrecognized tax benefit that would affect the company's effective tax rate if recognized	3	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	2	2
Aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excludes interest and penalties	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	4	6
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	'	-2
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	-1	'
Balance at end of period	3	4
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards:	'	'
International operating loss carryforwards having an indefinite life	$89	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Common Stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Dividends Per Common Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.07	$0.07	$0.07	$1.10	$0.07	$1.40	$0.28	$0.20
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$519	$103	$71
Special Dividend [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Per Common Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	'	'	'	'	'	'	29-Nov-12	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	'	'	'	'	'	'	10-Dec-12	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	'	'	'	'	'	'	21-Dec-12	'	'	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	'	'	'	'	'	'	371	'	'	'	'
Dividend Declared [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Per Common Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	10-Sep-13	12-Jun-13	15-Mar-13	6-Sep-12	30-May-12	9-Mar-12	7-Nov-12	2-Nov-11	'	'	'
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.07	$0.07	$0.07	$0.10	$0.07	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	27-Sep-13	5-Jul-13	12-Apr-13	28-Sep-12	29-Jun-12	5-Apr-12	18-Jan-13	13-Jan-12	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	8-Oct-13	16-Jul-13	23-Apr-13	9-Oct-12	10-Jul-12	17-Apr-12	29-Jan-13	24-Jan-12	'	'	'
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$37	$37	$37	$26	$26	$26	$37	$25	'	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details_2

Shareholders' Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	2.6	0.7
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$48.70	$41.34
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	$125	$28
Nov. 2, 2011 Share Repurchase Program [Member]	'	'
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	200	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Amount Utilized for Repurchases	153	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	47	'
Nov. 15, 2012 Share Repurchase Program [Member]	'	'
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	300	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Amount Utilized for Repurchases	0	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	300	'
Total Share Repurchase Program [Member]	'	'
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	500	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Amount Utilized for Repurchases	153	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	347	'
Subsequent Event [Member] | Subsequent Share Repurchase Program [Member]	'	'
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	500	'
Subsequent Event [Member] | Total Share Repurchase Program [Member]	'	'
Treasury Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$800	'

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$121	$142	$142	$113	$117	$118	$146	$118	$551	$466	$343
Weighted average common shares outstanding (denominator for basic earnings per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	371.2	364.8	350.5
Weighted average common shares outstanding and potential additional common shares outstanding (denominator for diluted earnings per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	374.5	368.9	354.6
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.32	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.48	$1.28	$0.98
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.31	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.47	$1.26	$0.97
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Potential common shares outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares attributable to share-based payment arrangements	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.3	4.1	4.1

Earnings_per_Share_Details_2

Earnings per Share (Details 2) (Stock Options [Member])	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	7.1	0.8	11.6

ShareBased_Payments_Details

Share-Based Payments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	$57	$42	$27
Income tax benefit	-22	-16	-10
Net share-based payment expense	35	26	17
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	2	2	1
Direct store expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	32	22	14
General and administrative expenses [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based payment expense before income taxes	$23	$18	$12

ShareBased_Payments_Details_2

Share-Based Payments (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Common Stock Available for Future Stock Option Grants (in shares)	42.3	16.8	23.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$12.36	$13.68	$10.92
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	$125	$201	$106
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	123	198	105
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	246	186	129
Unrecognized Share-based Payment Expense, Net of Estimated Forfeitures	130	135	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares	12.4	14.2	'
Weighted Average Period for Recognition of Unrecognized Share-based Payment Expense (in years)	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Vesting Options	56	42	27
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	20	27.3	37.9
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	4.3	7.2	6.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	-4.1	-13.7	-13.6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period	-0.1	-0.1	-2.8
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	-0.9	-0.7	-0.6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	19.2	20	27.3
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	18	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number	5.6	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$30.17	$24.50	$23
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.33	$44.23	$31.25
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.52	$26.44	$21.97
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.86	$25.10	$33.31
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$37.20	$28.32	$18.97
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.90	$30.17	$24.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.37	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$26.60	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 2 months 12 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 1 month 24 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 2 months 19 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	413	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	395	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$179	'	'

ShareBased_Payments_Details_3

Share-Based Payments (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	19.2	20	27.3	37.9
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$36.90	$30.17	$24.50	$23
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 2 months 12 days	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number	5.6	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$26.60	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices from $5.56 to $18.49 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$5.56	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$18.49	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1.3	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.60	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'2 years 7 months 21 days	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	1.2	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.50	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices from $20.42 to $28.50 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.42	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$28.50	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	3	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.43	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 2 months 16 days	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	1.5	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$20.42	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices from $31.25 to $31.25 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$31.25	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$31.25	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	4.3	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$31.25	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 7 months 6 days	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	1.6	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$31.25	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices from $40.81 to $46.28 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$40.81	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$46.28	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	6.6	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$44.29	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'5 years 7 months 17 days	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	1.3	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$44.22	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Prices from $51.25 to $51.86 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$51.25	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$51.86	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	4	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.86	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years 8 months 1 day	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	0	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0	'	'	'

ShareBased_Payments_Details_4

Share-Based Payments (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
	Tranche
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.88%	0.80%	0.70%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	0.77%	0.58%	1.76%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	31.25%	40.89%	43.84%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'3 years 11 months 16 days	'4 years 1 month 21 days	'4 years 2 months 5 days
Expected life calculation assumption, number of tranches	2	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	80,000	120,000	120,000
Common Stock Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Employee Stock Purchase Plan	540,000	620,000	740,000
Option 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility calculation assumption, historical volatility	'4 years	'	'
Expected life calculation assumption, years of data	'5 years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'4 years	'	'
Option 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected volatility calculation assumption, historical volatility	'6 years	'	'
Expected life calculation assumption, years of data	'7 years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'9 years	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	83,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	4	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	3	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'3 years	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'4 years	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Option 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'6 years	'	'

Team_Member_401k_Plan_Details

Team Member 401(k) Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Minimum annual services hours for 401 (k) plan eligibility	'1000 hours	'	'
Period of time service hours acquired	'1 year	'	'
Employer contributions to 401(k) plan	$6	$5	$5

Quarterly_Results_unaudited_De

Quarterly Results (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 07, 2013	Apr. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Apr. 08, 2012	Jan. 20, 2013	Jan. 15, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Quarterly Financial [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Duration of fiscal year	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'364 days	'371 days	'364 days
Duration of first quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'112 days	'	'
Duration of second quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'84 days	'	'
Duration of third quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'84 days	'	'
Duration of fourth quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'84 days	'91 days	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales	$2,976	$3,058	$3,027	$2,911	$2,727	$2,670	$3,856	$3,391	$12,917	$11,699	$10,108
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs	1,915	1,939	1,926	1,884	1,746	1,700	2,508	2,213	8,288	7,543	6,571
Gross profit	1,061	1,119	1,101	1,027	981	970	1,348	1,178	4,629	4,156	3,537
Direct store expenses	756	781	769	741	689	682	979	871	3,285	2,983	2,629
General and administrative expenses	95	95	91	94	88	86	116	104	397	372	311
Pre-opening expenses	15	13	10	14	12	11	14	10	52	47	41
Relocation, store closure and lease termination costs	3	2	3	2	4	1	4	3	12	10	8
Operating income	192	228	228	176	188	190	235	190	883	744	548
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-4
Investment and other income	3	2	3	2	2	2	3	2	11	8	8
Income before income taxes	195	230	231	178	190	192	238	192	894	752	552
Provision for income taxes	74	88	89	65	73	74	92	74	343	286	209
Net income	$121	$142	$142	$113	$117	$118	$146	$118	$551	$466	$343
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.32	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.48	$1.28	$0.98
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.38	$0.38	$0.30	$0.31	$0.32	$0.39	$0.33	$1.47	$1.26	$0.97
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10	$0.07	$0.07	$0.07	$1.10	$0.07	$1.40	$0.28	$0.20
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Duration of fourth quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'84 days	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Duration of fourth quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'91 days	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
	Foundation
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Number of nonprofit organizations	2