AutoZone (AZO) 10-Q 18 Jun 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14	Jun. 13, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	10-May-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AUTOZONE INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000866787	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-30	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	32,600,155

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$145,349	$142,191
Accounts receivable	190,848	171,638
Merchandise inventories	3,133,350	2,861,014
Other current assets	112,047	101,443
Deferred income taxes	6,250	1,727
Total current assets	3,587,844	3,278,013
Property and equipment:	'	'
Property and equipment	5,322,299	5,058,525
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,129,010	-1,987,164
Property and equipment, net	3,193,289	3,071,361
Goodwill	367,829	367,829
Deferred income taxes	17,282	4,069
Other long-term assets	205,558	170,817
Other long-term assets, total	590,669	542,715
Assets	7,371,802	6,892,089
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	3,574,921	3,307,535
Accrued expenses and other	470,719	467,831
Income taxes payable	141,801	17,129
Deferred income taxes	201,355	202,922
Short-term borrowings	215,156	173,733
Total current liabilities	4,603,952	4,169,150
Long-term debt	4,163,244	4,013,267
Other long-term liabilities	412,836	396,991
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' deficit:	'	'
Preferred stock, authorized 1,000 shares; no shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 200,000 shares; 33,811 shares issued and 32,613 shares outstanding as of May 10, 2014; 36,768 shares issued and 34,293 shares outstanding as of August 31, 2013	338	368
Additional paid-in capital	819,902	814,457
Retained deficit	-1,902,793	-1,378,936
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-105,677	-120,788
Treasury stock, at cost	-620,000	-1,002,420
Total stockholders' deficit	-1,808,230	-1,687,319
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit	$7,371,802	$6,892,089

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued	33,811	36,768
Common stock, shares outstanding	32,613	34,293

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,341,545	$2,205,878	$6,425,617	$6,052,116
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	1,124,587	1,063,165	3,085,927	2,915,556
Gross profit	1,216,958	1,142,713	3,339,690	3,136,560
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	738,006	686,683	2,139,668	1,999,682
Operating profit	478,952	456,030	1,200,022	1,136,878
Interest expense, net	36,162	42,091	118,083	124,519
Income before income taxes	442,790	413,939	1,081,939	1,012,359
Income taxes	157,633	148,356	385,865	367,078
Net income	$285,157	$265,583	$696,074	$645,281
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	33,073	35,922	33,610	36,342
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	643	607	607	666
Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	33,716	36,529	34,217	37,008
Basic earnings per share	$8.62	$7.39	$20.71	$17.76
Diluted earnings per share	$8.46	$7.27	$20.34	$17.44

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14		4-May-13		10-May-14		4-May-13
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income	$285,157		$265,583		$696,074		$645,281
Other comprehensive income:	'		'		'		'
Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes	957	[1]	2,038	[1]	2,864	[1]	5,510	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,700		17,121		12,011		30,382
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes	-13	[2]	12	[2]	158	[2]	-44	[2]
Net derivative activities, net of taxes	25	[3]	255	[3]	78	[3]	683	[3]
Total other comprehensive income	14,669		19,426		15,111		36,531
Comprehensive income	$299,826		$285,009		$711,185		$681,812
[1]	Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $630 in fiscal 2014 and $1,296 in fiscal 2013 for the twelve weeks ended and $1,898 in fiscal 2014 and $4,489 in fiscal 2013 for the thirty-six weeks ended
[2]	Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $7 in fiscal 2014 and $7 in fiscal 2013 for the twelve weeks ended and $85 in fiscal 2014 and $24 in fiscal 2013 for the thirty-six weeks ended
[3]	Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $17 in fiscal 2014 and $150 in fiscal 2013 for the twelve weeks ended and $48 in fiscal 2014 and $408 in fiscal 2013 for the thirty-six weeks ended

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$630	$1,296	$1,898	$4,489
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, taxes	7	7	85	24
Net derivative activities, taxes	$17	$150	$48	$408

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$696,074	$645,281
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangibles	172,286	155,932
Amortization of debt origination fees	4,895	5,857
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	-18,296	-53,508
Deferred income taxes	-21,234	-16,296
Share-based compensation expense	28,985	25,632
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-17,757	9,151
Merchandise inventories	-267,801	-155,059
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	240,156	156,205
Income taxes payable	142,925	99,626
Other, net	10,885	23,043
Net cash provided by operating activities	971,118	895,864
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-261,724	-258,855
Acquisition of business	'	-116,084
Purchase of intangibles	-11,112	'
Purchase of marketable securities	-28,616	-26,808
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	25,013	20,290
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	1,471	7,350
Net cash used in investing activities	-274,968	-374,107
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Net proceeds (payments) of commercial paper	291,400	-262,300
Net payments of short-term borrowings	'	-4,945
Proceeds from issuance of debt	400,000	800,000
Repayment of debt	-500,000	-300,000
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	34,412	82,817
Purchase of treasury stock	-911,537	-827,348
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	18,296	53,508
Payments of capital lease obligations	-24,248	-19,824
Other, net	-2,294	-14,720
Net cash used in financing activities	-693,971	-492,812
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	979	1,647
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,158	30,592
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	142,191	103,093
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$145,349	$133,685

General

General	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
General	'
	Note A – General
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) rules and regulations. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013.
	Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 30, 2014. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone’s fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2014 has 16 weeks and for fiscal 2013 had 17 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The purpose of ASU 2012-02 is to simplify how an entity tests for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Entities will assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a long-lived intangible asset’s fair value is less than its carrying value. In instances where the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, entities will perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2013, and it had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2013, and it had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company at the beginning of its fiscal 2018 year.

ShareBased_Payments

Share-Based Payments	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Payments	'
	Note B – Share-Based Payments
	AutoZone recognizes compensation expense for share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Share-based payments include stock option grants, restricted stock grants, restricted stock unit grants and the discount on shares sold to employees under share purchase plans. Additionally, directors’ fees are paid in restricted stock units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. The change in fair value of liability-based stock awards is also recognized in share-based compensation expense.
	Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $8.3 million for the twelve week period ended May 10, 2014, and was $9.0 million for the comparable prior year period. Share-based compensation expense was $29.0 million for the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, and was $25.6 million for the comparable prior year period.
	During the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, 194,130 shares of stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $177.95. In the comparable prior year period, 638,553 shares of stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $129.50.
	The Company made stock option grants of 347,615 shares during the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, and granted options to purchase 364,160 shares during the comparable prior year period. The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the thirty-six week periods ended May 10, 2014, and May 4, 2013, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $96.92 and $98.58 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
		Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
		May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013
	Expected price volatility		23	%		29	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1	%		0.5	%
	Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.2			5.2
	Forfeiture rate		9	%		10	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	See AutoZone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013, for a discussion regarding the methodology used in developing AutoZone’s assumptions to determine the fair value of the option awards and a description of AutoZone’s 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan and the 2011 Director Compensation Program.
	For the twelve week period ended May 10, 2014, no stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because they would have been anti-dilutive. For the comparable prior year period, 8,600 anti-dilutive shares were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share computation. No stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation for the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, and 29,600 anti-dilutive shares were excluded for the comparable prior year period.
	During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Director Compensation Program (the “Program”), which states that non-employee directors will receive their compensation in awards of restricted stock units under the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, with an option for a certain portion of a director’s compensation to be paid in cash at the non-employee director’s election. The Program replaces the former 2011 Director Compensation Program. Under the Program, restricted stock units are granted January 1 of each year (the “Grant Date”). The number of restricted stock units is determined by dividing the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the Grant Date. The restricted stock units are fully vested on January 1 of each year and are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock on the earlier to occur of the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date or the date the non-employee director ceases to be a member of the Board (“Separation from Service”). Non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of the restricted stock units until their Separation from Service. The cash portion of the award, if elected, is paid ratably over the remaining calendar quarters.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note C – Fair Value Measurements
	The Company defines fair value as the price received to transfer an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses a hierarchy of valuation inputs to measure fair value.
	The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:
	Level 1 inputs—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.
	Level 2 inputs—inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.
	Level 3 inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	Financial Assets & Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
		May 10, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	17,678	$	39	$	—	$	17,717
	Other long-term assets		50,328		17,962		—		68,290
		$	68,006	$	18,001	$	—	$	86,007
		August 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	16,386	$	24	$	—	$	16,410
	Other long-term assets		49,011		16,740		—		65,751
		$	65,397	$	16,764	$	—	$	82,161
	At May 10, 2014, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $17.7 million, which are included within Other current assets, and long-term marketable securities of $68.3 million, which are included in Other long-term assets. The Company’s marketable securities are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter or through the use of other market inputs relating to the securities, including benchmark yields and reported trades. The fair values of the marketable securities, by asset class, are described in “Note D – Marketable Securities.”
	Non-Financial Assets measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	Non-financial assets are required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in certain circumstances, including the event of impairment. The assets could include assets acquired in an acquisition as well as property, plant and equipment that are determined to be impaired. During the thirty-six week periods ended May 10, 2014 and May 4, 2013, the Company did not have any significant non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.
	Financial Instruments not Recognized at Fair Value
	The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. A discussion of the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt is included in “Note H – Financing.”

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	Note D – Marketable Securities
	The Company’s basis for determining the cost of a security sold is the “Specific Identification Model.” Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:
		May 10, 2014
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	27,164	$	176	$	(5	)	$	27,335
	Government bonds		26,424		36		(3	)		26,457
	Mortgage-backed securities		6,113		28		(83	)		6,058
	Asset-backed securities and other		26,101		56		—			26,157
		$	85,802	$	296	$	(91	)	$	86,007
		August 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	27,803	$	148	$	(67	)	$	27,884
	Government bonds		21,372		18		(67	)		21,323
	Mortgage-backed securities		7,198		24		(138	)		7,084
	Asset-backed securities and other		25,825		50		(5	)		25,870
		$	82,198	$	240	$	(277	)	$	82,161
	The debt securities held at May 10, 2014, had effective maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 3 years. The Company did not realize any material gains or losses on its marketable securities during the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014.
	The Company holds 12 securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $91 thousand at May 10, 2014. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value or maturity, and does not deem the investments to be impaired on an other than temporary basis. In evaluating whether the securities are deemed to be impaired on an other than temporary basis, the Company considers factors such as the duration and severity of the loss position, the credit worthiness of the investee, the term to maturity and the intent and ability to hold the investments until maturity or until recovery of fair value.
	During the twelve week period ended February 15, 2014, the Company’s insurance captive transferred $28.2 million of its marketable securities to a trust account to secure its obligations to an insurance company related to future workers compensation and casualty losses. These securities held by the trust account are included above in total marketable securities.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments
	At May 10, 2014, the Company had $11.7 million recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to realized losses associated with terminated interest rate swap and treasury rate lock derivatives which were designated as hedging instruments. Net losses are amortized into Interest expense over the remaining life of the associated debt. During the twelve week period ended May 10, 2014, the Company reclassified $42 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the comparable prior year period, the Company reclassified $405 thousand from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. During the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, the Company reclassified $126 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the comparable prior year period, the Company reclassified $1.2 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. The Company expects to reclassify $182 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense over the next twelve months.

Merchandise_Inventories

Merchandise Inventories	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Merchandise Inventories	'
	Note F – Merchandise Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for domestic inventories and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method for Mexico inventories. Included in inventories are related purchasing, storage and handling costs. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company’s domestic inventory balances are effectively maintained under the FIFO method. The Company’s policy is not to write up inventory in excess of replacement cost. The cumulative balance of this unrecorded adjustment, which will be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, was $307.0 million at May 10, 2014, and $283.7 million at August 31, 2013.

Pension_and_Savings_Plans

Pension and Savings Plans	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Savings Plans	'
	Note G – Pension and Savings Plans
	The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s pension plans consisted of the following:
		Twelve Weeks Ended						Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	May 10,			May 4,			May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	3,016		$	2,659		$	9,048		$	7,977
	Expected return on plan assets		(3,550	)		(3,083	)		(10,650	)		(9,249	)
	Amortization of net loss		1,587			3,333			4,761			9,999
	Net periodic pension expense	$	1,053		$	2,909		$	3,159		$	8,727
	The Company makes contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. During the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, the Company made contributions to its funded plan in the amount of $2.9 million. The Company expects to contribute approximately $13.8 million to the plan during the remainder of fiscal 2014; however, a change to the expected cash funding may be impacted by a change in interest rates or a change in the actual or expected return on plan assets.

Financing

Financing	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Financing	'
	Note H – Financing
	The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	May 10,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63%	$	—	$	500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%		500,000		500,000
	5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%		300,000		300,000
	6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09%		200,000		200,000
	1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate of 1.43%		400,000		—
	7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%		250,000		250,000
	4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43%		500,000		500,000
	3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85%		500,000		500,000
	2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%		300,000		300,000
	3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, effective interest rate of 3.26%		500,000		500,000
	Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at		928,400		637,000
	May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively
	Total debt		4,378,400		4,187,000
	Less: Short-term borrowings		215,156		173,733
	Long-term debt	$	4,163,244	$	4,013,267
	As of May 10, 2014, $928.4 million of commercial paper borrowings and $284.8 million of the 5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015 are classified as long-term in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance on a long-term basis through available capacity in its revolving credit facility. As of May 10, 2014, the Company had $1.213 billion of availability under its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility, expiring in September 2017, that would allow it to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing.
	On January 14, 2014, the Company issued $400 million in 1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017 under its shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 17, 2012 (the “Shelf Registration”). The Shelf Registration allows the Company to sell an indeterminate amount in debt securities to fund general corporate purposes, including repaying, redeeming or repurchasing outstanding debt and for working capital, capital expenditures, new store openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Proceeds from the debt issuance on January 14, 2014, were used to repay a portion of the $500 million in 6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014. The Company used commercial paper borrowings to repay the remainder of the 6.500% Senior Notes.
	On April 29, 2013, the Company issued $500 million in 3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023 under its Shelf Registration. Proceeds from the debt issuance on April 29, 2013, were used to repay a portion of the outstanding commercial paper borrowings, which were used to repay the $200 million in 4.375% Senior Notes due in June 2013, and for general corporate purposes.
	On November 13, 2012, the Company issued $300 million in 2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023 under its Shelf Registration. Proceeds from the debt issuance on November 13, 2012, were used to repay a portion of the outstanding commercial paper borrowings, which were used to repay the $300 million in 5.875% Senior Notes due in October 2012, and for general corporate purposes.
	In December 2013, the Company amended and restated its revolving credit facility, increasing the capacity under the revolving credit facility to $1.25 billion. This credit facility is available to primarily support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. The capacity of the credit facility may be increased to $1.5 billion prior to the maturity date at the Company’s election and subject to bank credit capacity and approval, may include up to $200 million in letters of credit and may include up to $175 million in capital leases each fiscal year. Under the revolving credit facility, the Company may borrow funds consisting of Eurodollar loans or base rate loans. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the revolving credit facility, depending upon the Company’s senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt rating. Interest accrues on base rate loans as defined in the credit facility. The Company also has the option to borrow funds under the terms of a swingline loan subfacility. The revolving credit facility expires in September 2017.
	The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $4.503 billion as of May 10, 2014, and $4.259 billion as of August 31, 2013, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates available to the Company for debt of the same terms (Level 2). Such fair value is greater than the carrying value of debt by $124.9 million at May 10, 2014, and $72.2 million at August 31, 2013.

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program	'
	Note I – Stock Repurchase Program
	From January 1, 1998 to May 10, 2014, the Company has repurchased a total of 136.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $13.843 billion, including 1,876,659 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $911.5 million during thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014. On December 17, 2013, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $13.4 billion to $14.15 billion. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of May 10, 2014, the Company had $306.9 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.
	On June 17, 2014, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $14.15 billion to $14.9 billion. Subsequent to May 10, 2014, the Company has repurchased 84,400 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $44.4 million. Considering the cumulative repurchases and the increase in authorization subsequent to May 10, 2014, the Company has $1.013 billion remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.
	During the thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, the Company retired 3.2 million shares of treasury stock which had previously been repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program. The retirement increased Retained deficit by $1.220 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $74.0 million. During the comparable prior year period, the Company retired 3.9 million shares of treasury stock, which increased Retained deficit by $1.362 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $75.7 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Note J – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes certain adjustments to pension liabilities, foreign currency translation adjustments, certain activity for interest rate swaps and treasury rate locks that qualify as cash flow hedges and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the twelve week periods ended May 10, 2014 and May 4, 2013, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			—			13,700			23			—			13,723
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			957	(2)		—			(36	)(4)		25	(5)		946
	Balance at May 10, 2014		$	(47,997	)	$	(50,472	)	$	133		$	(7,341	)	$	(105,677	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at February 9, 2013		$	(90,495	)	$	(37,006	)	$	295		$	(7,702	)	$	(134,908	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			—			17,121			29			—			17,150
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,038	(2)		—			(17	)(4)		255	(5)		2,276
	Balance at May 4, 2013		$	(88,457	)	$	(19,885	)	$	307		$	(7,447	)	$	(115,482	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $630 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $1,296 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note G – Pension and Savings Plans” for further discussion.
	-3	Foreign currency is not shown net of additional U.S. tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
	-4	Represents realized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $19 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $9 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note D – Marketable Securities” for further discussion.
	-5	Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $17 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $150 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.
	Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirty-six week periods ended May 10, 2014 and May 4, 2013, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 31, 2013		$	(50,861	)	$	(62,483	)	$	(25	)	$	(7,419	)	$	(120,788	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			—			12,011			220			—			12,231
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,864	(2)		—			(62	)(4)		78	(5)		2,880
	Balance at May 10, 2014		$	(47,997	)	$	(50,472	)	$	133		$	(7,341	)	$	(105,677	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 25, 2012		$	(93,967	)	$	(50,267	)	$	351		$	(8,130	)	$	(152,013	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			—			30,382			27			—			30,409
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			5,510	(2)		—			(71	)(4)		683	(5)		6,122
	Balance at May 4, 2013		$	(88,457	)	$	(19,885	)	$	307		$	(7,447	)	$	(115,482	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $1,898 in fiscal 2014 and $4,489 in fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note G – Pension and Savings Plans” for further discussion.
	-3	Foreign currency is not shown net of additional U.S. tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
	-4	Represents realized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $33 in fiscal 2014 and $38 in fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note D – Marketable Securities” for further discussion.
	-5	Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $48 in fiscal 2014 and $408 is fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangibles	'
	Note K – Goodwill and Intangibles
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Auto Parts		Other		Total
		Stores
	Net balance as of August 31, 2013	$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
	Goodwill adjustments		—		—		—
	Net balance as of May 10, 2014	$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
	The Company recorded an increase to intangible assets of $30.2 million during the thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 2014. During fiscal year 2014, the Company purchased the rights to certain customer relationships and technology assets relating to its ALLDATA operations. The carrying amounts of intangible assets are included in Other long-term assets as follows:
	(in thousands)	Estimated		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Useful Life		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
				Amount					Amount
	Amortizing intangible assets:
	Technology		3-5 years	$	10,570	$	(2,841	)	$	7,729
	Noncompete agreements		5 years		1,300		(363	)		937
	Customer relationships		3-10 years		48,376		(4,121	)		44,255
				$	60,246	$	(7,325	)		52,921
	Non-amortizing intangible asset:
	Trade name									24,600
	Total intangible assets other than goodwill								$	77,521
	Amortization expense of intangible assets for the twelve and thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014, was $2.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets for the twelve and thirty-six week period ended May 4, 2013, was $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
	Total future amortization expense for intangible assets that have finite lives, based on the existing intangible assets and their current estimated useful lives as of May 10, 2014, is estimated as follows:
	(in thousands)	Total
	Remainder of fiscal 2014	$	2,652
	2015		8,618
	2016		8,618
	2017		8,353
	2018		6,725
	Thereafter		17,955
		$	52,921

Litigation

Litigation	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Litigation	'
	Note L – Litigation
	In 2004, the Company acquired a store site in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey that had previously been the site of a gasoline service station and contained evidence of groundwater contamination. Upon acquisition, the Company voluntarily reported the groundwater contamination issue to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement providing for the remediation of the contamination associated with the property. The Company has conducted and paid for (at an immaterial cost to the Company) remediation of contamination on the property. The Company is also investigating, and will be addressing, potential vapor intrusion impacts in downgradient residences and businesses. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has asserted, in a Directive and Notice to Insurers dated February 19, 2013 and again in an Amended Directive and Notice to Insurers dated January 13, 2014 (collectively the “Directives”), that the Company is liable for the downgradient impacts under a joint and severable liability theory. The Company has contested any such assertions due to the existence of other entities/sources of contamination, some of which are named in the Directives, in the area of the property. Pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement, upon completion of all remediation required by the agreement, the Company believes it should be eligible to be reimbursed up to 75 percent of qualified remediation costs by the State of New Jersey. The Company has asked the state for clarification that the agreement applies to off-site work, and the state is considering the request. Although the aggregate amount of additional costs that the Company may incur pursuant to the remediation cannot currently be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that fulfillment of its obligations under the agreement or otherwise will result in costs that are material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
	The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including several lawsuits containing class-action allegations in which the plaintiffs are current and former hourly and salaried employees who allege various wage and hour violations and unlawful termination practices. The Company does not currently believe that, either individually or in the aggregate, these matters will result in liabilities material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Note M – Segment Reporting
	The Company’s three operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts, Mexico, and Brazil) are aggregated as one reportable segment: Auto Parts Stores. The criteria the Company used to identify the reportable segment are primarily the nature of the products the Company sells and the operating results that are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about the resources to be allocated to the business units and to assess performance. The accounting policies of the Company’s reportable segment are the same as those described in Note A in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013.
	The Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 5,279 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products.
	The Other category reflects business activities of three operating segments that are not separately reportable due to the materiality of these operating segments. The operating segments include ALLDATA, which produces, sells and maintains diagnostic and repair information software used in the automotive repair industry; E-commerce, which includes direct sales to customers through www.autozone.com; and AutoAnything, which includes direct sales to customers through www.autoanything.com.
	The Company evaluates its reportable segment primarily on the basis of net sales and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit. Segment results for the periods presented were as follows:
		Twelve Weeks Ended						Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	May 10,			May 4,			May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales
	Auto Parts Stores	$	2,258,413		$	2,128,109		$	6,191,574		$	5,873,113
	Other		83,132			77,769			234,043			179,003
	Total	$	2,341,545		$	2,205,878		$	6,425,617		$	6,052,116
	Segment Profit
	Auto Parts Stores	$	1,171,098		$	1,100,083		$	3,210,084		$	3,024,122
	Other		45,860			42,630			129,606			112,438
	Gross profit		1,216,958			1,142,713			3,339,690			3,136,560
	Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(738,006	)		(686,683	)		(2,139,668	)		(1,999,682	)
	Interest expense, net		(36,162	)		(42,091	)		(118,083	)		(124,519	)
	Income before income taxes	$	442,790		$	413,939		$	1,081,939		$	1,012,359

General_Policies

General (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Fiscal Period	'
	Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 30, 2014. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZone’s fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2014 has 16 weeks and for fiscal 2013 had 17 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The purpose of ASU 2012-02 is to simplify how an entity tests for impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Entities will assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that a long-lived intangible asset’s fair value is less than its carrying value. In instances where the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, entities will perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2013, and it had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The Company adopted this standard effective September 1, 2013, and it had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09, an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company at the beginning of its fiscal 2018 year.

ShareBased_Payments_Tables

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted and Related Share-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the thirty-six week periods ended May 10, 2014, and May 4, 2013, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $96.92 and $98.58 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
		Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
		May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013
	Expected price volatility		23	%		29	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1	%		0.5	%
	Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.2			5.2
	Forfeiture rate		9	%		10	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
		May 10, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	17,678	$	39	$	—	$	17,717
	Other long-term assets		50,328		17,962		—		68,290
		$	68,006	$	18,001	$	—	$	86,007
		August 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	16,386	$	24	$	—	$	16,410
	Other long-term assets		49,011		16,740		—		65,751
		$	65,397	$	16,764	$	—	$	82,161

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities	'
	The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:
		May 10, 2014
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	27,164	$	176	$	(5	)	$	27,335
	Government bonds		26,424		36		(3	)		26,457
	Mortgage-backed securities		6,113		28		(83	)		6,058
	Asset-backed securities and other		26,101		56		—			26,157
		$	85,802	$	296	$	(91	)	$	86,007
		August 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	27,803	$	148	$	(67	)	$	27,884
	Government bonds		21,372		18		(67	)		21,323
	Mortgage-backed securities		7,198		24		(138	)		7,084
	Asset-backed securities and other		25,825		50		(5	)		25,870
		$	82,198	$	240	$	(277	)	$	82,161

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Tabl

Pension and Savings Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Pension Expense	'
	The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s pension plans consisted of the following:
		Twelve Weeks Ended						Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	May 10,			May 4,			May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	3,016		$	2,659		$	9,048		$	7,977
	Expected return on plan assets		(3,550	)		(3,083	)		(10,650	)		(9,249	)
	Amortization of net loss		1,587			3,333			4,761			9,999
	Net periodic pension expense	$	1,053		$	2,909		$	3,159		$	8,727

Financing_Tables

Financing (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt	'
	The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	May 10,		August 31,
		2014		2013
	6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, effective interest rate of 6.63%	$	—	$	500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%		500,000		500,000
	5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%		300,000		300,000
	6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09%		200,000		200,000
	1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate of 1.43%		400,000		—
	7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28%		250,000		250,000
	4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43%		500,000		500,000
	3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85%		500,000		500,000
	2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21%		300,000		300,000
	3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, effective interest rate of 3.26%		500,000		500,000
	Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at		928,400		637,000
	May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively
	Total debt		4,378,400		4,187,000
	Less: Short-term borrowings		215,156		173,733
	Long-term debt	$	4,163,244	$	4,013,267

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the twelve week periods ended May 10, 2014 and May 4, 2013, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			—			13,700			23			—			13,723
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			957	(2)		—			(36	)(4)		25	(5)		946
	Balance at May 10, 2014		$	(47,997	)	$	(50,472	)	$	133		$	(7,341	)	$	(105,677	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at February 9, 2013		$	(90,495	)	$	(37,006	)	$	295		$	(7,702	)	$	(134,908	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			—			17,121			29			—			17,150
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,038	(2)		—			(17	)(4)		255	(5)		2,276
	Balance at May 4, 2013		$	(88,457	)	$	(19,885	)	$	307		$	(7,447	)	$	(115,482	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $630 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $1,296 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note G – Pension and Savings Plans” for further discussion.
	-3	Foreign currency is not shown net of additional U.S. tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
	-4	Represents realized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $19 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $9 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note D – Marketable Securities” for further discussion.
	-5	Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $17 for the twelve weeks ended May 10, 2014 and $150 for the twelve weeks ended May 4, 2013, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.
	Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the thirty-six week periods ended May 10, 2014 and May 4, 2013, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 31, 2013		$	(50,861	)	$	(62,483	)	$	(25	)	$	(7,419	)	$	(120,788	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			—			12,011			220			—			12,231
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,864	(2)		—			(62	)(4)		78	(5)		2,880
	Balance at May 10, 2014		$	(47,997	)	$	(50,472	)	$	133		$	(7,341	)	$	(105,677	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 25, 2012		$	(93,967	)	$	(50,267	)	$	351		$	(8,130	)	$	(152,013	)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications			—			30,382			27			—			30,409
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			5,510	(2)		—			(71	)(4)		683	(5)		6,122
	Balance at May 4, 2013		$	(88,457	)	$	(19,885	)	$	307		$	(7,447	)	$	(115,482	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $1,898 in fiscal 2014 and $4,489 in fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note G – Pension and Savings Plans” for further discussion.
	-3	Foreign currency is not shown net of additional U.S. tax as earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be permanently reinvested.
	-4	Represents realized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $33 in fiscal 2014 and $38 in fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note D – Marketable Securities” for further discussion.
	-5	Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $48 in fiscal 2014 and $408 is fiscal 2013, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Auto Parts		Other		Total
		Stores
	Net balance as of August 31, 2013	$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
	Goodwill adjustments		—		—		—
	Net balance as of May 10, 2014	$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets	'
	The carrying amounts of intangible assets are included in Other long-term assets as follows:
	(in thousands)	Estimated		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Useful Life		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
				Amount					Amount
	Amortizing intangible assets:
	Technology		3-5 years	$	10,570	$	(2,841	)	$	7,729
	Noncompete agreements		5 years		1,300		(363	)		937
	Customer relationships		3-10 years		48,376		(4,121	)		44,255
				$	60,246	$	(7,325	)		52,921
	Non-amortizing intangible asset:
	Trade name									24,600
	Total intangible assets other than goodwill								$	77,521
Schedule of Future Amortization Expense for Finite Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Total future amortization expense for intangible assets that have finite lives, based on the existing intangible assets and their current estimated useful lives as of May 10, 2014, is estimated as follows:
	(in thousands)	Total
	Remainder of fiscal 2014	$	2,652
	2015		8,618
	2016		8,618
	2017		8,353
	2018		6,725
	Thereafter		17,955
		$	52,921

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Results	'
	The Company evaluates its reportable segment primarily on the basis of net sales and segment profit, which is defined as gross profit. Segment results for the periods presented were as follows:
		Twelve Weeks Ended						Thirty-Six Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	May 10,			May 4,			May 10,			May 4,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net Sales
	Auto Parts Stores	$	2,258,413		$	2,128,109		$	6,191,574		$	5,873,113
	Other		83,132			77,769			234,043			179,003
	Total	$	2,341,545		$	2,205,878		$	6,425,617		$	6,052,116
	Segment Profit
	Auto Parts Stores	$	1,171,098		$	1,100,083		$	3,210,084		$	3,024,122
	Other		45,860			42,630			129,606			112,438
	Gross profit		1,216,958			1,142,713			3,339,690			3,136,560
	Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(738,006	)		(686,683	)		(2,139,668	)		(1,999,682	)
	Interest expense, net		(36,162	)		(42,091	)		(118,083	)		(124,519	)
	Income before income taxes	$	442,790		$	413,939		$	1,081,939		$	1,012,359

General_Additional_Information

General - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Period of first quarter of fiscal year	'84 days
Period of second quarter of fiscal year	'84 days
Period of third quarter of fiscal year	'84 days
Description of reporting periods	'Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 10, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 30, 2014. Each of the first three quarters of AutoZonebs fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. The fourth quarter for fiscal 2014 has 16 weeks and for fiscal 2013 had 17 weeks. Additionally, the Companybs business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring during the months of February through September and the lowest sales generally occurring in the months of December and January.
Minimum [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Period of fourth quarter of fiscal year	'112 days
Maximum [Member]	'
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]	'
Period of fourth quarter of fiscal year	'119 days

ShareBased_Payments_Additional

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense related to stock options and share purchase plans	$8.30	$9	$29	$25.60
Stock options exercised - Shares	'	'	194,130	638,553
Stock options exercised - Weighted average exercise price	'	'	$177.95	$129.50
Stock options granted	'	'	347,615	364,160
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted	'	'	$96.92	$98.58
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of earnings per share	0	8,600	0	29,600

ShareBased_Payments_Weighted_A

Share-Based Payments - Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted and Related Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14	4-May-13
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Expected price volatility	23.00%	29.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.00%	0.50%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)	'5 years 2 months 12 days	'5 years 2 months 12 days
Forfeiture rate	9.00%	10.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Compan

Fair Value Measurements - Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$86,007	$82,161
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other current assets	17,717	16,410
Other long-term assets	68,290	65,751
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	86,007	82,161
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other current assets	17,678	16,386
Other long-term assets	50,328	49,011
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	68,006	65,397
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other current assets	39	24
Other long-term assets	17,962	16,740
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	18,001	16,764
Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other current assets	'	'
Other long-term assets	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term marketable securities	$17,717	$16,410
Long-term marketable securities	$68,290	$65,751

Marketable_Securities_Availabl

Marketable Securities - Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$85,802	$82,198
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	296	240
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-91	-277
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	86,007	82,161
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	27,164	27,803
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	176	148
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-5	-67
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	27,335	27,884
Government Bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	26,424	21,372
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	36	18
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	-67
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	26,457	21,323
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,113	7,198
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	28	24
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-83	-138
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	6,058	7,084
Asset-Backed Securities and Other [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	26,101	25,825
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	56	50
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	-5
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$26,157	$25,870

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2014	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
		Securities
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Available for sale securities debt maturity period range	'	'Less than one year to approximately 3 years	'
Number of securities available for sale loss position	'	12	'
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	$91,000	$277,000
Marketable securities transferred	$28,200,000	'	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Offsetting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Derivative losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	($11,700,000)	'
Net derivative income (losses) amortized into Interest Income (expense)	-42,000	-405,000	-126,000	-1,236,000
Net derivative loss expected to be reclassified over next 12 months	($182,000)	'	($182,000)	'

Merchandise_Inventories_Additi

Merchandise Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecorded adjustment for LIFO value in excess of replacement value	$307	$283.70

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Net_

Pension and Savings Plans - Net Periodic Pension Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	$3,016	$2,659	$9,048	$7,977
Expected return on plan assets	-3,550	-3,083	-10,650	-9,249
Amortization of net loss	1,587	3,333	4,761	9,999
Net periodic pension expense	$1,053	$2,909	$3,159	$8,727

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Addi

Pension and Savings Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Annual contributions by the Company to pension plans	$2.90
Expected contributions to the plan in fiscal 2014	$13.80

Financing_Schedule_of_Longterm

Financing - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	10-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$4,378,400	$4,187,000
Less: Short-term borrowings	215,156	173,733
Long-term debt	4,163,244	4,013,267
6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	'	500,000
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 5.89% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	500,000	500,000
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 4.86% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	300,000	300,000
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, Effective Interest Rate of 7.09% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	200,000	200,000
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	400,000	'
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, Effective Interest Rate of 7.28% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	250,000	250,000
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, Effective Interest Rate of 4.43% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	500,000	500,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, Effective Interest Rate of 3.85% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	500,000	500,000
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	300,000	300,000
3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	500,000	500,000
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Total debt	$928,400	$637,000

Financing_Schedule_of_Longterm1

Financing - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Jan. 14, 2014

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Jan. 14, 2014

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Nov. 13, 2012

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively [Member]

Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 5.89% [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 5.89% [Member]

5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 4.86% [Member]

5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 4.86% [Member]

6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, Effective Interest Rate of 7.09% [Member]

6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, Effective Interest Rate of 7.09% [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, Effective Interest Rate of 7.28% [Member]

7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, Effective Interest Rate of 7.28% [Member]

4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, Effective Interest Rate of 4.43% [Member]

4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, Effective Interest Rate of 4.43% [Member]

3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, Effective Interest Rate of 3.85% [Member]

3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, Effective Interest Rate of 3.85% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate percentage

'

'

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

5.75%

5.75%

5.50%

5.50%

6.95%

6.95%

1.30%

1.30%

1.30%

7.13%

7.13%

4.00%

4.00%

3.70%

3.70%

2.88%

2.88%

2.88%

3.13%

3.13%

3.13%

Effective interest rate

'

'

'

6.63%

6.63%

5.89%

5.89%

4.86%

4.86%

7.09%

7.09%

'

1.43%

1.43%

7.28%

7.28%

4.43%

4.43%

3.85%

3.85%

'

3.21%

3.21%

'

3.26%

3.26%

Debt instrument, due date

'

'

'January 2014

'January 2014

'January 2014

'January 2015

'January 2015

'November 2015

'November 2015

'June 2016

'June 2016

'January 2017

'January 2017

'January 2017

'August 2018

'August 2018

'November 2020

'November 2020

'April 2022

'April 2022

'January 2023

'January 2023

'January 2023

'July 2023

'July 2023

'July 2023

Weighted average interest rate of commercial paper

0.26%

0.29%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financing_Additional_Informati

Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

10-May-14

4-May-13

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Dec. 31, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 14, 2014

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Jan. 14, 2014

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Apr. 29, 2013

Nov. 13, 2012

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Nov. 13, 2012

10-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

Capital Leases [Member]

Capital Leases [Member]

Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively [Member]

Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.26% and 0.29% at May 10, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively [Member]

Letters of Credit [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, Effective Interest Rate of 1.43% [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014, Effective Interest Rate of 6.63% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.26% [Member]

4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, Effective Interest Rate of 5.65% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, Effective Interest Rate of 3.21% [Member]

5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012 [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 5.89% [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, Effective Interest Rate of 5.89% [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

$4,378,400,000

'

'

$4,187,000,000

'

'

$928,400,000

$637,000,000

'

'

$400,000,000

'

'

'

$500,000,000

'

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

'

'

$300,000,000

$300,000,000

'

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

Senior notes non current

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

284,800,000

'

Stated interest rate percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.30%

1.30%

1.30%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

3.13%

3.13%

3.13%

4.38%

2.88%

2.88%

2.88%

5.88%

5.75%

5.75%

Debt instrument, due date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'January 2017

'January 2017

'January 2017

'January 2014

'January 2014

'January 2014

'July 2023

'July 2023

'July 2023

'June 2013

'January 2023

'January 2023

'January 2023

'October 2012

'January 2015

'January 2015

Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility

1,213,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount available under credit facility

1,250,000,000

'

1,250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiration of credit facility

'September 2017

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of debt

400,000,000

800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt repayment using commercial papers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

Letter of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

175,000,000

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest accrual on foreign currency loans the basis points

'

'

'

'

'Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable percentage, as defined in the revolving credit facility, depending upon the Company's senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt rating.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of the Company's debt

4,503,000,000

'

'

4,259,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excess (shortfall) of fair value of debt over (from) carrying value

$124,900,000

'

'

$72,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Addit

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

196 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

10-May-14

4-May-13

10-May-14

10-May-14

Dec. 17, 2013

Jun. 17, 2014

Dec. 17, 2013

Jun. 17, 2014

10-May-14

4-May-13

10-May-14

4-May-13

Subsequent Event [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Retained Deficit [Member]

Retained Deficit [Member]

Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchased cumulative, shares

'

'

136,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of treasury stock

'

'

$13,843,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchased during period, shares

1,876,659

'

'

84,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchased during period, amount

911,500,000

'

'

44,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase authorized during the period, value

'

'

'

'

'

'

750,000,000

750,000,000

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase authorized amended value

'

'

'

'

13,400,000,000

14,150,000,000

14,150,000,000

14,900,000,000

'

'

'

'

Remaining value authorized for share repurchases

306,900,000

'

306,900,000

1,013,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury stock acquired repurchase authorization

'From January 1, 1998 to May 10, 2014, the Company has repurchased a total of 136.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $13,843 billion, including 1,876,659 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $911.5 million during thirty-six week period ended May 10, 2014. On December 17, 2013, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $13.4 billion to $14.15 billion. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of May 10, 2014, the Company had $306.9 million remaining under the Boardbs authorization to repurchase its common stock.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share of treasury stock retired

3,200,000

3,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Treasury stock retired, cost method

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,220,000,000

$1,362,000,000

$74,000,000

$75,700,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	($120,346)	($134,908)	($120,788)	($152,013)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	13,723	17,150	12,231	30,409
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	946	2,276	2,880	6,122
Ending Balance	-105,677	-115,482	-105,677	-115,482
Pension Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-48,954	-90,495	-50,861	-93,967
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	0	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	957	2,038	2,864	5,510
Ending Balance	-47,997	-88,457	-47,997	-88,457
Foreign Currency [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-64,172	-37,006	-62,483	-50,267
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	13,700	17,121	12,011	30,382
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'	0	'
Ending Balance	-50,472	-19,885	-50,472	-19,885
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	146	295	-25	351
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	23	29	220	27
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-36	-17	-62	-71
Ending Balance	133	307	133	307
Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance	-7,366	-7,702	-7,419	-8,130
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	'	'	0	'
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	25	255	78	683
Ending Balance	($7,341)	($7,447)	($7,341)	($7,447)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Pension Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, taxes	$630	$1,296	$1,898	$4,489
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, taxes	19	9	33	38
Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, taxes	$17	$150	$48	$408

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Net balance as of August 31, 2013	$367,829
Goodwill adjustments	'
Net balance as of May 10, 2014	367,829
Auto Parts Stores [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Net balance as of August 31, 2013	302,645
Goodwill adjustments	'
Net balance as of May 10, 2014	302,645
Other [Member]	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'
Net balance as of August 31, 2013	65,184
Goodwill adjustments	'
Net balance as of May 10, 2014	$65,184

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Addit

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Increase in intangible asset	'	'	$30.20	'
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$2	$0.90	$4.40	$1.50

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched1

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	60,246
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-7,325
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	52,921
Total intangible assets other than goodwill, Net Carrying Amount	77,521
Technology [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	10,570
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-2,841
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	7,729
Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated Useful Life	'3 years
Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated Useful Life	'5 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	1,300
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-363
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	937
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated Useful Life	'5 years
Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	48,376
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-4,121
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	44,255
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated Useful Life	'3 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated Useful Life	'10 years
Trade Name [Member]	'
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Non-amortizing intangible asset - Trade name, Net Carrying Amount	24,600

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched2

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Future Amortization Expense for Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	10-May-14
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Remainder of fiscal 2014	$2,652
2015	8,618
2016	8,618
2017	8,353
2018	6,725
Thereafter	17,955
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	$52,921

Litigation_Additional_Informat

Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Site contingency, recovery from third party of environmental remediation cost	'In 2004, the Company acquired a store site in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey that had previously been the site of a gasoline service station and contained evidence of groundwater contamination. Upon acquisition, the Company voluntarily reported the groundwater contamination issue to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and entered into a Voluntary Remediation Agreement providing for the remediation of the contamination associated with the property. The Company has conducted and paid for (at an immaterial cost to the Company) remediation of contamination on the property. The Company is also investigating, and will be addressing, potential vapor intrusion impacts in downgradient residences and businesses. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has asserted, in a Directive and Notice to Insurers dated February 19, 2013 and again in an Amended Directive and Notice to Insurers dated January 13, 2014 (collectively the bDirectivesb), that the Company is liable for the downgradient impacts under a joint and severable liability theory. The Company has contested any such assertions due to the existence of other entities/sources of contamination, some of which are named in the Directives, in the area of the property Pursuant to the Voluntary Remediation Agreement. Upon completion of all remediation required by the agreement, the Company believes it should be eligible to be reimbursed up to 75 percent of qualified remediation costs by the State of New Jersey. The Company has asked the state for clarification that the agreement applies to off-site work, and the state is considering the request. Although the aggregate amount of additional costs that the Company may incur pursuant to the remediation cannot currently be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that fulfillment of its obligations under the agreement or otherwise will result in costs that are material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
Reimbursable remediation costs	75.00%

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	10-May-14
	Segment
	Store
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segments	3
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of automotive parts and accessories stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil	5,279

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Resu

Segment Reporting - Segment Results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	10-May-14	4-May-13	10-May-14	4-May-13
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,341,545	$2,205,878	$6,425,617	$6,052,116
Gross profit	1,216,958	1,142,713	3,339,690	3,136,560
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	-738,006	-686,683	-2,139,668	-1,999,682
Interest expense, net	-36,162	-42,091	-118,083	-124,519
Income before income taxes	442,790	413,939	1,081,939	1,012,359
Auto Parts Stores [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	2,258,413	2,128,109	6,191,574	5,873,113
Gross profit	1,171,098	1,100,083	3,210,084	3,024,122
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	83,132	77,769	234,043	179,003
Gross profit	$45,860	$42,630	$129,606	$112,438