AutoZone (AZO) 10-K 24 Oct 16 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Oct. 17, 2016	Feb. 13, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Aug. 27, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	AZO
Entity Registrant Name	AUTOZONE INC
Entity Central Index Key	866,787
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-27
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,861,394
Entity Public Float			$ 21,836,021,743

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 10,635,676	$ 10,187,340	$ 9,475,313
Cost of sales, including warehouse and delivery expenses	5,026,940	4,860,309	4,540,406
Gross profit	5,608,736	5,327,031	4,934,907
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses	3,548,341	3,373,980	3,104,684
Operating profit	2,060,395	1,953,051	1,830,223
Interest expense, net	147,681	150,439	167,509
Income before income taxes	1,912,714	1,802,612	1,662,714
Income tax expense	671,707	642,371	592,970
Net income	$ 1,241,007	$ 1,160,241	$ 1,069,744
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share	29,889	31,560	33,267
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents	599	646	615
Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share	30,488	32,206	33,882
Basic earnings per share	$ 41.52	$ 36.76	$ 32.16
Diluted earnings per share	$ 40.70	$ 36.03	$ 31.57

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 1,241,007	$ 1,160,241	$ 1,069,744
Other comprehensive loss:
Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes	[1]	(18,095)	(6,975)	(12,959)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(39,524)	(113,652)	4,647
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of taxes	[2]	146	(102)	101
Net derivative activity, net of taxes	[3]	(538)	114	96
Total other comprehensive loss		(58,011)	(120,615)	(8,115)
Comprehensive income		$ 1,182,996	$ 1,039,626	$ 1,061,629
[1]	Pension liability adjustments are presented net of taxes of $11,394 in 2016, $4,638 in 2015 and $8,287 in 2014.
[2]	Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities are presented net of taxes of $79 in 2016, $55 in 2015 and $54 in 2014.
[3]	Net derivative activities are presented net of taxes of $315 in 2016, $68 in 2015 and $87 in 2014.

Consolidated Statements of Com4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$ 11,394	$ 4,638	$ 8,287
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, taxes	79	55	54
Net derivative activities, taxes	$ 315	$ 68	$ 87

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 189,734	$ 175,309
Accounts receivable	287,680	247,872
Merchandise inventories	3,631,916	3,421,635
Other current assets	130,243	121,847
Deferred income taxes		3,631
Total current assets	4,239,573	3,970,294
Property and equipment:
Land	998,460	966,916
Buildings and improvements	3,169,575	2,989,399
Equipment	1,550,792	1,422,949
Leasehold improvements	434,615	395,714
Construction in progress	176,673	116,729
Property and equipment	6,330,115	5,891,707
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,596,861	2,386,075
Property and equipment, net	3,733,254	3,505,632
Goodwill	391,887	391,887
Deferred income taxes	36,855	42,615
Other long-term assets	198,218	191,921
Other long-term assets, total	626,960	626,423
Assets	8,599,787	8,102,349
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,095,854	3,864,168
Accrued expenses and other	551,625	531,561
Income taxes payable	42,841	58,082
Deferred income taxes		259,062
Total current liabilities	4,690,320	4,712,873
Long-term debt	4,924,119	4,624,876
Deferred income taxes	284,500
Other long-term liabilities	488,386	465,990
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; 30,329 shares issued and 29,118 shares outstanding in 2016 and 32,098 shares issued and 30,659 shares outstanding in 2015	303	321
Additional paid-in capital	1,054,647	938,355
Retained deficit	(1,602,186)	(1,418,738)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(307,529)	(249,518)
Treasury stock, at cost	(932,773)	(971,810)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,787,538)	(1,701,390)
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit	$ 8,599,787	$ 8,102,349

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
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	30,329,000	32,098,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	29,118,000	30,659,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,241,007	$ 1,160,241	$ 1,069,744
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangibles	297,397	269,919	251,267
Amortization of debt origination fees	7,980	6,230	6,856
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(63,731)	(47,895)	(23,771)
Deferred income taxes	45,019	35,971	(14,698)
Share-based compensation expense	39,825	40,995	39,390
Pension plan contributions	(52,721)	(17,077)	(16,910)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(41,447)	(36,466)	(27,963)
Merchandise inventories	(227,518)	(266,776)	(276,834)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	271,198	291,736	285,269
Income taxes payable	50,122	74,487	46,555
Other, net	10,198	13,758	2,329
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,577,329	1,525,123	1,341,234
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(488,791)	(480,579)	(438,116)
Acquisition of business, net of cash		(75,744)
Purchase of intangibles	(10,000)	(10,000)	(11,112)
Purchase of marketable securities	(130,170)	(49,740)	(49,736)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	120,472	46,411	46,796
Proceeds from disposal of capital assets and other, net	2,654	1,741	4,200
Net cash used in investing activities	(505,835)	(567,911)	(447,968)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds of commercial paper	149,900	153,800	256,800
Proceeds from issuance of debt	650,000	650,000	400,000
Repayment of debt	(500,000)	(500,000)	(500,000)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock	80,289	66,717	42,034
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,452,462)	(1,271,416)	(1,099,212)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	63,731	47,895	23,771
Payments of capital lease obligations	(36,320)	(34,986)	(32,656)
Other, net	(7,935)	(8,712)	(2,294)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,052,797)	(896,702)	(911,557)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(4,272)	(9,686)	585
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,425	50,824	(17,706)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	175,309	124,485	142,191
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	189,734	175,309	124,485
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of interest cost capitalized	136,731	137,630	166,477
Income taxes paid	582,384	539,152	556,974
Assets acquired through capital lease	$ 94,052	$ 71,047	$ 64,927

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Aug. 31, 2013	$ (1,687,319)	$ 368	$ 814,457	$ (1,378,936)	$ (120,788)	$ (1,002,420)
Balance, Shares at Aug. 31, 2013		36,768
Net income	1,069,744			1,069,744
Total other comprehensive income	(8,115)				(8,115)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,099,212)					(1,099,212)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (32)	(73,995)	(1,219,931)		1,293,958
Retirement of treasury shares, shares		(3,153)
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	42,034	$ 3	42,031
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans, Shares		243
Share-based compensation expense	37,240		37,240
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	23,771		23,771
Balance at Aug. 30, 2014	(1,621,857)	$ 339	843,504	(1,529,123)	(128,903)	(807,674)
Balance, shares at Aug. 30, 2014		33,858
Net income	1,160,241			1,160,241
Total other comprehensive income	(120,615)				(120,615)
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (1,271,416)					(1,271,416)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (21)	(57,403)	(1,049,856)		1,107,280
Retirement of treasury shares, shares	(2,100)	(2,125)
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	$ 66,717	$ 3	66,714
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans, Shares		365
Share-based compensation expense	37,645		37,645
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	47,895		47,895
Balance at Aug. 29, 2015	$ (1,701,390)	$ 321	938,355	(1,418,738)	(249,518)	(971,810)
Balance, shares at Aug. 29, 2015	32,098	32,098
Net income	$ 1,241,007			1,241,007
Total other comprehensive income	(58,011)				(58,011)
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (1,452,462)					(1,452,462)
Retirement of treasury shares		$ (21)	(67,023)	(1,424,455)		1,491,499
Retirement of treasury shares, shares	(2,100)	(2,132)
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans	$ 80,289	$ 3	80,286
Issuance of common stock under stock options and stock purchase plans, Shares		363
Share-based compensation expense	39,298		39,298
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	63,731		63,731
Balance at Aug. 27, 2016	$ (1,787,538)	$ 303	$ 1,054,647	$ (1,602,186)	$ (307,529)	$ (932,773)
Balance, shares at Aug. 27, 2016	30,329	30,329

Consolidated Statements of Sto9

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit (Parenthetical) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	1,903	2,010	2,232
Treasury Stock [Member]
Purchase of treasury stock, shares	1,903	2,010	2,232

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Note A – Significant Accounting Policies Business: Fiscal Year: Basis of Presentation: Use of Estimates: Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash balances are held in various locations around the world. Cash and cash equivalents of $78.1 million and $64.9 million were held outside of the U.S. as of August 27, 2016, and August 29, 2015, respectively, and were generally utilized to support liquidity needs in foreign operations. The Company intends to continue to permanently reinvest the cash held outside of the U.S. in its foreign operations. Accounts Receivable: Merchandise Inventories: Marketable Securities: Property and Equipment: Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Goodwill: Intangible Assets: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: AutoZone’s financial market risk results primarily from changes in interest rates. At times, AutoZone reduces its exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, treasury lock agreements and forward-starting interest rate swaps. All of the Company’s interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. Refer to “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. Cash flows related to these instruments designated as qualifying hedges are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted issuance of debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows. The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement. Foreign Currency: Self-Insurance Reserves: Deferred Rent: Financial Instruments: Income Taxes: The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company must determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. These reevaluations are based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit, expirations due to statutes and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the tax accrual. The Company classifies interest related to income tax liabilities, and if applicable, penalties, as a component of Income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties that are expected to be payable within one year of the balance sheet date are presented within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portion of the income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are presented within the Other long-term liabilities caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets because payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date. Refer to “Note D – Income Taxes” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s income taxes. Sales and Use Taxes: Dividends: Revenue Recognition: A portion of the Company’s transactions include the sale of auto parts that contain a core component. The core component represents the recyclable portion of the auto part. Customers are not charged for the core component of the new part if a used core is returned at the point of sale of the new part; otherwise the Company charges customers a specified amount for the core component. The Company refunds that same amount upon the customer returning a used core to the store at a later date. The Company does not recognize sales or cost of sales for the core component of these transactions when a used part is returned or expected to be returned from the customer. Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs: Rebates and other miscellaneous incentives are earned based on purchases or product sales and are accrued ratably over the purchase or sale of the related product. These monies are generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise inventories and are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventories are sold. For arrangements that provide for reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by the Company in selling the vendors’ products, the vendor funds are recorded as a reduction to Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which the specific costs were incurred. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds, was $98.3 million in fiscal 2016, $98.0 million in fiscal 2015 and $84.7 million in fiscal 2014. Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense, amounted to $21.4 million in fiscal 2016, $22.0 million in fiscal 2015 and $28.4 million in fiscal 2014. Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Cost of Sales • Total cost of merchandise sold, including: • Freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from the Company’s vendors to the distribution centers; • Vendor allowances that are not reimbursements for specific, incremental, identifiable costs • Costs associated with operating the Company’s supply chain, including payroll and benefit costs, warehouse occupancy costs, transportation costs and depreciation; and • Inventory shrinkage Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses • Payroll and benefit costs for store and store support employees; • Occupancy costs of store and store support facilities; • Depreciation and amortization related to retail and store support assets; • Transportation costs associated with commercial and hub deliveries; • Advertising; • Self insurance costs; and • Other administrative costs, such as credit card transaction fees, legal costs, supplies and travel and lodging Warranty Costs: Shipping and Handling Costs: Pre-opening Expenses: Earnings per Share: Share-Based Payments: Risk and Uncertainties: Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17 , Income Taxes – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740) 2015-17 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. 2014-09, 2014-09 In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments 2015-16 2015-16 In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): 2016-01 2016-01 In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) 2016-02 2016-02 In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-04, Liabilities – Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): 2016-04 2016-04 In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting. 2016-09 2016-09 In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 , Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (A Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). 2016-15 2016-15 The Company believes that no other new accounting guidance that was issued during fiscal 2016 will be relevant to the readers of its financial statements.

Share-Based Payments

Share-Based Payments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Payments	Note B – Share-Based Payments Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $39.8 million for fiscal 2016, $41.0 million for fiscal 2015 and $39.4 million for fiscal 2014. As of August 27, 2016, share-based compensation expense for unvested awards not yet recognized in earnings was $41.3 million and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years. Tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost are classified as a financing cash inflow. On December 15, 2010, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2011 Plan”), allowing the Company to provide equity-based compensation to non-employee directors and employees for their service to AutoZone or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Prior to the Company’s adoption of the 2011 Plan, equity-based compensation was provided to employees under the 2006 Stock Option Plan and to non-employee directors under the 2003 Director Compensation Plan (the “2003 Comp Plan”) and the 2003 Director Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Option Plan”). During fiscal 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Amended 2011 Equity Plan”). The Amended 2011 Equity Plan imposes a maximum limit on the compensation, measured as the sum of any cash compensation and the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted under the Amended 2011 Equity Plan, which may be paid to non-employee directors for such service during any calendar year. The Amended 2011 Equity Plan also applies a ten-year term on the Amended 2011 Equity Plan through December 16, 2025 and extends the Company’s ability to grant incentive stock options through October 7, 2025. The Company grants options to purchase common stock to certain of its employees under its plan at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date of grant. Options have a term of 10 years or 10 years and one day from grant date. Employee options generally vest in equal annual installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and generally have 30 or 90 days after the service relationship ends, or one year after death, to exercise all vested options. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date. In addition to the 2011 Plan, on December 15, 2010, the Company adopted the 2011 Director Compensation Program (the “2011 Program”), which stated that non-employee directors would receive their compensation in awards of restricted stock units under the 2011 Plan. Under the 2011 Program, restricted stock units are granted the first day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted stock units granted each quarter is determined by dividing one-fourth of 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 the date they are issued and are paid in shares of the Company’s common stock subsequent to the non-employee director ceasing to be a member of the Board. The 2011 Program replaced the 2003 Comp Plan and the 2003 Option Plan. Under the 2003 Comp Plan, non-employee directors could receive no more than one-half of their director fees immediately in cash, and the remainder of the fees was required to be taken in common stock or stock appreciation rights. The director had the option to elect to receive up to 100% of the fees in stock or defer all or part of the fees in units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. At August 27, 2016, the Company had $13.6 million accrued related to 17,990 outstanding units issued under the 2003 Comp Plan and prior plans, and there was $13.1 million accrued related to 17,990 outstanding units issued as of August 29, 2015. No additional shares of stock or units will be issued in future years under the 2003 Comp Plan. Under the 2003 Option Plan, each non-employee director received an option grant on January 1 of each year, and each new non-employee director received an option to purchase 3,000 shares upon election to the Board, plus a portion of the annual directors’ option grant prorated for the portion of the year actually served. These stock option grants were made at the fair market value as of the grant date and generally vested three years from the grant date. There were 24,000 and 32,000 outstanding options under the 2003 Option Plan as of August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively. No additional shares of stock will be issued in future years under the 2003 Option Plan. 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 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 2011 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. The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The following table presents the weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted and the related share-based compensation expense: Year Ended August 27, August 29, August 30, Expected price volatility 18 % 20 % 23 % Risk-free interest rates 1.5 % 1.4 % 1.0 % Weighted average expected lives ( in years 5.7 5.1 5.2 Forfeiture rate 10 % 9 % 9 % Dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 % The following methodologies were applied in developing the assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted: Expected price volatility Risk-free interest rate Expected lives Forfeiture rate Dividend yield The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted was $156.20 during fiscal 2016, $106.27 during fiscal 2015 and $96.97 during fiscal 2014. The intrinsic value of options exercised was $178.0 million in fiscal 2016, $154.8 million in fiscal 2015 and $70.6 million in fiscal 2014. The total fair value of options vested was $32.2 million in fiscal 2016, $30.6 million in fiscal 2015 and $27.7 million in fiscal 2014. The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended August 27, 2016: Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Weighted- (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic (in thousands) Outstanding – August 29, 2015 1,769,429 $ 327.90 Granted 378,415 745.81 Exercised (334,799 ) 239.94 Cancelled (53,637 ) 518.17 Outstanding – August 27, 2016 1,759,408 428.72 6.39 $ 572,011 Exercisable 957,159 293.50 4.87 440,261 Expected to vest 722,024 590.04 8.20 117,997 Available for future grants 1,149,507 The Company recognized $2.0 million in expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives under various share purchase plans in fiscal 2016, $2.1 million in fiscal 2015 and $1.7 million in fiscal 2014. The Sixth Amended and Restated AutoZone, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Plan”), which is qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, permits all eligible employees to purchase AutoZone’s common stock at 85% of the lower of the market price of the common stock on the first day or last day of each calendar quarter through payroll deductions. Maximum permitted annual purchases are $15,000 per employee or 10 percent of compensation, whichever is less. Under the Employee Plan, 12,662 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2016, 14,222 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2015 and 15,355 shares were sold to employees in fiscal 2014. The Company repurchased 12,460 shares at market value in fiscal 2016, 15,594 shares at market value in fiscal 2015 and 16,013 shares at market value in fiscal 2014 from employees electing to sell their stock. Issuances of shares under the Employee Plan are netted against repurchases and such repurchases are not included in share repurchases disclosed in “Note K – Stock Repurchase Program.” At August 27, 2016, 192,505 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Employee Plan. Once executives have reached the maximum purchases under the Employee Plan, the Fifth Amended and Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan (the “Executive Plan”) permits all eligible executives to purchase AutoZone’s common stock in an amount up to 25 percent of his or her annual salary and bonus. Purchases under the Executive Plan were 1,943 shares in fiscal 2016, 2,229 shares in fiscal 2015 and 3,028 shares in fiscal 2014. At August 27, 2016, 241,753 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the Executive Plan.

Accrued Expenses and Other

Accrued Expenses and Other	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other	Note C – Accrued Expenses and Other Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits $ 180,012 $ 177,218 Property, sales and other taxes 95,293 86,824 Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion) 78,458 79,485 Capital lease obligations 44,834 40,528 Accrued interest 34,179 35,828 Accrued gift cards 24,129 22,358 Accrued sales and warranty returns 19,527 17,223 Other 75,193 72,097 $ 551,625 $ 531,561 The Company retains a significant portion of the insurance risks associated with workers’ compensation, employee health, general, products liability, property and vehicle insurance. A portion of these self-insured losses is managed through a wholly owned insurance captive. The Company maintains certain levels for stop-loss coverage for each self-insured plan in order to limit its liability for large claims. The limits are per claim and are $1.5 million for workers’ compensation and property, $2.0 million for vehicles, $0.7 million for employee health and $1.0 million for general and products liability.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note D – Income Taxes The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Domestic $ 1,737,727 $ 1,676,640 $ 1,550,203 International 174,987 125,972 112,511 $ 1,912,714 $ 1,802,612 $ 1,662,714 The provision for income tax expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Current: Federal $ 534,621 $ 522,073 $ 516,983 State 39,223 41,921 54,481 International 52,844 42,406 36,204 626,688 606,400 607,668 Deferred: Federal 48,509 38,299 (762 ) State 9,453 941 (7,752 ) International (12,943 ) (3,269 ) (6,184 ) 45,019 35,971 (14,698 ) Income tax expense $ 671,707 $ 642,371 $ 592,970 A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes is as follows: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net 1.6 % 1.5 % 1.8 % Other (1.5 %) (0.9 %) (1.1 %) Effective tax rate 35.1 % 35.6 % 35.7 % Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss and credit carryforwards $ 50,859 $ 49,088 Accrued benefits 93,212 85,266 Pension 13,397 21,104 Other 55,203 56,125 Total deferred tax assets 212,671 211,583 Less: Valuation allowances (13,338 ) (8,833 ) Net deferred tax asset 199,333 202,750 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (93,943 ) (68,920 ) Inventory (315,563 ) (294,242 ) Prepaid Expenses (27,395 ) (27,134 ) Other (10,077 ) (25,270 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (446,978 ) (415,566 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (247,645 ) $ (212,816 ) Deferred taxes are not provided for temporary differences of $572.0 million at August 27, 2016, and $431.9 million at August 29, 2015, representing earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries that are intended to be permanently reinvested. If a tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings had been recorded it would have been approximately $35.0 million and $12.0 million at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively. At August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, the Company had deferred tax assets of $25.2 million and $19.5 million, respectively, from net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income totaling approximately $122.0 million and $113.6 million, respectively. Certain NOLs have no expiration date and others will expire, if not utilized, in various years from fiscal 2017 through 2035. At August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, the Company had deferred tax assets for income tax credit carryforwards of $25.7 million and $29.6 million, respectively. Certain income tax credit carryforwards have no expiration and others will expire, if not utilized, in various years from fiscal 2023 through 2026. At August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, the Company had a valuation allowance of $13.3 million and $8.8 million, respectively, on deferred tax assets associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards for which management has determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes it is more likely than not that the remaining deferred tax assets will be fully realized. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Beginning balance $ 28,434 $ 33,128 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 7,172 5,707 Additions for tax positions of prior years 95 625 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (2,405 ) (1,268 ) Reductions due to settlements (858 ) (5,312 ) Reductions due to statute of limitations (4,712 ) (4,446 ) Ending balance $ 27,726 $ 28,434 Included in the August 27, 2016 and the August 29, 2015 balances are $15.5 million and $16.8 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense. The Company had $2.8 million and $2.9 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively. The Company files U.S. federal, U.S. state and local and international income tax returns. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or Non-U.S. examinations by tax authorities for fiscal year 2012 and prior. The Company is typically engaged in various tax examinations at any given time by U.S. federal, state and local and international taxing jurisdictions. As of August 27, 2016, the Company estimates that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $3.9 million over the next 12 months as a result of tax audit settlements. While the Company believes that it is adequately accrued for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined at this time and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note E – Fair Value Measurements The Company has adopted ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels: Level 1 inputs Level 2 inputs Level 3 inputs 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: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Other current assets $ 7,326 $ — $ — $ 7,326 Other long-term assets 65,350 25,675 — 91,025 $ 72,676 $ 25,675 $ — $ 98,351 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Other current assets $ 8,790 $ — $ — $ 8,790 Other long-term assets 63,342 16,295 — 79,637 $ 72,132 $ 16,295 $ — $ 88,427 At August 27, 2016, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $7.3 million, which are included within Other current assets and long-term marketable securities of $91.0 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. A discussion on how the Company’s cash flow hedges are valued is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments,” while the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets are disclosed in “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans.” 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 fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, 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. The fair value of the Company’s debt is disclosed in “Note I – Financing.”

Marketable Securities

Marketable Securities	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	Note F – 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: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Amortized Basis Gross Gross Fair Value Corporate securities $ 37,789 $ 198 $ (6 ) $ 37,981 Government bonds 33,497 24 (35 ) 33,486 Mortgage-backed securities 6,865 18 (29 ) 6,854 Asset-backed securities and other 20,015 26 (11 ) 20,030 $ 98,166 $ 266 $ (81 ) $ 98,351 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Amortized Basis Gross Gross Fair Corporate securities $ 34,859 $ 51 $ (40 ) $ 34,870 Government bonds 33,098 31 (7 ) 33,122 Mortgage-backed securities 9,287 17 (99 ) 9,205 Asset-backed securities and other 11,223 9 (2 ) 11,230 $ 88,467 $ 108 $ (148 ) $ 88,427 The debt securities held at August 27, 2016, 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 sale of marketable securities during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014. The Company holds 49 securities that are in an unrealized loss position of approximately $81 thousand at August 27, 2016. 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 its intent and ability to hold the investments until maturity or until recovery of fair value. Included above in total marketable securities are $61.8 million and $45.6 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 as of August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Note G – 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 consisted of the following: (in thousands) Pension Liability Foreign Net Derivatives Total Balance at August 30, 2014 $ (63,820 ) $ (57,836 ) $ 76 $ (7,323 ) $ (128,903 ) Other comprehensive (loss) before reclassifications (12,345 ) (113,652 ) (80 ) — (126,077 ) Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) 5,370 (2) — (22 ) (4) 114 (5) 5,462 Balance at August 29, 2015 (70,795 ) (171,488 ) (26 ) (7,209 ) (249,518 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (24,542 ) (39,524 ) 206 (2,687 ) (66,547 ) Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) 6,447 (2) — (60 ) (4) 2,149 (5) 8,536 Balance at August 27, 2016 $ (88,890 ) $ (211,012 ) $ 120 $ (7,747 ) $ (307,529 ) (1) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss. (2) Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $4,059 in fiscal 2016 and $3,571 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note L – 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 on marketable securities, net of taxes of $33 in fiscal 2016 and $12 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note F – Marketable Securities” for further discussion. (5) Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $315 in fiscal 2016 and $68 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion. The 2016 pension actuarial loss of $24.5 million and the 2015 pension actuarial loss of $12.3 million include amounts not yet reflected in periodic pension costs primarily driven by changes in the discount rate.

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments The Company periodically uses derivatives to hedge exposures to interest rates. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. For transactions that meet the hedge accounting criteria, the Company formally designates and documents the instrument as a hedge at inception and quarterly thereafter assesses the hedges to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the underlying exposures. Derivatives are recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value, determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. In accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging At August 27, 2016, the Company had $12.3 million recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net 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 fiscal year ended August 27, 2016, the Company reclassified $1.8 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. In the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015, the Company reclassified $182 thousand of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense. The Company expects to reclassify $2.2 million of net losses from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Interest expense over the next 12 months.

Financing

Financing	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing	Note I – Financing The Company’s debt consisted of the following: (in thousands) August 27, 2016 August 29, 5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% $ — $ 300,000 6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09% — 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 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77% 250,000 — 4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% 500,000 500,000 2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62% 250,000 250,000 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 3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36% 400,000 400,000 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28% 400,000 — Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.72% and 0.45% at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively 1,197,500 1,047,600 Total debt before discounts and debt issuance costs 4,947,500 4,647,600 Less: Discounts and debt issuance costs 23,381 22,724 Long-term debt $ 4,924,119 $ 4,624,876 As of August 27, 2016, $1.198 billion of commercial paper borrowings and the $400 million 1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017 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 August 27, 2016, the Company had $1.708 billion of availability under its $1.75 billion revolving credit facilities, which would allow it to replace these short-term obligations with long-term financing facilities. On December 19, 2014, the Company amended and restated its existing revolving credit facility (the “Multi-Year Credit Agreement”) by increasing the amount of capital leases allowable to $225 million, extending the expiration date by two years and renegotiating 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. The original expiration date of the credit facility was December 19, 2015, but in accordance with the credit agreement, in November 2015, the Company requested, and the banks approved, the extension of the termination date to December 16, 2016. In addition, at least 15 days prior to December 16, 2016, the Company has the right to convert the credit facility to a term loan for up to one year from the termination date, subject to a 1% penalty. The revolving credit facility agreements require that the Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.5:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. The Company’s consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 27, 2016 was 5.5:1. As of August 27, 2016, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under either of the revolving credit facilities and $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Multi-Year Credit Agreement. The Company also maintains a letter of credit facility that allows it to request the participating bank to issue letters of credit on its behalf up to an aggregate amount of $100 million. The letter of credit facility is in addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the Multi-Year Credit Agreement. In fiscal 2016, the Company amended its existing letter of credit facility to decrease the amount that can be requested in letters of credit from $100 million to $75 million effective June 2016. This amendment also extended the maturity date from June 2016 to June 2019. As of August 27, 2016, the Company had $74.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the letter of credit facility. In addition to the outstanding letters of credit issued under the committed facilities discussed above, the Company had $27.9 million in letters of credit outstanding as of August 27, 2016. These letters of credit have various maturity dates and were issued on an uncommitted basis. On April 21, 2016, the Company issued $400 million in 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026 and $250 million in 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019 under its shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015 (the “2015 Shelf Registration”). The 2015 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 location openings, stock repurchases and acquisitions. Proceeds from the debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes. On April 29, 2015, the Company issued $400 million in 3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025 and $250 million in 2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021 under its 2015 Shelf Registration. Proceeds from the debt issuances were used to repay a portion of the Company’s outstanding commercial paper borrowings, which were used to repay the $500 million in 5.750% Senior Notes due in January 2015, and for general corporate purposes. 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. Proceeds from the debt issuance on January 14, 2014, were used to repay a portion of the Company’s $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. The 5.750% Senior Notes issued in July 2009 and 7.125% Senior Notes issued during August 2008 (collectively, the “Notes”) are subject to an interest rate adjustment if the debt ratings assigned to the Notes are downgraded. Further, all senior notes contain a provision that repayment of the notes may be accelerated if we experience a change in control (as defined in the agreements). Our borrowings under our senior notes contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under our revolving credit facilities, covenants include limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a change of control provision that may require acceleration of the repayment obligations under certain circumstances. All of the repayment obligations under our borrowing arrangements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. As of August 27, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to its borrowing arrangements. All of the Company’s debt is unsecured. Scheduled maturities of debt are as follows: (in thousands) Scheduled 2017 $ 1,597,500 2018 250,000 2019 250,000 2020 — 2021 750,000 Thereafter 2,100,000 Subtotal 4,947,500 Discount and debt issuance costs 23,381 Total Debt $ 4,924,119 The fair value of the Company’s debt was estimated at $5.117 billion as of August 27, 2016, and $4.696 billion as of August 29, 2015, 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 $192.7 million at August 27, 2016 and $70.7 million at August 29, 2015, which reflect their face amount, adjusted for any unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts.

Interest Expense

Interest Expense	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]
Interest Expense	Note J – Interest Expense Net interest expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Interest expense $ 150,961 $ 153,007 $ 170,400 Interest income (2,371 ) (1,605 ) (1,850 ) Capitalized interest (909 ) (963 ) (1,041 ) $ 147,681 $ 150,439 $ 167,509

Stock Repurchase Program

Stock Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Stock Repurchase Program	Note K – Stock Repurchase Program During 1998, the Company announced a program permitting the Company to repurchase a portion of its outstanding shares not to exceed a dollar maximum established by the Board. The program was amended on March 22, 2016 to increase the repurchase authorization to $17.15 billion from $16.4 billion. From January 1998 to August 27, 2016, the Company has repurchased a total of 140.8 million shares at an aggregate cost of $16.755 billion. The Company’s share repurchase activity consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Amount $ 1,452,462 $ 1,271,416 $ 1,099,212 Shares 1,903 2,010 2,232 During fiscal year 2016, 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 $1.424 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $67.0 million. During the comparable prior year period, the Company retired 2.1 million shares of treasury stock, which increased Retained deficit by $1.050 billion and decreased Additional paid-in capital by $57.4 million. On September 22, 2016, the Board voted to increase the authorization by $750 million. This brings the total value of shares authorized to $17.9 billion. Subsequent to August 27, 2016, the Company has repurchased 390,473 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $297.6 million. Considering the cumulative repurchases and the increase in authorization subsequent to August 27, 2016, the Company has $847.7 million remaining under the Board’s authorization to repurchase its common stock.

Pension and Savings Plans

Pension and Savings Plans	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Savings Plans	Note L – Pension and Savings Plans Prior to January 1, 2003, substantially all full-time employees were covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The benefits under the plan were based on years of service and the employee’s highest consecutive five-year average compensation. On January 1, 2003, the plan was frozen. Accordingly, pension plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan. On January 1, 2003, the Company’s supplemental defined benefit pension plan for certain highly compensated employees was also frozen. Accordingly, plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan. The Company has recognized the unfunded status of the defined pension plans in its Consolidated Balance Sheets, which represents the difference between the fair value of pension plan assets and the projected benefit obligations of its defined benefit pension plans. The net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic benefit cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. Those amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost on the same basis as the amounts previously recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company’s investment strategy for pension plan assets is to utilize a diversified mix of domestic and international equity and fixed income portfolios to earn a long-term investment return that meets the Company’s pension plan obligations. The pension plan assets are invested primarily in listed securities, and the pension plans hold only a minimal investment in AutoZone common stock that is entirely at the discretion of third-party pension fund investment managers. The Company’s largest holding classes, fixed income bonds and U.S. equities, are invested with a fund manager that holds diversified portfolios. Accordingly, the Company does not have any significant concentrations of risk in particular securities, issuers, sectors, industries or geographic regions. Alternative investment strategies were fully liquidated during fiscal 2016. The Company’s investment managers are prohibited from using derivatives for speculative purposes and are not permitted to use derivatives to leverage a portfolio. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s investments measured at fair value: U.S., international, emerging and high yield equities – Alternative investments – Fixed income securities – Cash and cash equivalents – The fair values of investments by level and asset category and the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans at the measurement date are presented in the following table: August 27, 2016 Fair Value Asset Allocation Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands) Actual Target Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 U.S. equities $ 66,008 22.9 % 26.0 % $ — $ 66,008 $ — International equities 42,023 14.5 17.0 — 42,023 — Emerging equities 22,848 7.9 8.5 — 22,848 — High yield securities 21,445 7.4 8.5 — 21,445 — Alternative investments — — — — — — Fixed income securities 99,336 34.3 40.0 — 99,336 — Cash and cash equivalents 37,726 13.0 — — 37,726 — $ 289,386 100.0 % 100.0 % $ — $ 289,386 $ — August 29, 2015 Fair Value Asset Allocation Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands) Actual Target Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 U.S. equities $ 60,286 25.3 % 25.8 % $ — $ 60,286 $ — International equities 38,725 16.2 17.2 — 38,725 — Emerging equities 16,393 6.9 8.5 — 16,393 — High yield securities 19,310 8.1 8.5 — 19,310 — Alternative investments 307 0.1 — — — 307 Fixed income securities 93,362 39.1 40.0 — 93,362 — Cash and cash equivalents 10,372 4.3 — — 10,372 — $ 238,755 100.0 % 100.0 % $ — $ 238,448 $ 307 The asset allocations in the charts above include $48.0 million and $11.5 million in cash contributions made in the last month prior to the balance sheet date of August 27, 2016, and August 29, 2015, respectively. Subsequent to August 27, 2016, and August 29, 2015, these cash contributions were allocated to the pension plan investments in accordance with the targeted asset allocation. In August 2014, the Company’s Investment Committee approved a revised asset allocation target for the investments held by the pension plan. Based on the revised asset allocation target, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets changed from 7.5% for the year ended August 30, 2014, to 7.0% for the years ending August 29, 2015 and August 27, 2016. During fiscal 2016, the Company fully liquidated the Level 3 assets. The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Change in Projected Benefit Obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 296,123 $ 300,966 Interest cost 11,272 12,338 Actuarial (gains) losses 39,842 (1,056 ) Benefits paid (18,726 ) (16,125 ) Benefit obligations at end of year $ 328,511 $ 296,123 Change in Plan Assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 238,755 $ 243,407 Actual return on plan assets 16,636 (5,604 ) Employer contributions 52,721 17,077 Benefits paid (18,726 ) (16,125 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 289,386 $ 238,755 Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position: Current liabilities $ (276 ) $ (253 ) Long-term liabilities (38,849 ) (57,115 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,125 ) $ (57,368 ) Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Net actuarial loss $ (145,948 ) $ (116,735 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (145,948 ) $ (116,735 ) Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year’s Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Net actuarial loss $ (13,874 ) $ (10,506 ) Amount recognized $ (13,874 ) $ (10,506 ) Net periodic benefit expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Interest cost $ 11,272 $ 12,338 $ 13,070 Expected return on plan assets (16,512 ) (16,281 ) (15,386 ) Recognized net actuarial losses 10,506 8,941 6,879 Net periodic benefit expense $ 5,266 $ 4,998 $ 4,563 The blended actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation include the following: Year Ended August 27, August 29, August 30, Discount rate to determine benefit obligation 3.72 % 4.50 % 4.28 % Discount rate to determine net interest cost 3.90 % 4.28 % 5.19 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 7.00 % 7.00 % 7.50 % As the plan benefits are frozen, increases in future compensation levels no longer impact the calculation and there is no service cost. The discount rate to determine the projected benefit obligation is determined as of the measurement date and is based on the calculated yield of a portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds with cash flows that generally match the Company’s expected benefit payments in future years. During fiscal 2016, the Company changed the method used to estimate the interest cost component of net periodic benefit cost. Previously, the Company estimated interest cost using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation. The Company elected to utilize a spot rate approach by applying specific spot rates along the yield curve to calculate interest costs instead of a single weighted-average discount rate. This calculation is believed to be more refined under the applicable accounting standard. The impact of this change to net periodic benefit cost is a reduction of $1.8 million in fiscal 2016. The Company accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate and accounted for it prospectively. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the historical relationships between the investment classes and the capital markets, updated for current conditions. The Company makes annual contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The Company contributed $52.7 million to the plans in fiscal 2016, $17.1 million to the plans in fiscal 2015 and $16.9 million to the plans in fiscal 2014. The Company expects to contribute approximately $17.8 million to the plans in fiscal 2017; however, a change to the expected cash funding may be impacted by a change in interest rates, a change in the actual or expected return on plan assets or through other plans initiated by management. Based on current assumptions about future events, benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows for each of the following fiscal years. Actual benefit payments may vary significantly from the following estimates: (in thousands) Benefit 2017 $ 12,066 2018 11,803 2019 12,546 2020 13,273 2021 13,889 2022 – 2026 76,204 The Company has a 401(k) plan that covers all domestic employees who meet the plan’s participation requirements. The plan features include Company matching contributions, immediate 100% vesting of Company contributions and a savings option up to 25% of qualified earnings. The Company makes matching contributions, per pay period, up to a specified percentage of employees’ contributions as approved by the Board. The Company made matching contributions to employee accounts in connection with the 401(k) plan of $19.7 million in fiscal 2016, $17.7 million in fiscal 2015 and $15.6 million in fiscal 2014.

Acquisition

Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Note M – 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 continues 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 Locations 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 consolidated statements of income. The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill of $24.1 million and intangible assets totaling $3.6 million. Goodwill generated from the acquisition is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangibles	Note N – Goodwill and Intangibles The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows: (in thousands) Auto Parts Other Total Net balance as of August 30, 2014 $ 302,645 $ 65,184 $ 367,829 Goodwill added through acquisition (1) 24,058 — 24,058 Goodwill adjustments — — — Net balance as of August 29, 2015 326,703 65,184 391,887 Goodwill added through acquisition — — — Goodwill adjustments — — — Net balance as of August 27, 2016 $ 326,703 $ 65,184 $ 391,887 (1) See “Note M – Acquisition” for discussion of the acquisition completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangibles impairment test in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, the Company concluded that its goodwill was not impaired. Total accumulated goodwill impairment for both August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015 is $18.3 million. The carrying amounts of intangible assets are included in Other long-term assets as follows: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Estimated Life Gross Accumulated Net Carrying Amortizing intangible assets: Technology 3-5 years $ 10,570 $ (7,988 ) $ 2,582 Noncompete agreements 5 years 1,300 (963 ) 337 Customer relationships 3-10 years 49,676 (18,514 ) 31,162 $ 61,546 $ (27,465 ) 34,081 Non-amortizing intangible asset: Trade names 26,900 Total intangible assets other than goodwill $ 60,981 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Estimated Life Gross Accumulated Net Carrying Amortizing intangible assets: Technology 3-5 years $ 10,570 $ (5,757 ) $ 4,813 Noncompete agreements 5 years 1,300 (703 ) 597 Customer relationships 3-10 years 49,676 (12,256 ) 37,420 $ 61,546 $ (18,716 ) 42,830 Non-amortizing intangible asset: Trade names 26,900 Total intangible assets other than goodwill $ 69,730 During fiscal 2015, the Company recorded an increase to intangible assets of $3.6 million related to the acquisition of IMC. During fiscal 2014, the Company purchased $30.2 million of intangible assets relating to the rights to certain customer relationships and technology assets relating to its ALLDATA operations. Additionally, during fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company made an installment payment of $10 million in each year related to certain customer relationships purchased during 2014 relating to its ALLDATA operations. As part of its annual impairment test, the Company evaluates the AutoAnything and IMC trade names for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company concluded that AutoAnything’s and IMC’s trade names were not impaired. Trade names at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015 reflect a total accumulated impairment of $4.1 million. Amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years ended August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015 was $8.7 million. 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 August 27, 2016, is estimated as follows: (in thousands) Total 2017 $ 8,482 2018 6,855 2019 6,203 2020 6,203 2021 3,474 Thereafter 2,864 $ 34,081

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Note O – Leases The Company leases some of its retail stores, distribution centers, facilities, land and equipment, including vehicles. Other than vehicle leases, most of the leases are operating leases, which include renewal options made at the Company’s election and provisions for percentage rent based on sales. Rental expense was $280.5 million in fiscal 2016, $269.5 million in fiscal 2015 and $253.8 million in fiscal 2014. Percentage rentals were insignificant. The Company records rent for all operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods and the period of time prior to the lease term that the Company is in possession of the leased space for the purpose of installing leasehold improvements. Differences between recorded rent expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability in Accrued expenses and other and Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the terms of the lease. The deferred rent approximated $121.7 million on August 27, 2016, and $113.7 million on August 29, 2015. The Company has a fleet of vehicles used for delivery to its commercial customers and stores and travel for members of field management. The majority of these vehicles are held under capital lease. At August 27, 2016, the Company had capital lease assets of $148.5 million, net of accumulated amortization of $59.5 million, and capital lease obligations of $147.3 million, of which $44.8 million is classified as Accrued expenses and other as it represents the current portion of these obligations. At August 29, 2015, the Company had capital lease assets of $132.3 million, net of accumulated amortization of $63.7 million, and capital lease obligations of $128.2 million, of which $40.5 million is classified as Accrued expenses and other as it represents the current portion of these obligations. Future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital leases were as follows at the end of fiscal 2016: (in thousands) Operating Capital 2017 $ 274,341 $ 44,834 2018 266,301 42,978 2019 248,263 34,360 2020 225,276 21,333 2021 201,207 8,446 Thereafter 890,869 — Total minimum payments required $ 2,106,257 151,951 Less: Interest (4,666 ) Present value of minimum capital lease payments $ 147,285 In connection with the Company’s December 2001 sale of the TruckPro business, the Company subleased some properties to the purchaser for an initial term of not less than 20 years. The Company’s remaining aggregate rental obligation at August 27, 2016 of $10.6 million is included in the above table, but the obligation is offset by the sublease rental agreement.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note P – Commitments and Contingencies Construction commitments, primarily for new distribution centers and stores, totaled approximately $106.6 million at August 27, 2016. The Company had $106.1 million in outstanding standby letters of credit and $33.4 million in surety bonds as of August 27, 2016, which all have expiration periods of less than one year. A substantial portion of the outstanding standby letters of credit (which are primarily renewed on an annual basis) and surety bonds are used to cover reimbursement obligations to our workers’ compensation carriers. There are no additional contingent liabilities associated with these instruments as the underlying liabilities are already reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The standby letters of credit and surety bonds arrangements have automatic renewal clauses.

Litigation

Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation	Note Q – Litigation 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 received notice that the District Attorney will seek injunctive and monetary relief. The Company is cooperating fully with the request and cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these efforts, although the Company has accrued all amounts it believes to be probable and reasonably estimable. The Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In April 2016, the Company received a letter from the California Air Resources Board seeking payment for alleged violations of the California Health and Safety Code related to the sale of certain aftermarket emission parts in the State of California. The Company does not believe that any resolution of the matter will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 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 its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Note R – Segment Reporting Four of the Company’s operating segments (Domestic Auto Parts, Mexico, Brazil and IMC) are aggregated as one reportable segment: Auto Parts Locations. 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. The Auto Parts Locations segment is a retailer and distributor of automotive parts and accessories through the Company’s 5,814 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. The following table shows segment results for the following fiscal years: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Net Sales: Auto Parts Locations $ 10,261,112 $ 9,824,876 $ 9,132,169 Other 374,564 362,464 343,144 Total $ 10,635,676 $ 10,187,340 $ 9,475,313 Segment Profit: Auto Parts Locations $ 5,410,477 $ 5,132,624 $ 4,744,501 Other 198,259 194,407 190,406 Gross profit 5,608,736 5,327,031 4,934,907 Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses (3,548,341 ) (3,373,980 ) (3,104,684 ) Interest expense, net (147,681 ) (150,439 ) (167,509 ) Income before income taxes $ 1,912,714 $ 1,802,612 $ 1,662,714 Segment Assets: Auto Parts Locations $ 8,351,883 $ 7,883,720 $ 7,279,665 Other 247,904 218,629 217,498 Total $ 8,599,787 $ 8,102,349 $ 7,497,163 Capital Expenditures: Auto Parts Locations $ 470,631 $ 464,246 $ 423,951 Other 18,160 16,333 14,165 Total $ 488,791 $ 480,579 $ 438,116 Auto Parts Locations Sales by Product Grouping: Failure $ 4,913,423 $ 4,650,271 $ 4,274,528 Maintenance items 3,721,240 3,618,779 3,362,969 Discretionary 1,626,449 1,555,826 1,494,672 Auto Parts Locations net sales $ 10,261,112 $ 9,824,876 $ 9,132,169

Quarterly Summary

Quarterly Summary	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Summary	Note S – Quarterly Summary (1) (Unaudited) Twelve Weeks Ended Sixteen Weeks Ended (in thousands, except per share data) November 21, February 13, May 7, 2016 August 27, (2) Net sales $ 2,386,043 $ 2,257,192 $ 2,593,672 $ 3,398,769 Gross profit 1,252,934 1,190,596 1,370,458 1,794,748 Operating profit 437,995 382,660 536,374 703,366 Income before income taxes 402,985 349,828 502,323 657,577 Net income 258,112 228,613 327,515 426,768 Basic earnings per share 8.46 7.58 10.99 14.58 Diluted earnings per share 8.29 7.43 10.77 14.30 Twelve Weeks Ended Sixteen Weeks Ended (in thousands, except per share data) November 22, February 14, May 9, 2015 August 29, (2) Net sales $ 2,260,264 $ 2,143,651 $ 2,493,021 $ 3,290,404 Gross profit 1,176,661 1,120,033 1,302,789 1,727,548 Operating profit 408,562 361,269 513,949 669,272 Income before income taxes 371,502 326,733 482,170 622,207 Net income 238,310 211,723 309,071 401,137 Basic earnings per share 7.42 6.64 9.77 13.02 Diluted earnings per share 7.27 6.51 9.57 12.75 (1) The sum of quarterly amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported due to rounding. In addition, the earnings per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter while the full year is based on the annual weighted average shares outstanding. (2) The fourth quarter for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are based on a 16-week period. All other quarters presented are based on a 12-week period.

Significant Accounting Polici29

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business	Business:
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year:
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation:
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash balances are held in various locations around the world. Cash and cash equivalents of $78.1 million and $64.9 million were held outside of the U.S. as of August 27, 2016, and August 29, 2015, respectively, and were generally utilized to support liquidity needs in foreign operations. The Company intends to continue to permanently reinvest the cash held outside of the U.S. in its foreign operations.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable:
Merchandise Inventories	Merchandise Inventories:
Marketable Securities	Marketable Securities:
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment:
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:
Goodwill	Goodwill:
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets:
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: AutoZone’s financial market risk results primarily from changes in interest rates. At times, AutoZone reduces its exposure to changes in interest rates by entering into various interest rate hedge instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, treasury lock agreements and forward-starting interest rate swaps. All of the Company’s interest rate hedge instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. Refer to “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. Cash flows related to these instruments designated as qualifying hedges are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted issuance of debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows. The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to Accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency:
Self-Insurance Reserves	Self-Insurance Reserves:
Deferred Rent	Deferred Rent:
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments:
Income Taxes	Income Taxes: The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company must determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. These reevaluations are based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit, expirations due to statutes and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the tax accrual. The Company classifies interest related to income tax liabilities, and if applicable, penalties, as a component of Income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties that are expected to be payable within one year of the balance sheet date are presented within the Accrued expenses and other caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portion of the income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are presented within the Other long-term liabilities caption in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets because payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date. Refer to “Note D – Income Taxes” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s income taxes.
Sales and Use Taxes	Sales and Use Taxes:
Dividends	Dividends:
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: A portion of the Company’s transactions include the sale of auto parts that contain a core component. The core component represents the recyclable portion of the auto part. Customers are not charged for the core component of the new part if a used core is returned at the point of sale of the new part; otherwise the Company charges customers a specified amount for the core component. The Company refunds that same amount upon the customer returning a used core to the store at a later date. The Company does not recognize sales or cost of sales for the core component of these transactions when a used part is returned or expected to be returned from the customer.
Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs	Vendor Allowances and Advertising Costs: Rebates and other miscellaneous incentives are earned based on purchases or product sales and are accrued ratably over the purchase or sale of the related product. These monies are generally recorded as a reduction of merchandise inventories and are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the related inventories are sold. For arrangements that provide for reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable costs incurred by the Company in selling the vendors’ products, the vendor funds are recorded as a reduction to Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which the specific costs were incurred. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds, was $98.3 million in fiscal 2016, $98.0 million in fiscal 2015 and $84.7 million in fiscal 2014. Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense, amounted to $21.4 million in fiscal 2016, $22.0 million in fiscal 2015 and $28.4 million in fiscal 2014.
Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Cost of Sales and Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Cost of Sales • Total cost of merchandise sold, including: • Freight expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from the Company’s vendors to the distribution centers; • Vendor allowances that are not reimbursements for specific, incremental, identifiable costs • Costs associated with operating the Company’s supply chain, including payroll and benefit costs, warehouse occupancy costs, transportation costs and depreciation; and • Inventory shrinkage Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses • Payroll and benefit costs for store and store support employees; • Occupancy costs of store and store support facilities; • Depreciation and amortization related to retail and store support assets; • Transportation costs associated with commercial and hub deliveries; • Advertising; • Self insurance costs; and • Other administrative costs, such as credit card transaction fees, legal costs, supplies and travel and lodging
Warranty Costs	Warranty Costs:
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs:
Pre-opening Expenses	Pre-opening Expenses:
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per Share:
Share-Based Payments	Share-Based Payments:
Risk and Uncertainties	Risk and Uncertainties:
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17 , Income Taxes – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740) 2015-17
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. 2014-09, 2014-09 In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments 2015-16 2015-16 In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): 2016-01 2016-01 In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) 2016-02 2016-02 In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-04, Liabilities – Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): 2016-04 2016-04 In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting. 2016-09 2016-09 In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 , Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (A Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). 2016-15 2016-15 The Company believes that no other new accounting guidance that was issued during fiscal 2016 will be relevant to the readers of its financial statements.

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
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 following table presents the weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted and the related share-based compensation expense: Year Ended August 27, August 29, August 30, Expected price volatility 18 % 20 % 23 % Risk-free interest rates 1.5 % 1.4 % 1.0 % Weighted average expected lives ( in years 5.7 5.1 5.2 Forfeiture rate 10 % 9 % 9 % Dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 %
Stock Option Activity	The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. The following table summarizes information about stock option activity for the year ended August 27, 2016: Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Weighted- (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic (in thousands) Outstanding – August 29, 2015 1,769,429 $ 327.90 Granted 378,415 745.81 Exercised (334,799 ) 239.94 Cancelled (53,637 ) 518.17 Outstanding – August 27, 2016 1,759,408 428.72 6.39 $ 572,011 Exercisable 957,159 293.50 4.87 440,261 Expected to vest 722,024 590.04 8.20 117,997 Available for future grants 1,149,507

Accrued Expenses and Other (Tab

Accrued Expenses and Other (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits $ 180,012 $ 177,218 Property, sales and other taxes 95,293 86,824 Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion) 78,458 79,485 Capital lease obligations 44,834 40,528 Accrued interest 34,179 35,828 Accrued gift cards 24,129 22,358 Accrued sales and warranty returns 19,527 17,223 Other 75,193 72,097 $ 551,625 $ 531,561

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income from Continuing Operations	The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Domestic $ 1,737,727 $ 1,676,640 $ 1,550,203 International 174,987 125,972 112,511 $ 1,912,714 $ 1,802,612 $ 1,662,714
Provision for Income Tax Expense	The provision for income tax expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Current: Federal $ 534,621 $ 522,073 $ 516,983 State 39,223 41,921 54,481 International 52,844 42,406 36,204 626,688 606,400 607,668 Deferred: Federal 48,509 38,299 (762 ) State 9,453 941 (7,752 ) International (12,943 ) (3,269 ) (6,184 ) 45,019 35,971 (14,698 ) Income tax expense $ 671,707 $ 642,371 $ 592,970
Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes	A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes is as follows: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net 1.6 % 1.5 % 1.8 % Other (1.5 %) (0.9 %) (1.1 %) Effective tax rate 35.1 % 35.6 % 35.7 %
Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Deferred tax assets: Net operating loss and credit carryforwards $ 50,859 $ 49,088 Accrued benefits 93,212 85,266 Pension 13,397 21,104 Other 55,203 56,125 Total deferred tax assets 212,671 211,583 Less: Valuation allowances (13,338 ) (8,833 ) Net deferred tax asset 199,333 202,750 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (93,943 ) (68,920 ) Inventory (315,563 ) (294,242 ) Prepaid Expenses (27,395 ) (27,134 ) Other (10,077 ) (25,270 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (446,978 ) (415,566 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (247,645 ) $ (212,816 )
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Beginning balance $ 28,434 $ 33,128 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 7,172 5,707 Additions for tax positions of prior years 95 625 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (2,405 ) (1,268 ) Reductions due to settlements (858 ) (5,312 ) Reductions due to statute of limitations (4,712 ) (4,446 ) Ending balance $ 27,726 $ 28,434

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
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: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Other current assets $ 7,326 $ — $ — $ 7,326 Other long-term assets 65,350 25,675 — 91,025 $ 72,676 $ 25,675 $ — $ 98,351 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value Other current assets $ 8,790 $ — $ — $ 8,790 Other long-term assets 63,342 16,295 — 79,637 $ 72,132 $ 16,295 $ — $ 88,427

Marketable Securities (Tables)

Marketable Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities	The Company’s available-for-sale marketable securities consisted of the following: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Amortized Basis Gross Gross Fair Value Corporate securities $ 37,789 $ 198 $ (6 ) $ 37,981 Government bonds 33,497 24 (35 ) 33,486 Mortgage-backed securities 6,865 18 (29 ) 6,854 Asset-backed securities and other 20,015 26 (11 ) 20,030 $ 98,166 $ 266 $ (81 ) $ 98,351 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Amortized Basis Gross Gross Fair Corporate securities $ 34,859 $ 51 $ (40 ) $ 34,870 Government bonds 33,098 31 (7 ) 33,122 Mortgage-backed securities 9,287 17 (99 ) 9,205 Asset-backed securities and other 11,223 9 (2 ) 11,230 $ 88,467 $ 108 $ (148 ) $ 88,427

Accumulated Other Comprehensi35

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following: (in thousands) Pension Liability Foreign Net Derivatives Total Balance at August 30, 2014 $ (63,820 ) $ (57,836 ) $ 76 $ (7,323 ) $ (128,903 ) Other comprehensive (loss) before reclassifications (12,345 ) (113,652 ) (80 ) — (126,077 ) Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) 5,370 (2) — (22 ) (4) 114 (5) 5,462 Balance at August 29, 2015 (70,795 ) (171,488 ) (26 ) (7,209 ) (249,518 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (24,542 ) (39,524 ) 206 (2,687 ) (66,547 ) Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1) 6,447 (2) — (60 ) (4) 2,149 (5) 8,536 Balance at August 27, 2016 $ (88,890 ) $ (211,012 ) $ 120 $ (7,747 ) $ (307,529 ) (1) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to Accumulated other comprehensive loss. (2) Represents amortization of pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $4,059 in fiscal 2016 and $3,571 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note L – 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 on marketable securities, net of taxes of $33 in fiscal 2016 and $12 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note F – Marketable Securities” for further discussion. (5) Represents gains and losses on derivatives, net of taxes of $315 in fiscal 2016 and $68 in fiscal 2015, which is recorded in Interest expense, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments” for further discussion.

Financing (Tables)

Financing (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The Company’s debt consisted of the following: (in thousands) August 27, 2016 August 29, 5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% $ — $ 300,000 6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09% — 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 1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77% 250,000 — 4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% 500,000 500,000 2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62% 250,000 250,000 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 3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36% 400,000 400,000 3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28% 400,000 — Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.72% and 0.45% at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively 1,197,500 1,047,600 Total debt before discounts and debt issuance costs 4,947,500 4,647,600 Less: Discounts and debt issuance costs 23,381 22,724 Long-term debt $ 4,924,119 $ 4,624,876
Scheduled Maturities of Debt	Scheduled maturities of debt are as follows: (in thousands) Scheduled 2017 $ 1,597,500 2018 250,000 2019 250,000 2020 — 2021 750,000 Thereafter 2,100,000 Subtotal 4,947,500 Discount and debt issuance costs 23,381 Total Debt $ 4,924,119

Interest Expense (Tables)

Interest Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]
Net Interest Expense	Net interest expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Interest expense $ 150,961 $ 153,007 $ 170,400 Interest income (2,371 ) (1,605 ) (1,850 ) Capitalized interest (909 ) (963 ) (1,041 ) $ 147,681 $ 150,439 $ 167,509

Stock Repurchase Program (Table

Stock Repurchase Program (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Summarize Company's Share Repurchase Activity	The Company’s share repurchase activity consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Amount $ 1,452,462 $ 1,271,416 $ 1,099,212 Shares 1,903 2,010 2,232

Pension and Savings Plans (Tabl

Pension and Savings Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Weighted Average Asset Allocation for Pension Plan Assets	The fair values of investments by level and asset category and the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans at the measurement date are presented in the following table: August 27, 2016 Fair Value Asset Allocation Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands) Actual Target Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 U.S. equities $ 66,008 22.9 % 26.0 % $ — $ 66,008 $ — International equities 42,023 14.5 17.0 — 42,023 — Emerging equities 22,848 7.9 8.5 — 22,848 — High yield securities 21,445 7.4 8.5 — 21,445 — Alternative investments — — — — — — Fixed income securities 99,336 34.3 40.0 — 99,336 — Cash and cash equivalents 37,726 13.0 — — 37,726 — $ 289,386 100.0 % 100.0 % $ — $ 289,386 $ — August 29, 2015 Fair Value Asset Allocation Fair Value Hierarchy (in thousands) Actual Target Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 U.S. equities $ 60,286 25.3 % 25.8 % $ — $ 60,286 $ — International equities 38,725 16.2 17.2 — 38,725 — Emerging equities 16,393 6.9 8.5 — 16,393 — High yield securities 19,310 8.1 8.5 — 19,310 — Alternative investments 307 0.1 — — — 307 Fixed income securities 93,362 39.1 40.0 — 93,362 — Cash and cash equivalents 10,372 4.3 — — 10,372 — $ 238,755 100.0 % 100.0 % $ — $ 238,448 $ 307
Plan's Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in thousands) August 27, August 29, Change in Projected Benefit Obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 296,123 $ 300,966 Interest cost 11,272 12,338 Actuarial (gains) losses 39,842 (1,056 ) Benefits paid (18,726 ) (16,125 ) Benefit obligations at end of year $ 328,511 $ 296,123 Change in Plan Assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 238,755 $ 243,407 Actual return on plan assets 16,636 (5,604 ) Employer contributions 52,721 17,077 Benefits paid (18,726 ) (16,125 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 289,386 $ 238,755 Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position: Current liabilities $ (276 ) $ (253 ) Long-term liabilities (38,849 ) (57,115 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,125 ) $ (57,368 ) Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Net actuarial loss $ (145,948 ) $ (116,735 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (145,948 ) $ (116,735 ) Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year’s Net Periodic Benefit Cost: Net actuarial loss $ (13,874 ) $ (10,506 ) Amount recognized $ (13,874 ) $ (10,506 )
Net Periodic Benefit Expense	Net periodic benefit expense consisted of the following: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Interest cost $ 11,272 $ 12,338 $ 13,070 Expected return on plan assets (16,512 ) (16,281 ) (15,386 ) Recognized net actuarial losses 10,506 8,941 6,879 Net periodic benefit expense $ 5,266 $ 4,998 $ 4,563
Actuarial Assumptions Used in Determining Projected Benefit Obligation	The blended actuarial assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation include the following: Year Ended August 27, August 29, August 30, Discount rate to determine benefit obligation 3.72 % 4.50 % 4.28 % Discount rate to determine net interest cost 3.90 % 4.28 % 5.19 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 7.00 % 7.00 % 7.50 %
Benefit Payments are Expected to be Paid as Follows	Based on current assumptions about future events, benefit payments are expected to be paid as follows for each of the following fiscal years. Actual benefit payments may vary significantly from the following estimates: (in thousands) Benefit 2017 $ 12,066 2018 11,803 2019 12,546 2020 13,273 2021 13,889 2022 – 2026 76,204

Goodwill and Intangibles (Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
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 Net balance as of August 30, 2014 $ 302,645 $ 65,184 $ 367,829 Goodwill added through acquisition (1) 24,058 — 24,058 Goodwill adjustments — — — Net balance as of August 29, 2015 326,703 65,184 391,887 Goodwill added through acquisition — — — Goodwill adjustments — — — Net balance as of August 27, 2016 $ 326,703 $ 65,184 $ 391,887 (1) See “Note M – Acquisition” for discussion of the acquisition completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets	The carrying amounts of intangible assets are included in Other long-term assets as follows: August 27, 2016 (in thousands) Estimated Life Gross Accumulated Net Carrying Amortizing intangible assets: Technology 3-5 years $ 10,570 $ (7,988 ) $ 2,582 Noncompete agreements 5 years 1,300 (963 ) 337 Customer relationships 3-10 years 49,676 (18,514 ) 31,162 $ 61,546 $ (27,465 ) 34,081 Non-amortizing intangible asset: Trade names 26,900 Total intangible assets other than goodwill $ 60,981 August 29, 2015 (in thousands) Estimated Life Gross Accumulated Net Carrying Amortizing intangible assets: Technology 3-5 years $ 10,570 $ (5,757 ) $ 4,813 Noncompete agreements 5 years 1,300 (703 ) 597 Customer relationships 3-10 years 49,676 (12,256 ) 37,420 $ 61,546 $ (18,716 ) 42,830 Non-amortizing intangible asset: Trade names 26,900 Total intangible assets other than goodwill $ 69,730
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 August 27, 2016, is estimated as follows: (in thousands) Total 2017 $ 8,482 2018 6,855 2019 6,203 2020 6,203 2021 3,474 Thereafter 2,864 $ 34,081

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Capital Leases	Future minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital leases were as follows at the end of fiscal 2016: (in thousands) Operating Capital 2017 $ 274,341 $ 44,834 2018 266,301 42,978 2019 248,263 34,360 2020 225,276 21,333 2021 201,207 8,446 Thereafter 890,869 — Total minimum payments required $ 2,106,257 151,951 Less: Interest (4,666 ) Present value of minimum capital lease payments $ 147,285

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
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. The following table shows segment results for the following fiscal years: Year Ended (in thousands) August 27, August 29, August 30, Net Sales: Auto Parts Locations $ 10,261,112 $ 9,824,876 $ 9,132,169 Other 374,564 362,464 343,144 Total $ 10,635,676 $ 10,187,340 $ 9,475,313 Segment Profit: Auto Parts Locations $ 5,410,477 $ 5,132,624 $ 4,744,501 Other 198,259 194,407 190,406 Gross profit 5,608,736 5,327,031 4,934,907 Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses (3,548,341 ) (3,373,980 ) (3,104,684 ) Interest expense, net (147,681 ) (150,439 ) (167,509 ) Income before income taxes $ 1,912,714 $ 1,802,612 $ 1,662,714 Segment Assets: Auto Parts Locations $ 8,351,883 $ 7,883,720 $ 7,279,665 Other 247,904 218,629 217,498 Total $ 8,599,787 $ 8,102,349 $ 7,497,163 Capital Expenditures: Auto Parts Locations $ 470,631 $ 464,246 $ 423,951 Other 18,160 16,333 14,165 Total $ 488,791 $ 480,579 $ 438,116 Auto Parts Locations Sales by Product Grouping: Failure $ 4,913,423 $ 4,650,271 $ 4,274,528 Maintenance items 3,721,240 3,618,779 3,362,969 Discretionary 1,626,449 1,555,826 1,494,672 Auto Parts Locations net sales $ 10,261,112 $ 9,824,876 $ 9,132,169

Quarterly Summary (Tables)

Quarterly Summary (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Summary	Twelve Weeks Ended Sixteen Weeks Ended (in thousands, except per share data) November 21, February 13, May 7, 2016 August 27, (2) Net sales $ 2,386,043 $ 2,257,192 $ 2,593,672 $ 3,398,769 Gross profit 1,252,934 1,190,596 1,370,458 1,794,748 Operating profit 437,995 382,660 536,374 703,366 Income before income taxes 402,985 349,828 502,323 657,577 Net income 258,112 228,613 327,515 426,768 Basic earnings per share 8.46 7.58 10.99 14.58 Diluted earnings per share 8.29 7.43 10.77 14.30 Twelve Weeks Ended Sixteen Weeks Ended (in thousands, except per share data) November 22, February 14, May 9, 2015 August 29, (2) Net sales $ 2,260,264 $ 2,143,651 $ 2,493,021 $ 3,290,404 Gross profit 1,176,661 1,120,033 1,302,789 1,727,548 Operating profit 408,562 361,269 513,949 669,272 Income before income taxes 371,502 326,733 482,170 622,207 Net income 238,310 211,723 309,071 401,137 Basic earnings per share 7.42 6.64 9.77 13.02 Diluted earnings per share 7.27 6.51 9.57 12.75 (1) The sum of quarterly amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported due to rounding. In addition, the earnings per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter while the full year is based on the annual weighted average shares outstanding. (2) The fourth quarter for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are based on a 16-week period. All other quarters presented are based on a 12-week period.

Significant Accounting Polici44

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)StoreProductVendorBranchesshares	Aug. 29, 2015USD ($)shares	Aug. 30, 2014USD ($)shares	Aug. 31, 2013USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of stores with commercial sales program | Store	4,390
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 189,734,000	$ 175,309,000	$ 124,485,000	$ 142,191,000
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	7,400,000	5,900,000
Unrecorded adjustment for LIFO value in excess of replacement value	364,100,000	332,600,000
Impairment loss of long lived assets	0
Deferred rent	$ 121,700,000	113,700,000
Measure of income tax benefit for uncertain income tax positions	More than 50%
Advertising expense, net of vendor promotional funds	$ 98,300,000	98,000,000	84,700,000
Vendor promotional funds, which reduced advertising expense	$ 21,400,000	$ 22,000,000	$ 28,400,000
Limited warranty period, minimum period (Days)	30 days
Products accounted for total revenues	One class of similar products accounted for approximately 11 percent of the Company's total revenues,No other class of similar products accounted for 10 percent or more of total revenues
Products accounted for total purchases	One vendor supplied approximately 10 percent of the Company's total purchases.No other individual vendor provided more than 10 percent of total purchases.
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	10 years
Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of operating branches | Branches	26
Stock Options [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of earnings per share | shares	19,880	1,640	1,000
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Maturity period of investments	90 days or less
Settlement term of credit and debit card transaction	Less than five days
Credit and debit card receivables included within cash and cash equivalents	$ 46,800,000	$ 45,100,000
Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of class of similar products accounted for approximately 11% of the company's total revenues | Product	1
Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	11.00%
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of vendors accounted for approximately 10% of the company's total purchases | Vendor	1
Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Cost of Goods, Total [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	10.00%
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	50 years
Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Stores in the United States Including Puerto Rico [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of stores | Store	5,297
Brazil [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of stores | Store	8
Mexico [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of stores | Store	483
Non-US [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,100,000	$ 64,900,000

Share-Based Payments - Addition

Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 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	$ 39,825,000	$ 40,995,000	$ 39,390,000
Share-based compensation expense for unvested awards not yet recognized in earnings	$ 41,300,000
Weighted average period recognition of share-based compensation expense for unvested awards	2 years 2 months 12 days
Term of options from grant date	10 years or 10 years and one day
Exercise period of vested options after death	1 year
Restricted stock units granted under Director Compensation Program, description	Under the 2011 Program, restricted stock units are granted the first day of each calendar quarter. The number of restricted stock units granted each quarter is determined by dividing one-fourth of the amount of the annual retainer by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as of the grant date
Outstanding options	1,759,408	1,769,429
Common stock reserved for future issuance	192,505
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted	$ 156.20	$ 106.27	$ 96.97
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 178,000,000	$ 154,800,000	$ 70,600,000
Total fair value of options vested	32,200,000	30,600,000	27,700,000
Expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 1,700,000
Percent of market price at which employees permitted to purchase through payroll deductions	85.00%
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee	$ 15,000
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee, Percent of Compensation	10.00%
Shares sold to employees under employee stock purchase plan	12,662	14,222	15,355
Shares purchased from employees at fair value	12,460	15,594	16,013
2003 Comp Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum limit of the fees a Director can elect to receive in stock	100.00%
Accrued Director fees	$ 13,600,000	$ 13,100,000
Accrued Director fees in shares	17,990	17,990
Additional shares of stock or units	0
2003 Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares for which each new non-employee director receives an option to purchase	3,000
2003 Option Plan [Member] | Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options	24,000	32,000
Common stock reserved for future issuance	0
Share based compensation grant date vesting period	3 years
Restated Executive Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for future issuance	241,753
Maximum permitted annual purchases per employee, Percent of Compensation	25.00%
Shares sold to employees under employee stock purchase plan	1,943	2,229	3,028
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise period of vested options after service period	30 days
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise period of vested options after service period	90 days

Share-Based Payments - Weighted

Share-Based Payments - Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted and Related Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected price volatility	18.00%	20.00%	23.00%
Risk-free interest rates	1.50%	1.40%	1.00%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)	5 years 8 months 12 days	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 2 months 12 days
Forfeiture rate	10.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Share-Based Payments - Stock Op

Share-Based Payments - Stock Option Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Outstanding, Beginning balance, Number of Shares	1,769,429
Granted, Number of Shares	378,415
Exercised, Number of Shares	(334,799)
Cancelled, Number of Shares	(53,637)
Outstanding, Ending balance, Number of Shares	1,759,408
Exercisable, Number of Shares	957,159
Expected to vest, Number of Shares	722,024
Available for future grants, Number of Shares	1,149,507
Outstanding, Beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 327.90
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	745.81
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	239.94
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	518.17
Outstanding, Ending balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	428.72
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	293.50
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 590.04
Outstanding , Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 4 months 21 days
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 10 months 13 days
Expected to vest, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 2 months 12 days
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 572,011
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	440,261
Expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 117,997

Accrued Expenses and Other - Ac

Accrued Expenses and Other - Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued compensation, related payroll taxes and benefits	$ 180,012	$ 177,218
Property, sales and other taxes	95,293	86,824
Medical and casualty insurance claims (current portion)	78,458	79,485
Capital lease obligations	44,834	40,528
Accrued interest	34,179	35,828
Accrued gift cards	24,129	22,358
Accrued sales and warranty returns	19,527	17,223
Other	75,193	72,097
Total	$ 551,625	$ 531,561

Accrued Expenses and Other - Ad

Accrued Expenses and Other - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)
Workers' Compensation and Property [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	$ 1,500,000
Employee Health [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	700,000
General and Products Liability [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	1,000,000
Vehicles [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum limits per claim for self-insured plan, per annum	$ 2,000,000

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income from Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 07, 2016	Feb. 13, 2016	Nov. 21, 2015	May 09, 2015	Feb. 14, 2015	Nov. 22, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Domestic									$ 1,737,727	$ 1,676,640	$ 1,550,203
International									174,987	125,972	112,511
Income before income taxes	$ 502,323	$ 349,828	$ 402,985	$ 482,170	$ 326,733	$ 371,502	$ 657,577	$ 622,207	$ 1,912,714	$ 1,802,612	$ 1,662,714

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Current:
Federal	$ 534,621	$ 522,073	$ 516,983
State	39,223	41,921	54,481
International	52,844	42,406	36,204
Total	626,688	606,400	607,668
Deferred:
Federal	48,509	38,299	(762)
State	9,453	941	(7,752)
International	(12,943)	(3,269)	(6,184)
Total	45,019	35,971	(14,698)
Income tax expense	$ 671,707	$ 642,371	$ 592,970

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net	1.60%	1.50%	1.80%
Other	(1.50%)	(0.90%)	(1.10%)
Effective tax rate	35.10%	35.60%	35.70%

Income Taxes - Reconciliation53

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal tax at statutory U.S. income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%

Income Taxes - Significant Comp

Income Taxes - Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards	$ 50,859	$ 49,088
Accrued benefits	93,212	85,266
Pension	13,397	21,104
Other	55,203	56,125
Total deferred tax assets	212,671	211,583
Less: Valuation allowances	(13,338)	(8,833)
Net deferred tax asset	199,333	202,750
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(93,943)	(68,920)
Inventory	(315,563)	(294,242)
Prepaid Expenses	(27,395)	(27,134)
Other	(10,077)	(25,270)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(446,978)	(415,566)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (247,645)	$ (212,816)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred taxes are not provided for temporary differences	$ 572,000	$ 431,900
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	35,000	12,000
Deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryforwards	25,200	19,500
Future taxable income	$ 122,000	113,600
Expiration date of NOLs start year	2,017
Expiration date of NOLs end year	2,035
Deferred tax assets for income tax credit carryforwards	$ 25,700	29,600
Expiration date of tax credit carryforwards start year	2,023
Expiration date of tax credit carryforwards end year	2,026
Operating loss carryforwards expiration period description	Fiscal 2017 through 2035
Other tax credit carryforwards expiration period description	Fiscal 2023 through 2026
Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets	$ 13,338	8,833
Unrecognized tax benefits , if recognized would reduce effective tax rate, amount	15,500	16,800
Accrued for payment of interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits	2,800	$ 2,900
Amount of unrecognized tax benefits that could be reduced over next twelve months	$ 3,900

Income Taxes - Reconciliation56

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 28,434	$ 33,128
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	7,172	5,707
Additions for tax positions of prior years	95	625
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(2,405)	(1,268)
Reductions due to settlements	(858)	(5,312)
Reductions due to statute of limitations	(4,712)	(4,446)
Ending balance	$ 27,726	$ 28,434

Fair Value Measurements - Compa

Fair Value Measurements - Company's Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 7,326	$ 8,790
Other long-term assets	91,025	79,637
Total	98,351	88,427
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other current assets	7,326	8,790
Other long-term assets	65,350	63,342
Total	72,676	72,132
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other long-term assets	25,675	16,295
Total	$ 25,675	$ 16,295

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities	$ 7,326	$ 8,790
Long-term marketable securities	$ 91,025	$ 79,637

Marketable Securities - Availab

Marketable Securities - Available-for-Sale Marketable Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 98,166	$ 88,467
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	266	108
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(81)	(148)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	98,351	88,427
Corporate Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	37,789	34,859
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	198	51
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(6)	(40)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	37,981	34,870
Government Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	33,497	33,098
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	24	31
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(35)	(7)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	33,486	33,122
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,865	9,287
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18	17
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(29)	(99)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	6,854	9,205
Asset-Backed Securities and Other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	20,015	11,223
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	26	9
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(11)	(2)
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Fair Value	$ 20,030	$ 11,230

Marketable Securities - Additio

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)Securities	Aug. 29, 2015USD ($)
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 | Securities	49
Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	$ 81	$ 148
Marketable securities transferred	$ 61,800	$ 45,600

Accumulated Other Comprehensi61

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (249,518)	$ (128,903)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(66,547)	(126,077)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	8,536	5,462
Ending Balance	(307,529)	(249,518)
Pension Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(70,795)	(63,820)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(24,542)	(12,345)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	6,447	5,370
Ending Balance	(88,890)	(70,795)
Foreign Currency [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(171,488)	(57,836)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(39,524)	(113,652)
Ending Balance	(211,012)	(171,488)
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(26)	76
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	206	(80)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(60)	(22)
Ending Balance	120	(26)
Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(7,209)	(7,323)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(2,687)
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,149	114
Ending Balance	$ (7,747)	$ (7,209)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi62

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	$ 11,394	$ 4,638	$ 8,287
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, taxes	79	55	54
Net derivative activities, taxes	315	68	$ 87
Pension Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Pension liability adjustments, taxes	4,059	3,571
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, taxes	33	12
Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net derivative activities, taxes	$ 315	$ 68

Accumulated Other Comprehensi63

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Pension actuarial loss	$ (66,547)	$ (126,077)
Pension Liability [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Pension actuarial loss	$ (24,542)	$ (12,345)

Derivative Financial Instrume64

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 12,300,000
Net derivative losses amortized into Interest expense	1,800,000	$ 182,000
Net derivative loss expected to be reclassified over next 12 months	$ 2,200,000

Financing - Schedule of Debt (D

Financing - Schedule of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper	$ 1,197,500	$ 1,047,600
Total debt before discounts and debt issuance costs	4,947,500	4,647,600
Total debt before discounts and debt issuance costs	4,947,500	4,647,600
Less: Discounts and debt issuance costs	23,381	22,724
Long-term debt	4,924,119	4,624,876
5.500% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes		300,000
6.950% Senior Notes due June 2016, effective interest rate of 7.09% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes		200,000
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate of 1.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	400,000	400,000
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	250,000	250,000
1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	250,000
4.000% Senior Notes due November 2020, effective interest rate of 4.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	250,000	250,000
3.700% Senior Notes due April 2022, effective interest rate of 3.85% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
2.875% Senior Notes due January 2023, effective interest rate of 3.21% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	300,000	300,000
3.125% Senior Notes due July 2023, effective interest rate of 3.26% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	400,000	$ 400,000
3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$ 400,000

Financing - Schedule of Debt (P

Financing - Schedule of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Apr. 21, 2016	Apr. 29, 2015	Jan. 14, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 0.72% and 0.45% at August 27, 2016 and August 29, 2015, respectively [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate of commercial paper				0.72%	0.45%
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%
Effective interest rate				4.86%	4.86%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				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%
Effective interest rate				7.09%	7.09%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2016-06	2016-06
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate of 1.43% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage			1.30%	1.30%	1.30%
Effective interest rate				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				7.125%	7.125%
Effective interest rate				7.28%	7.28%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2018-08	2018-08
1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	1.625%			1.625%	1.625%
Effective interest rate				1.77%	1.77%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2019-04			2019-04	2019-04
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%
Effective interest rate				4.43%	4.43%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2020-11	2020-11
2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage		2.50%		2.50%	2.50%
Effective interest rate				2.62%	2.62%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year		2021-04		2021-04	2021-04
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%
Effective interest rate				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				2.875%	2.875%
Effective interest rate				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				3.125%	3.125%
Effective interest rate				3.26%	3.26%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2023-07	2023-07
3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage		3.25%		3.25%	3.25%
Effective interest rate				3.36%	3.36%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year		2025-04		2025-04	2025-04
3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	3.125%			3.125%	3.125%
Effective interest rate				3.28%	3.28%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2026-04			2026-04	2026-04

Financing - Additional Informat

Financing - Additional Information (Detail)	Apr. 21, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 14, 2014USD ($)	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 29, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2014USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commercial paper				$ 1,197,500,000	$ 1,047,600,000
Remaining borrowing capacity under revolving credit facility				1,708,000,000
Amount available under credit facility				$ 1,750,000,000
Line of credit facility covenant terms				The revolving credit facility agreements require that the Company's consolidated interest coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter shall be no less than 2.5:1. This ratio is defined as the ratio of (i) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes and rents to (ii) consolidated interest expense plus consolidated rents. The Company's consolidated interest coverage ratio as of August 27, 2016 was 5.5:1.
Minimum debt covenant interest coverage ratio to be maintained quarterly				2.5
Debt covenant interest coverage ratio				5.5
Letter of credit facility extended expiration date				2019-06
Proceeds from issuance of debt				$ 650,000,000	650,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Repayment with commercial paper				500,000,000	500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Fair value of the Company's debt				5,117,000,000	4,696,000,000
Excess (shortfall) of fair value of debt over (from) carrying value				$ 192,700,000	70,700,000
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Term Loan Maturity Period				1 year
Other Letters Of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowings, outstanding				$ 27,900,000
1.300% Senior Notes due January 2017, effective interest rate of 1.43% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage			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
3.125% Senior Notes due April 2026, effective interest rate of 3.28% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage	3.125%			3.125%	3.125%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2026-04			2026-04	2026-04
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 400,000,000
1.625% Senior Notes due April 2019, effective interest rate of 1.77% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage	1.625%			1.625%	1.625%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year	2019-04			2019-04	2019-04
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 250,000,000
3.250% Senior Notes due April 2025, effective interest rate 3.36% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage		3.25%		3.25%	3.25%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year		2025-04		2025-04	2025-04
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 400,000,000
2.500% Senior Notes due April 2021, effective interest rate of 2.62% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage		2.50%		2.50%	2.50%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year		2021-04		2021-04	2021-04
Proceeds from issuance of debt		$ 250,000,000
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
Repayment with commercial paper			$ 500,000,000
5.750% Senior Notes due January 2015, effective interest rate of 5.89% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage				5.75%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2015-01
Repayment with commercial paper				$ 500,000,000
Debt issuance date				2009-07
7.125% Senior Notes due August 2018, effective interest rate of 7.28% [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term debt				$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Stated interest rate percentage				7.125%	7.125%
Debt instrument maturity, month and year				2018-08	2018-08
Debt issuance date				2008-08
Multi Year Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Amount available under credit facility									$ 1,250,000,000
Extended expiration of credit facility				2 years
Maximum amount available under credit facility									1,500,000,000
Borrowings, outstanding				$ 0
Letters of credit, outstanding				$ 3,300,000
Multi Year Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Capital Leases [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum 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				2019-12
Letters of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount available under credit facility							$ 75,000,000	$ 100,000,000	200,000,000
Borrowings, outstanding				$ 74,900,000
364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum 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				Dec. 16, 2016
Borrowings, outstanding				$ 0
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 extension or modification period prior to expiration				15 days

Financing - Scheduled Maturitie

Financing - Scheduled Maturities of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 1,597,500
2,018	250,000
2,019	250,000
2,020	0
2,021	750,000
Thereafter	2,100,000
Subtotal	4,947,500
Discount and debt issuance costs	23,381	$ 22,724
Total Debt	$ 4,924,119	$ 4,624,876

Interest Expense - Net Interest

Interest Expense - Net Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 150,961	$ 153,007	$ 170,400
Interest income	(2,371)	(1,605)	(1,850)
Capitalized interest	(909)	(963)	(1,041)
Net Interest Expense	$ 147,681	$ 150,439	$ 167,509

Stock Repurchase Program - Addi

Stock Repurchase Program - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 22, 2016	Oct. 24, 2016	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchased cumulative, shares			1,903,000	2,010,000	2,232,000	140,800,000
Purchase of treasury stock			$ 1,452,462,000	$ 1,271,416,000	$ 1,099,212,000	$ 16,755,000,000
Stock repurchase authorized amended value			$ 17,150,000,000	$ 16,400,000,000		$ 17,150,000,000
Share of treasury stock retired			2,100,000	2,100,000
Repurchased shares of common stock at an aggregate cost			$ 1,452,462,000	$ 1,271,416,000	1,099,212,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchased cumulative, shares		390,473
Stock repurchase authorized amended value	$ 17,900,000,000
Increase in authorization of stock repurchase, value	$ 750,000,000
Repurchased shares of common stock at an aggregate cost		$ 297,600,000
Remaining value authorized for share repurchases		$ 847,700,000
Retained Deficit [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Retirement of treasury shares			(1,424,455,000)	(1,049,856,000)	(1,219,931,000)
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Retirement of treasury shares			$ (67,023,000)	$ (57,403,000)	$ (73,995,000)

Stock Repurchase Program - Summ

Stock Repurchase Program - Summarize Company's Share Repurchase Activity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			224 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Amount	$ 1,452,462	$ 1,271,416	$ 1,099,212
Shares	1,903	2,010	2,232	140,800

Pension and Savings Plans - Add

Pension and Savings Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Consecutive years of highest compensation used to determine defined benefit pension plan benefits	5 years
Cash contribution in asset allocation	$ 48,000,000	$ 11,500,000
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.00%	7.00%	7.50%
Plan benefit service cost	$ 0
Change to net periodic benefit cost	1,800,000
Annual contributions by the Company to pension plans	52,721,000	$ 17,077,000	$ 16,900,000
Expected contributions to the plans by the Company in next 12 months	$ 17,800,000
Percentage of company matching retirement savings plan contributions that vest immediately	100.00%
Percentage of savings option up to qualified earnings	25.00%
Annual contribution by employer towards 401(k) Plan	$ 19,700,000	$ 17,700,000	$ 15,600,000

Pension and Savings Plans - Wei

Pension and Savings Plans - Weighted Average Asset Allocation for Pension Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 289,386	$ 238,755	$ 243,407
Asset allocation actual	100.00%	100.00%
Asset allocation target	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 66,008	$ 60,286
Asset allocation actual	22.90%	25.30%
Asset allocation target	26.00%	25.80%
International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 42,023	$ 38,725
Asset allocation actual	14.50%	16.20%
Asset allocation target	17.00%	17.20%
Emerging Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 22,848	$ 16,393
Asset allocation actual	7.90%	6.90%
Asset allocation target	8.50%	8.50%
High Yield Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 21,445	$ 19,310
Asset allocation actual	7.40%	8.10%
Asset allocation target	8.50%	8.50%
Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value		$ 307
Asset allocation actual		0.10%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 99,336	$ 93,362
Asset allocation actual	34.30%	39.10%
Asset allocation target	40.00%	40.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 37,726	$ 10,372
Asset allocation actual	13.00%	4.30%
Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 289,386	$ 238,448
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	66,008	60,286
Level 2 [Member] | International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	42,023	38,725
Level 2 [Member] | Emerging Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	22,848	16,393
Level 2 [Member] | High Yield Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	21,445	19,310
Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	99,336	93,362
Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value	$ 37,726	10,372
Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value		307
Level 3 [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Asset allocation fair value		$ 307

Pension and Savings Plans - Pla

Pension and Savings Plans - Plan's Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 296,123	$ 300,966
Interest cost	11,272	12,338	$ 13,070
Actuarial (gains) losses	39,842	(1,056)
Benefits paid	(18,726)	(16,125)
Benefit obligations at end of year	328,511	296,123	300,966
Change in Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	238,755	243,407
Actual return on plan assets	16,636	(5,604)
Employer contributions	52,721	17,077	16,900
Benefits paid	(18,726)	(16,125)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	289,386	238,755	$ 243,407
Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position:
Current liabilities	(276)	(253)
Long-term liabilities	(38,849)	(57,115)
Net amount recognized	(39,125)	(57,368)
Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	(145,948)	(116,735)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(145,948)	(116,735)
Amount Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and not yet reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and expected to be amortized in next year's Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net actuarial loss	(13,874)	(10,506)
Amount recognized	$ (13,874)	$ (10,506)

Pension and Savings Plans - Net

Pension and Savings Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest cost	$ 11,272	$ 12,338	$ 13,070
Expected return on plan assets	(16,512)	(16,281)	(15,386)
Recognized net actuarial losses	10,506	8,941	6,879
Net periodic benefit expense	$ 5,266	$ 4,998	$ 4,563

Pension and Savings Plans - Act

Pension and Savings Plans - Actuarial Assumptions Used in Determining Projected Benefit Obligation (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Discount rate to determine benefit obligation	3.72%	4.50%	4.28%
Discount rate to determine net interest cost	3.90%	4.28%	5.19%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.00%	7.00%	7.50%

Pension and Savings Plans - Ben

Pension and Savings Plans - Benefit Payments are Expected to be Paid as Follows (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 12,066
2,018	11,803
2,019	12,546
2,020	13,273
2,021	13,889
2022 - 2026	$ 76,204

Acquisition - Addition Informat

Acquisition - Addition Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 27, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 391,887	$ 391,887	$ 367,829
Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of outstanding stock	$ 75,700
Goodwill	24,100
Purchase price allocation, intangible assets	$ 3,600

Goodwill and Intangibles - Sche

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 391,887	$ 367,829
Goodwill added through acquisition		24,058
Goodwill adjustments	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	391,887	391,887
Auto Parts Locations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	326,703	302,645
Goodwill added through acquisition		24,058
Goodwill adjustments	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	326,703	326,703
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	65,184	65,184
Goodwill adjustments	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 65,184	$ 65,184

Goodwill and Intangibles - Addi

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 0			$ 0
Accumulated goodwill impairment	18,300,000	$ 18,300,000	$ 18,300,000	18,300,000
Purchase of intangibles			10,000,000	10,000,000	$ 11,112,000
Amortization expense of intangible assets			8,700,000	8,700,000
Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increased intangible assets related to acquisition				3,600,000
Trade Names [Member] | AutoAnything's and Interamerican Motor Corporation [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge	0	0
Accumulated impairment	$ 4,100,000	$ 4,100,000	4,100,000	4,100,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of intangibles			$ 10,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Customer Relationship and Technology Assets [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Purchase of intangibles					$ 30,200,000

Goodwill and Intangibles - Sc81

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Carrying Amounts of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 61,546	$ 61,546
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	(27,465)	(18,716)
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	34,081	42,830
Total intangible assets other than goodwill, Net Carrying Amount	$ 60,981	69,730
Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Technology [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 10,570	10,570
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	(7,988)	(5,757)
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	$ 2,582	$ 4,813
Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,300	$ 1,300
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	(963)	(703)
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	337	597
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	49,676	49,676
Finite Lived, Accumulated Amortization	(18,514)	(12,256)
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	$ 31,162	$ 37,420
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	10 years	10 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangible asset - Trade name, Net Carrying Amount	$ 26,900	$ 26,900

Goodwill and Intangibles - Sc82

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Future Amortization Expense for Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 8,482
2,018	6,855
2,019	6,203
2,020	6,203
2,021	3,474
Thereafter	2,864
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	$ 34,081	$ 42,830

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Leases [Line Items]
Rental expense	$ 280,500	$ 269,500	$ 253,800
Deferred rent	121,700	113,700
Capital lease assets	148,500	132,300
Capital lease, accumulated amortization	59,500	63,700
Capital lease obligations	147,300	128,200
Current portion of capital lease obligations	44,834	$ 40,528
Remaining aggregate rental obligation	$ 2,106,257
Sublease in Connection with Sale of TruckPro Business [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Initial term of subleased properties in connection with sale of TruckPro business	Not less than 20 years
Remaining aggregate rental obligation	$ 10,600

Leases - Future Minimum Annual

Leases - Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases and Capital Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2,017	$ 274,341
2,018	266,301
2,019	248,263
2,020	225,276
2,021	201,207
Thereafter	890,869
Total minimum payments required	2,106,257
2,017	44,834
2,018	42,978
2,019	34,360
2,020	21,333
2,021	8,446
Thereafter	0
Total minimum payments required	151,951
Less: Interest	(4,666)
Present value of minimum capital lease payments	$ 147,285

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commitment for construction	$ 106.6
Surety bonds	$ 33.4
The period of time before expiration of standby letters of credit and surety bonds	Less than one year
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Borrowings, outstanding	$ 106.1

Segment Reporting - Additional

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 27, 2016ItemLocation
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 | Location	5,814

Segment Reporting - Segment Res

Segment Reporting - Segment Results (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 07, 2016	Feb. 13, 2016	Nov. 21, 2015	May 09, 2015	Feb. 14, 2015	Nov. 22, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,593,672	$ 2,257,192	$ 2,386,043	$ 2,493,021	$ 2,143,651	$ 2,260,264	$ 3,398,769	$ 3,290,404	$ 10,635,676	$ 10,187,340	$ 9,475,313
Gross profit	1,370,458	1,190,596	1,252,934	1,302,789	1,120,033	1,176,661	1,794,748	1,727,548	5,608,736	5,327,031	4,934,907
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses									(3,548,341)	(3,373,980)	(3,104,684)
Assets							8,599,787	8,102,349	8,599,787	8,102,349	7,497,163
Interest expense, net									(147,681)	(150,439)	(167,509)
Capital Expenditures									488,791	480,579	438,116
Income before income taxes	$ 502,323	$ 349,828	$ 402,985	$ 482,170	$ 326,733	$ 371,502	657,577	622,207	1,912,714	1,802,612	1,662,714
Auto Parts Locations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									10,261,112	9,824,876	9,132,169
Gross profit									5,410,477	5,132,624	4,744,501
Assets							8,351,883	7,883,720	8,351,883	7,883,720	7,279,665
Capital Expenditures									470,631	464,246	423,951
Auto Parts Locations [Member] | Failure [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									4,913,423	4,650,271	4,274,528
Auto Parts Locations [Member] | Maintenance Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									3,721,240	3,618,779	3,362,969
Auto Parts Locations [Member] | Discretionary [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,626,449	1,555,826	1,494,672
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									374,564	362,464	343,144
Gross profit									198,259	194,407	190,406
Assets							$ 247,904	$ 218,629	247,904	218,629	217,498
Capital Expenditures									$ 18,160	$ 16,333	$ 14,165

Quarterly Summary - Quarterly S

Quarterly Summary - Quarterly Summary (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 07, 2016	Feb. 13, 2016	Nov. 21, 2015	May 09, 2015	Feb. 14, 2015	Nov. 22, 2014	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 27, 2016	Aug. 29, 2015	Aug. 30, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,593,672	$ 2,257,192	$ 2,386,043	$ 2,493,021	$ 2,143,651	$ 2,260,264	$ 3,398,769	$ 3,290,404	$ 10,635,676	$ 10,187,340	$ 9,475,313
Gross profit	1,370,458	1,190,596	1,252,934	1,302,789	1,120,033	1,176,661	1,794,748	1,727,548	5,608,736	5,327,031	4,934,907
Operating profit	536,374	382,660	437,995	513,949	361,269	408,562	703,366	669,272	2,060,395	1,953,051	1,830,223
Income before income taxes	502,323	349,828	402,985	482,170	326,733	371,502	657,577	622,207	1,912,714	1,802,612	1,662,714
Net income	$ 327,515	$ 228,613	$ 258,112	$ 309,071	$ 211,723	$ 238,310	$ 426,768	$ 401,137	$ 1,241,007	$ 1,160,241	$ 1,069,744
Basic earnings per share	$ 10.99	$ 7.58	$ 8.46	$ 9.77	$ 6.64	$ 7.42	$ 14.58	$ 13.02	$ 41.52	$ 36.76	$ 32.16
Diluted earnings per share	$ 10.77	$ 7.43	$ 8.29	$ 9.57	$ 6.51	$ 7.27	$ 14.30	$ 12.75	$ 40.70	$ 36.03	$ 31.57