XML 45 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.4.0.3

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summary of Segment Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	$ 2,506,538	$ 2,439,661
Total consolidated operating earnings	317,092	351,247
Total assets	5,964,839		$ 5,857,755
United States [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	1,883,768	1,908,264
Total assets	2,244,942		2,191,045
Canada [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	178,735	234,494
Total assets	335,980		317,504
Other Businesses [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	444,035	296,903
Total assets	535,566		507,116
Segment Balances Before Intersegment Eliminations and Consolidation Reconciling Items [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	2,590,371	2,503,785
Total consolidated operating earnings	341,293	385,002
Total assets	3,116,488		$ 3,015,665
Segment Balances Before Intersegment Eliminations and Consolidation Reconciling Items [Member] | United States [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	1,966,267	1,971,455
Total consolidated operating earnings	331,857	366,089
Segment Balances Before Intersegment Eliminations and Consolidation Reconciling Items [Member] | Canada [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	178,771	234,530
Total consolidated operating earnings	(12,347)	9,387
Segment Balances Before Intersegment Eliminations and Consolidation Reconciling Items [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	445,333	297,800
Total consolidated operating earnings	21,783	9,526
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	(83,833)	(64,124)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | United States [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	(82,499)	(63,191)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Canada [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	(36)	(36)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]
Summarized Information
Net sales to external customers	$ (1,298)	$ (897)

X

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=country_CA
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=gww_OtherBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: