XML 65 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS [Abstract] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ 26,690 | $ 22,288 |
Provision for uncollectible accounts | 16,376 | 16,216 | $ 10,181
Write-off of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries | (16,597) | (11,248) |
Business acquisitions, foreign currency and other | 2,798 | (566) |
Balance at end of period | $ 29,267 | $ 26,690 | $ 22,288

X
- Definition ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gww_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | gww_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Pre tax increase(decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts that results from (1) the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency of the reporting entity for the period being reported (2) business acquisitions in the given period and (3) other. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gww_Allowancefordoubtfulaccountsacquisitionsforeigncurrencyother
Namespace Prefix: | gww_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=d3e5074-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of direct write-downs of accounts receivable charged against the allowance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 954 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68075217&loc=SL9156395-115594 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expense related to write-down of receivables to the amount expected to be collected. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and notes receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913815&loc=SL49130534-203044 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 606 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913847&loc=SL49130543-203045 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration