AutoZone (AZO) 10-Q 24 Mar 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Mar. 20, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	14-Feb-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	AZO
Entity Registrant Name	AUTOZONE INC
Entity Central Index Key	866787
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,723,352

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$151,539	$124,485
Accounts receivable	196,650	200,899
Merchandise inventories	3,456,812	3,140,100
Other current assets	102,064	110,420
Deferred income taxes	6,798	4,708
Total current assets	3,913,863	3,580,612
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment	5,648,630	5,500,674
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-2,272,150	-2,190,199
Property and equipment, net	3,376,480	3,310,475
Goodwill	384,013	367,829
Deferred income taxes	50,016	45,137
Other long-term assets	225,593	213,805
Other long-term assets, total	659,622	626,771
Assets	7,949,965	7,517,858
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,716,519	3,609,199
Accrued expenses and other	500,904	481,894
Income taxes payable	92,330	41,200
Deferred income taxes	226,414	227,891
Short-term borrowings	87,156	180,910
Total current liabilities	4,623,323	4,541,094
Long-term debt	4,361,144	4,162,890
Other long-term liabilities	434,177	435,731
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; 31,945 shares issued and 31,902 shares outstanding as of February 14, 2015; 33,858 shares issued and 32,304 shares outstanding as of August 30, 2014	319	339
Additional paid-in capital	871,595	843,504
Retained deficit	-2,128,946	-1,529,123
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-185,586	-128,903
Treasury stock, at cost	-26,061	-807,674
Total stockholders' deficit	-1,468,679	-1,621,857
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit	$7,949,965	$7,517,858

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	31,945,000	33,858,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	31,902,000	32,304,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$2,143,651	$1,990,494	$4,403,916	$4,084,072
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	1,023,618	953,459	2,107,222	1,961,339
Gross profit	1,120,033	1,037,035	2,296,694	2,122,733
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	758,764	699,691	1,526,863	1,401,663
Operating profit	361,269	337,344	769,831	721,070
Interest expense, net	34,536	39,490	71,596	81,921
Income before income taxes	326,733	297,854	698,235	639,149
Income taxes	115,010	105,024	248,202	228,232
Net income	$211,723	$192,830	$450,033	$410,917
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	31,903	33,647	32,018	33,879
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	637	614	633	589
Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	32,540	34,261	32,651	34,468
Basic earnings per share	$6.64	$5.73	$14.06	$12.13
Diluted earnings per share	$6.51	$5.63	$13.78	$11.92

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015		Feb. 15, 2014		Feb. 14, 2015		Feb. 15, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$211,723		$192,830		$450,033		$410,917
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes	1,268	[1]	955	[1]	2,485	[1]	1,907	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-40,492		-9,196		-58,853		-1,689
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes	-50	[2]	-45	[2]	-88	[2]	171	[2]
Net derivative activities, net of taxes	-161	[3]	27	[3]	-227	[3]	53	[3]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-39,435		-8,259		-56,683		442
Comprehensive income	$172,288		$184,571		$393,350		$411,359
[1]	Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $795 in fiscal 2015 and $632 in fiscal 2014 for the twelve weeks ended and $1,642 in fiscal 2015 and $1,268 in fiscal 2014 for the twenty-four weeks ended
[2]	Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $26 in fiscal 2015 and $24 in fiscal 2014 for the twelve weeks ended and $47 in fiscal 2015 and $92 in fiscal 2014 for the twenty-four weeks ended
[3]	Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $179 in fiscal 2015 and $15 in fiscal 2014 for the twelve weeks ended and $215 in fiscal 2015 and $31 in fiscal 2014 for the twenty-four weeks ended

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$795	$632	$1,642	$1,268
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities, taxes	26	24	47	92
Net derivative activities, taxes	$179	$15	$215	$31

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$450,033	$410,917
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangibles	120,912	114,154
Amortization of debt origination fees	2,918	3,258
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	-28,619	-11,146
Deferred income taxes	-9,031	-20,839
Share-based compensation expense	20,200	20,716
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	21,377	-18,433
Merchandise inventories	-277,854	-228,664
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	103,922	135,094
Income taxes payable	79,774	98,683
Other, net	-7,094	4,232
Net cash provided by operating activities	476,538	507,972
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-186,174	-159,961
Acquisition of business, net of cash	-75,744
Purchase of intangibles	-10,000	-11,112
Purchase of marketable securities	-21,679	-21,091
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	19,595	19,240
Disposal of capital assets and other, net	2,550	-871
Net cash used in investing activities	-271,452	-173,795
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from commercial paper	604,500	234,684
Proceeds from issuance of debt		400,000
Repayment of debt	-500,000	-500,000
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	38,110	27,601
Purchase of treasury stock	-325,667	-491,538
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	28,619	11,146
Payments of capital lease obligations	-18,169	-16,327
Other, net	-2,087	-2,294
Net cash used in financing activities	-174,694	-336,728
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-3,338	115
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,054	-2,436
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	124,485	142,191
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$151,539	$139,755

General

General	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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 30, 2014.
	Operating results for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2015. 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 quarters for fiscal 2015 and 2014 each have 16 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 Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 will require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim reporting period and to provide related footnote disclosure in circumstances in which substantial doubt exists. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements as the application of this guidance affects disclosure only. This update will be effective for the Company beginning with its annual period ending August 26, 2017.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items but does not change the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual or infrequent in nature. Eliminating the concept of extraordinary items will allow the entity to no longer have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company beginning with its annual period ending August 26, 2017.

ShareBased_Payments

Share-Based Payments	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based 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 $11.4 million for the twelve week period ended February 14, 2015, and was $11.5 million for the comparable prior year period. Share-based compensation expense was $20.2 million for the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, and was $20.7 million for the comparable prior year period.
	During the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, 210,976 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $183.26. In the comparable prior year period, 142,816 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $192.70.
	The Company made stock option grants of 328,060 shares during the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, and granted options to purchase 347,615 shares during the comparable prior year period. The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the twenty-four week periods ended February 14, 2015, and February 15, 2014, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $106.17 and $96.92 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
		Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
		February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014
	Expected price volatility		20	%		23	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.4	%		1	%
	Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.1			5.2
	Forfeiture rate		9	%		9	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	See AutoZone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 30, 2014, 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, the 2011 Director Compensation Program and the 2014 Director Compensation Plan.
	For the twelve week period ended February 14, 2015, 600 stock options were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because they would have been anti-dilutive. For the comparable prior year period, no anti-dilutive shares were excluded from the dilutive earnings per share computation. There were 600 anti-dilutive shares excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation for the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, and 5,830 anti-dilutive shares excluded for the comparable prior year period.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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:
		February 14, 2015
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	4,572	$	301	$	—	$	4,873
	Other long-term assets		60,112		22,219		—		82,331
		$	64,684	$	22,520	$	—	$	87,204
		August 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	9,801	$	599	$	—	$	10,400
	Other long-term assets		53,133		21,722		—		74,855
		$	62,934	$	22,321	$	—	$	85,255
	At February 14, 2015, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $4.9 million, which are included within Other current assets, and long-term marketable securities of $82.3 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 twenty-four week periods ended February 14, 2015, and February 15, 2014, 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	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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:
		February 14, 2015
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	35,977	$	116	$	(31	)	$	36,062
	Government bonds		28,804		28		(16	)		28,816
	Mortgage-backed securities		10,629		14		(130	)		10,513
	Asset-backed securities and other		11,812		8		(7	)		11,813
		$	87,222	$	166	$	(184	)	$	87,204
		August 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	37,265	$	137	$	(15	)	$	37,387
	Government bonds		16,822		16		(1	)		16,837
	Mortgage-backed securities		8,791		22		(77	)		8,736
	Asset-backed securities and other		22,260		35		—			22,295
		$	85,138	$	210	$	(93	)	$	85,255
	The debt securities held at February 14, 2015 had effective maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately three years. The Company did not realize any material gains or losses on its marketable securities during the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015.
	The Company holds 53 securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $184 thousand at February 14, 2015. 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.
	Included above in total marketable securities are $45.3 million of marketable securities transferred by the Company’s insurance captive to a trust account to secure its obligations to an insurance company related to future workers’ compensation and casualty losses.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments
	At February 14, 2015, the Company had $11.5 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 February 14, 2015, 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 $42 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. During the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, the Company reclassified $84 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the comparable prior year period, the Company reclassified $84 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. The Company expects to reclassify $795 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense over the next twelve months.

Merchandise_Inventories

Merchandise Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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 and Brazil 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 $318.0 million at February 14, 2015 and $307.2 million at August 30, 2014.

Pension_and_Savings_Plans

Pension and Savings Plans	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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						Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	February 14,			February 15,			February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Interest cost	$	2,847		$	3,016		$	5,694		$	6,032
	Expected return on plan assets		(3,757	)		(3,550	)		(7,514	)		(7,100	)
	Amortization of net loss		2,063			1,587			4,127			3,174
	Net periodic pension expense	$	1,153		$	1,053		$	2,307		$	2,106
	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 twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, the Company made contributions to its funded plan in the amount of $2.4 million. The Company expects to contribute approximately $14.5 million to the plan during the remainder of fiscal 2015; 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	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing	Note H – Financing
	The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	February 14,		August 30,
		2015		2014
	5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%	$	—	$	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		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 0.40% and 0.27% at February 14, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively		1,498,300		893,800
	Total debt		4,448,300		4,343,800
	Less: Short-term borrowings		87,156		180,910
	Long-term debt	$	4,361,144	$	4,162,890
	As of February 14, 2015, $1.498 billion of commercial paper borrowings and $212.8 million of the 5.500% Senior Notes due November 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 facilities. As of February 14, 2015, the Company had $1.711 billion of availability under its $1.750 billion revolving credit facilities, which 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 December 19, 2014, the Company amended and restated its existing revolving credit facility by increasing the amount of capital leases allowable to $225 million, extending the expiration date by two years, and renegotiations of other terms and conditions. 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 is $1.25 billion and 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 $225 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 December 2019.
	On December 19, 2014, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility (the “364-Day Credit Agreement”). The credit facility is available to primarily support commercial paper borrowings and other short-term unsecured bank loans. The 364-Day Credit Agreement provides for loans in the principal amount of up to $500 million. Under the credit facility, the Company may borrow funds consisting of Eurodollar loans, base rate loans, or a combination of both. Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable margin, 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. This credit facility expires on December 19, 2015, but the Company may request an extension of the termination date for 364 days no later than 45 days prior to December 19, 2015, subject to bank approval. In addition, the Company has the right to request a term-loan, at least 15 days prior to December 19, 2015, up to one year from the termination date, subject to a 1% penalty.
	The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $4.556 billion as of February 14, 2015 and $4.480 billion as of August 30, 2014, 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 $107.7 million at February 14, 2015 and $136.6 million at August 30, 2014.

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program	Note I – Stock Repurchase Program
	From January 1, 1998 to February 14, 2015 the Company has repurchased a total of 137.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $14.356 billion, including 614,099 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $325.7 million during the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015. 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. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of February 14, 2015, the Company had $543.6 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.
	On March 24, 2015, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million to raise the cumulative share repurchase authorization from $14.9 billion to $15.65 billion. Subsequent to February 14, 2015, the Company has repurchased 268,371 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $174.1 million. Considering the cumulative repurchases and the increase in authorization subsequent to February 14, 2015, the Company has $1.119 billion remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.
	During the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, the Company retired 2.1 million shares of treasury stock which had previously been repurchased under the Company’s share repurchase program. The retirement increased Retained deficit by $1.050 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $57.4 million. During the comparable prior year period, the Company retired 3.2 million shares of treasury stock, which increased Retained deficit by $1.220 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $74.0 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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 February 14, 2015 and February 15, 2014 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at November 22, 2014		$	(62,603	)	$	(76,197	)	$	38		$	(7,389	)	$	(146,151	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(40,492	)		(30	)		(186	)		(40,708	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			1,268	(2)		—			(20	) (4)		25	(5)		1,273
	Balance at February 14, 2015		$	(61,335	)	$	(116,689	)	$	(12	)	$	(7,550	)	$	(185,586	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at November 23, 2013		$	(49,909	)	$	(54,976	)	$	191		$	(7,393	)	$	(112,087	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(9,196	)		(25	)		—			(9,221	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			955	(2)		—			(20	) (4)		27	(5)		962
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $795 for the twelve weeks ended February 14, 2015 and $632 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014, 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 $11 for the twelve weeks ended February 14, 2015 and $11 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014 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 February 14, 2015 and $15 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014, 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 twenty-four week periods ended February 14, 2015 and February 15, 2014, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 30, 2014		$	(63,820	)	$	(57,836	)	$	76		$	(7,323	)	$	(128,903	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(58,853	)		(72	)		(277	)		(59,202	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,485	(2)		—			(16	) (4)		50	(5)		2,519
	Balance at February 14, 2015		$	(61,335	)	$	(116,689	)	$	(12	)	$	(7,550	)	$	(185,586	)
	(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 (loss) income before reclassifications			—			(1,689	)		194			—			(1,495	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			1,907	(2)		—			(23	) (4)		53	(5)		1,937
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $1,642 in fiscal 2015 and $1,268 in fiscal 2014, 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 $9 in fiscal 2015 and $13 in fiscal 2014, 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 $34 in fiscal 2015 and $31 is fiscal 2014, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note E – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.

Acquisition

Acquisition	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Note K – Acquisition
	Effective September 27, 2014, the Company acquired the outstanding stock of Interamerican Motor Corporation (“IMC”), the second largest distributor of quality import replacement parts in the United States, for $75.7 million, net of cash. IMC specializes in parts coverage for European and Asian cars. With this acquisition, the Company expects to grow its share in the aftermarket import car parts market. The results of operations from IMC have been included in the Company’s Auto Parts Stores business activities since the date of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations related to the acquisition of IMC are not presented as IMC’s results are not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $16.2 million and intangible assets totaling $8.3 million. Goodwill generated from the acquisition is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce. The allocation of the purchase price to goodwill and intangible assets is preliminary as of February 14, 2015 and subject to change upon completion of the final valuation of these assets.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangibles	Note L – 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 30, 2014		$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
	Goodwill adjustments added through acquisition (1)			16,184		—		16,184
	Net balance as of February14, 2015		$	318,829	$	65,184	$	384,013
	-1	See Note K for discussion of the acquisition completed during the twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015
	The Company recorded an increase to intangible assets of $8.3 million during the twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015 related to the acquisition of IMC. 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	$	(4,557	)	$	6,013
	Noncompete agreements			5 years		1,300		(563	)		737
	Customer relationships			3-10 years		54,676		(8,997	)		45,679
					$	66,546	$	(14,117	)		52,429
	Non-amortizing intangible asset:
	Trade name										26,600
	Total intangible assets other than goodwill									$	79,029
	Amortization expense of intangible assets for the twelve and twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015 was $2.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets for the twelve and twenty-four week periods ended February 15, 2014 was $1.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively.
	During the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015, the Company made an installment payment for $10 million related to certain customer relationships purchased during fiscal 2014 relating to its ALLDATA operations.

Litigation

Litigation	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation	Note M – 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.
	In July 2014, the Company received a subpoena from the District Attorney of the County of Alameda, along with other environmental prosecutorial offices in the state of California, seeking documents and information related to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The Company is cooperating fully with the request and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts.
	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	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Note N – Segment Reporting
	The Company’s four operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts, Mexico, Brazil, and IMC) 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 30, 2014.
	The Auto Parts Stores segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 5,476 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil. Each location 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						Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	February 14,			February 15,			February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net Sales
	Auto Parts Stores	$	2,059,711		$	1,913,591		$	4,241,243		$	3,933,161
	Other		83,940			76,903			162,673			150,911
	Total	$	2,143,651		$	1,990,494		$	4,403,916		$	4,084,072
	Segment Profit
	Auto Parts Stores	$	1,075,078		$	994,971		$	2,207,413		$	2,038,986
	Other		44,955			42,064			89,281			83,747
	Gross profit		1,120,033			1,037,035			2,296,694			2,122,733
	Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(758,764	)		(699,691	)		(1,526,863	)		(1,401,663	)
	Interest expense, net		(34,536	)		(39,490	)		(71,596	)		(81,921	)
	Income before income taxes	$	326,733		$	297,854		$	698,235		$	639,149

General_Policies

General (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fiscal Period	Operating results for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2015. 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 quarters for fiscal 2015 and 2014 each have 16 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 Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 will require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim reporting period and to provide related footnote disclosure in circumstances in which substantial doubt exists. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements as the application of this guidance affects disclosure only. This update will be effective for the Company beginning with its annual period ending August 26, 2017.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items but does not change the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual or infrequent in nature. Eliminating the concept of extraordinary items will allow the entity to no longer have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. This update will be effective for the Company beginning with its annual period ending August 26, 2017.

ShareBased_Payments_Tables

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based 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 twenty-four week periods ended February 14, 2015, and February 15, 2014, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $106.17 and $96.92 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
		Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
		February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014
	Expected price volatility		20	%		23	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.4	%		1	%
	Weighted average expected lives (in years)		5.1			5.2
	Forfeiture rate		9	%		9	%
	Dividend yield		0	%		0	%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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:
		February 14, 2015
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	4,572	$	301	$	—	$	4,873
	Other long-term assets		60,112		22,219		—		82,331
		$	64,684	$	22,520	$	—	$	87,204
		August 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
	Other current assets	$	9,801	$	599	$	—	$	10,400
	Other long-term assets		53,133		21,722		—		74,855
		$	62,934	$	22,321	$	—	$	85,255

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities	The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following:
		February 14, 2015
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	35,977	$	116	$	(31	)	$	36,062
	Government bonds		28,804		28		(16	)		28,816
	Mortgage-backed securities		10,629		14		(130	)		10,513
	Asset-backed securities and other		11,812		8		(7	)		11,813
		$	87,222	$	166	$	(184	)	$	87,204
		August 30, 2014
	(in thousands)	Amortized		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Basis		Gains		Losses
	Corporate securities	$	37,265	$	137	$	(15	)	$	37,387
	Government bonds		16,822		16		(1	)		16,837
	Mortgage-backed securities		8,791		22		(77	)		8,736
	Asset-backed securities and other		22,260		35		—			22,295
		$	85,138	$	210	$	(93	)	$	85,255

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Tabl

Pension and Savings Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Expense	The components of net periodic pension expense related to the Company’s pension plans consisted of the following:
		Twelve Weeks Ended						Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	February 14,			February 15,			February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Interest cost	$	2,847		$	3,016		$	5,694		$	6,032
	Expected return on plan assets		(3,757	)		(3,550	)		(7,514	)		(7,100	)
	Amortization of net loss		2,063			1,587			4,127			3,174
	Net periodic pension expense	$	1,153		$	1,053		$	2,307		$	2,106

Financing_Tables

Financing (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	February 14,		August 30,
		2015		2014
	5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89%	$	—	$	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		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 0.40% and 0.27% at February 14, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively		1,498,300		893,800
	Total debt		4,448,300		4,343,800
	Less: Short-term borrowings		87,156		180,910
	Long-term debt	$	4,361,144	$	4,162,890

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the twelve week periods ended February 14, 2015 and February 15, 2014 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at November 22, 2014		$	(62,603	)	$	(76,197	)	$	38		$	(7,389	)	$	(146,151	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(40,492	)		(30	)		(186	)		(40,708	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			1,268	(2)		—			(20	) (4)		25	(5)		1,273
	Balance at February 14, 2015		$	(61,335	)	$	(116,689	)	$	(12	)	$	(7,550	)	$	(185,586	)
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at November 23, 2013		$	(49,909	)	$	(54,976	)	$	191		$	(7,393	)	$	(112,087	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(9,196	)		(25	)		—			(9,221	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			955	(2)		—			(20	) (4)		27	(5)		962
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $795 for the twelve weeks ended February 14, 2015 and $632 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014, 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 $11 for the twelve weeks ended February 14, 2015 and $11 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014 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 February 14, 2015 and $15 for the twelve weeks ended February 15, 2014, 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 twenty-four week periods ended February 14, 2015 and February 15, 2014, consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)		Pension			Foreign			Net			Derivatives			Total
			Liability			Currency (3)			Unrealized
									Gain on
									Securities
	Balance at August 30, 2014		$	(63,820	)	$	(57,836	)	$	76		$	(7,323	)	$	(128,903	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			—			(58,853	)		(72	)		(277	)		(59,202	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			2,485	(2)		—			(16	) (4)		50	(5)		2,519
	Balance at February 14, 2015		$	(61,335	)	$	(116,689	)	$	(12	)	$	(7,550	)	$	(185,586	)
	(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 (loss) income before reclassifications			—			(1,689	)		194			—			(1,495	)
	Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1)			1,907	(2)		—			(23	) (4)		53	(5)		1,937
	Balance at February 15, 2014		$	(48,954	)	$	(64,172	)	$	146		$	(7,366	)	$	(120,346	)
	-1	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
	-2	Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $1,642 in fiscal 2015 and $1,268 in fiscal 2014, 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 $9 in fiscal 2015 and $13 in fiscal 2014, 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 $34 in fiscal 2015 and $31 is fiscal 2014, 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)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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 30, 2014		$	302,645	$	65,184	$	367,829
	Goodwill adjustments added through acquisition (1)			16,184		—		16,184
	Net balance as of February14, 2015		$	318,829	$	65,184	$	384,013
	-1	See Note K for discussion of the acquisition completed during the twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015
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	$	(4,557	)	$	6,013
	Noncompete agreements			5 years		1,300		(563	)		737
	Customer relationships			3-10 years		54,676		(8,997	)		45,679
					$	66,546	$	(14,117	)		52,429
	Non-amortizing intangible asset:
	Trade name										26,600
	Total intangible assets other than goodwill									$	79,029

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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						Twenty-Four Weeks Ended
	(in thousands)	February 14,			February 15,			February 14,			February 15,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Net Sales
	Auto Parts Stores	$	2,059,711		$	1,913,591		$	4,241,243		$	3,933,161
	Other		83,940			76,903			162,673			150,911
	Total	$	2,143,651		$	1,990,494		$	4,403,916		$	4,084,072
	Segment Profit
	Auto Parts Stores	$	1,075,078		$	994,971		$	2,207,413		$	2,038,986
	Other		44,955			42,064			89,281			83,747
	Gross profit		1,120,033			1,037,035			2,296,694			2,122,733
	Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses		(758,764	)		(699,691	)		(1,526,863	)		(1,401,663	)
	Interest expense, net		(34,536	)		(39,490	)		(71,596	)		(81,921	)
	Income before income taxes	$	326,733		$	297,854		$	698,235		$	639,149

General_Additional_Information

General - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Description of reporting periods	Operating results for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended February 14, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2015. 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 quarters for fiscal 2015 and 2014 each have 16 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.
First Quarter [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Quarter period of fiscal year	84 days
Second Quarter [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Quarter period of fiscal year	84 days
Third Quarter [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Quarter period of fiscal year	84 days
Fourth Quarter [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Quarter period of fiscal year	112 days
Fourth Quarter [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Line Items]
Quarter period of fiscal year	119 days

ShareBased_Payments_Additional

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense related to stock options and share purchase plans	$11.40	$11.50	$20.20	$20.70
Stock options exercised - Shares			210,976	142,816
Stock options exercised - Weighted average exercise price			$183.26	$192.70
Stock options granted			328,060	347,615
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted			$106.17	$96.92
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of earnings per share	600	0	600	5,830

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)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected price volatility	20.00%	23.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%	1.00%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 2 months 12 days
Forfeiture rate	9.00%	9.00%
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) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	$4,873	$10,400
Other long-term assets	82,331	74,855
Total	87,204	85,255
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	4,572	9,801
Other long-term assets	60,112	53,133
Total	64,684	62,934
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	301	599
Other long-term assets	22,219	21,722
Total	$22,520	$22,321

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
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	$4,873	$10,400
Long-term marketable securities	$82,331	$74,855

Marketable_Securities_Availabl

Marketable Securities - Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$87,222	$85,138
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	166	210
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-184	-93
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	87,204	85,255
Corporate Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	35,977	37,265
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	116	137
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-31	-15
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	36,062	37,387
Government Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,804	16,822
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	28	16
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-16	-1
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	28,816	16,837
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,629	8,791
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	14	22
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-130	-77
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	10,513	8,736
Asset-Backed Securities and Other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	11,812	22,260
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	8	35
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-7	0
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$11,813	$22,295

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
		Securities
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available for sale securities debt maturity period range	Less than one year to approximately three years
Number of securities available for sale loss position		53
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		$184,000	$93,000
Marketable securities transferred	$45,300,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$11,500,000
Net derivative losses amortized into Interest expense	-42,000	-42,000	-84,000	-84,000
Net derivative loss expected to be reclassified over next 12 months	$795,000		$795,000

Merchandise_Inventories_Additi

Merchandise Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecorded adjustment for LIFO value in excess of replacement value	$318	$307.20

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Net_

Pension and Savings Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest cost	$2,847	$3,016	$5,694	$6,032
Expected return on plan assets	-3,757	-3,550	-7,514	-7,100
Amortization of net loss	2,063	1,587	4,127	3,174
Net periodic pension expense	$1,153	$1,053	$2,307	$2,106

Pension_and_Savings_Plans_Addi

Pension and Savings Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Annual contributions by the Company to pension plans	$2.40
Expected contributions to the plans by the Company in fiscal 2015	$14.50

Financing_Schedule_of_Debt_Det

Financing - Schedule of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$4,448,300	$4,343,800
Less: Short-term borrowings	87,156	180,910
Long-term debt	4,361,144	4,162,890
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		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
Long-term debt	212,800
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 1.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	400,000	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 0.40% and 0.27% at February 14, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$1,498,300	$893,800

Financing_Schedule_of_Debt_Par

Financing - Schedule of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Jan. 14, 2014
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	5.75%	5.75%	5.75%
Effective interest rate	5.89%	5.89%	5.89%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2015-01	2015-01
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Effective interest rate	4.86%	4.86%	4.86%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2015-11	2015-11	2015-11
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	6.95%	6.95%	6.95%
Effective interest rate	7.09%	7.09%	7.09%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2016-06	2016-06
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate 1.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%	1.30%
Effective interest rate	1.43%	1.43%	1.43%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2017-01	2017-01		2017-01
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	7.13%	7.13%	7.13%
Effective interest rate	7.28%	7.28%	7.28%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2018-08	2018-08
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Effective interest rate	4.43%	4.43%	4.43%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2020-11	2020-11
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	3.70%	3.70%	3.70%
Effective interest rate	3.85%	3.85%	3.85%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2022-04	2022-04
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	2.88%	2.88%	2.88%
Effective interest rate	3.21%	3.21%	3.21%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2023-01	2023-01
3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, effective interest rate of 3.26% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	3.13%	3.13%	3.13%
Effective interest rate	3.26%	3.26%	3.26%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2023-07	2023-07
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.40% and 0.27% at February 14, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate of commercial paper	0.40%	0.27%	0.40%

Financing_Additional_Informati

Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Jan. 14, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Dec. 19, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$4,361,144,000			$4,361,144,000	$4,162,890,000
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility	1,711,000,000			1,711,000,000
Amount available under credit facility	1,750,000,000			1,750,000,000		1,250,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt		400,000,000
Extended expiration of credit facility	2 years
Amount available under credit facility						1,500,000,000
Fair value of the Company's debt	4,556,000,000			4,556,000,000	4,480,000,000
Excess (shortfall) of fair value of debt over (from) carrying value	107,700,000			107,700,000	136,600,000
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.40% and 0.27% at February 14, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total debt	1,498,300,000			1,498,300,000	893,800,000
Capital Leases [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount available under credit facility						225,000,000
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.
Expiration of credit facility	Dec-19
Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount available under credit facility						200,000,000
364-Day Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount available under credit facility						500,000,000
Credit facility interest rate description	Interest accrues on Eurodollar loans at a defined Eurodollar rate, defined as LIBOR plus the applicable margin, as defined in the revolving credit facility, depending upon the Company's senior, unsecured, (non-credit enhanced) long-term debt rating.
Credit facility expiration date	19-Dec-15
Credit facility expiration extension period subject to bank approval	364 days
364-Day Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility prior period	45 days
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Percentage of penalty for extending expiration period	1.00%
Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility prior period	15 days
Term Loan Maturity Period	1 year
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate 1.43% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total debt	400,000,000			400,000,000	400,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage	1.30%		1.30%	1.30%	1.30%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year			2017-01	2017-01	2017-01
Proceeds from issuance of debt			400,000,000
6.500% Senior Notes due January 2014 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage			6.50%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year			2014-01
Debt repayment using commercial papers			500,000,000
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Total debt	300,000,000			300,000,000	300,000,000
Long-term debt	$212,800,000			$212,800,000
Stated interest rate percentage	5.50%			5.50%	5.50%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2015-11			2015-11	2015-11

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Addit

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	205 Months Ended
	Jun. 17, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Mar. 24, 2015	Feb. 14, 2015	Jun. 16, 2014	Mar. 23, 2015
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchased cumulative, shares		614,099
Purchase of treasury stock		$325,700,000
Increase in authorization of stock repurchase, value	750,000,000
Stock repurchase authorized amended value	14,900,000,000					14,150,000,000
Remaining value authorized for share repurchases		543,600,000			543,600,000
Treasury stock acquired repurchase authorization		From January 1, 1998 to February 14, 2015 the Company has repurchased a total of 137.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $14.356 billion, including 614,099 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $325.7 million during the twenty-four week period ended February 14, 2015. 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. Considering the cumulative repurchases as of February 14, 2015, the Company had $543.6 million remaining under the Boardbs authorization to repurchase its common stock.
Share of treasury stock retired		2,100,000	3,200,000
Retained Deficit [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Treasury stock retired, cost method		-1,050,000,000	-1,220,000,000
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Treasury stock retired, cost method		-57,400,000	-74,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchased cumulative, shares				268,371
Purchase of treasury stock				174,100,000
Increase in authorization of stock repurchase, value				750,000,000
Stock repurchase authorized amended value				15,650,000,000			14,900,000,000
Remaining value authorized for share repurchases				1,119,000,000
January 1,1998 to February 14,2015 [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchased cumulative, shares					137,500,000
Purchase of treasury stock					$14,356,000,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	($146,151)	($112,087)	($128,903)	($120,788)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-40,708	-9,221	-59,202	-1,495
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,273	962	2,519	1,937
Ending Balance	-185,586	-120,346	-185,586	-120,346
Pension Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-62,603	-49,909	-63,820	-50,861
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,268	955	2,485	1,907
Ending Balance	-61,335	-48,954	-61,335	-48,954
Foreign Currency [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-76,197	-54,976	-57,836	-62,483
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-40,492	-9,196	-58,853	-1,689
Ending Balance	-116,689	-64,172	-116,689	-64,172
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	38	191	76	-25
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-30	-25	-72	194
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-20	-20	-16	-23
Ending Balance	-12	146	-12	146
Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-7,389	-7,393	-7,323	-7,419
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-186		-277
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	25	27	50	53
Ending Balance	($7,550)	($7,366)	($7,550)	($7,366)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension, taxes	$795	$632	$1,642	$1,268
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, securities, taxes	26	24	47	92
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, derivatives, taxes	179	15	215	31
Pension Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, pension, taxes	795	632	1,642	1,268
Net Unrealized Gain on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, securities, taxes	11	11	9	13
Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, derivatives, taxes	$17	$15	$34	$31

Acquisition_Additional_Informa

Acquisition - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$384,013,000	$367,829,000
Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of outstanding stock	75,700,000
Goodwill	16,200,000
Purchase price allocation, intangible assets	$8,300,000

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$367,829,000
Goodwill adjustments added through acquisition	16,184,000
Goodwill, Ending balance	384,013,000
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	302,645,000
Goodwill adjustments added through acquisition	16,184,000
Goodwill, Ending balance	318,829,000
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	65,184,000
Goodwill adjustments added through acquisition	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	$65,184,000

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Addit

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$2,100,000	$1,500,000	$4,100,000	$2,500,000
Purchase of intangibles			10,000,000	11,112,000
Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increased intangible assets related to acquisition					8,300,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of intangibles			$10,000,000

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched1

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	$66,546
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-14,117
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	52,429
Total intangible assets other than goodwill, Net Carrying Amount	79,029
Technology [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	10,570
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-4,557
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	6,013
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	1,300
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-563
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	737
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	54,676
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	-8,997
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	45,679
Minimum [Member] | Technology [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Technology [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [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	$26,600

Litigation_Additional_Informat

Litigation - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
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 "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.
Received a subpoena from the District Attorney of the County of Alameda and other legal proceedings	In July 2014, the Company received a subpoena from the District Attorney of the County of Alameda, along with other environmental prosecutorial offices in the state of California, seeking documents and information related to the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The Company is cooperating fully with the request and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts.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 Companybs financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Reimbursable remediation costs	75.00%

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 14, 2015
	Location
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4
Number of reportable segments	1
Number of automotive parts and accessories locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Brazil	5,476

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Resu

Segment Reporting - Segment Results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014	Feb. 14, 2015	Feb. 15, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,143,651	$1,990,494	$4,403,916	$4,084,072
Gross profit	1,120,033	1,037,035	2,296,694	2,122,733
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	-758,764	-699,691	-1,526,863	-1,401,663
Interest expense, net	-34,536	-39,490	-71,596	-81,921
Income before income taxes	326,733	297,854	698,235	639,149
Auto Parts Stores [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,059,711	1,913,591	4,241,243	3,933,161
Gross profit	1,075,078	994,971	2,207,413	2,038,986
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	83,940	76,903	162,673	150,911
Gross profit	$44,955	$42,064	$89,281	$83,747