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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSSES) (AOCE) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ 1,905,768 |  |
Ending balance | 1,827,733 | $ 1,905,768 |
Foreign Currency Translation |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (315,145) | (276,416) | $ (122,320)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 75,193 | (38,729) | (154,096)
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 17,518 | 0 | 0
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | 0 | 0 | 0
Net current period activity | 92,711 | (38,729) | (154,096)
Ending balance | (222,434) | (315,145) | (276,416)
Other |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | 0 | (885) | (2,185)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 0 | 885 | 1,300
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 0 | 0 | 0
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes |  |  | 0
Net current period activity | 0 | 885 | 1,300
Ending balance | 0 | 0 | (885)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (294,906) | (244,609) | (119,659)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 161,718 | (46,263) | (121,704)
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 7,511 | (6,559) | (5,289)
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | (27,932) | 2,525 | 2,043
Net current period activity | 141,297 | (50,297) | (124,950)
Ending balance | (153,609) | (294,906) | (244,609)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (22,612) | (23,518) | (22,986)
Ending balance | (18,935) | (22,612) | (23,518)
Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 3,677 | 906 | (532)
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 0 | 0 | 0
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | 0 | 0 | 0
Net current period activity | 3,677 | 906 | (532)
AOCE Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (272,294) | (221,091) | (96,673)
Net current period activity | 137,620 | (51,203) | (124,418)
Ending balance | (134,674) | (272,294) | (221,091)
AOCE Attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (272,294) | (221,091) | (96,673)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 158,041 | (47,169) | (121,172)
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 7,511 | (6,559) | (5,289)
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | (27,932) | 2,525 | 2,043
Net current period activity | 137,620 | (51,203) | (124,418)
Ending balance | (134,674) | (272,294) | (221,091)
Defined Postretirement Benefit Plan | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | 25,297 | 35,353 | 8,148
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 86,069 | (6,022) | 30,451
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | (10,007) | (6,559) | (5,289)
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | (27,932) | 2,525 | 2,043
Net current period activity | 48,130 | (10,056) | 27,205
Ending balance | 73,427 | 25,297 | 35,353
Other Employment-related Benefit Plans | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] |  |  |
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Beginning balance | (5,058) | (2,661) | (3,302)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax | 456 | (2,397) | 641
Amounts reclassified to Warehousing, marketing and administrative expenses | 0 | 0 | 0
Amounts reclassified to Income Taxes | 0 | 0 | 0
Net current period activity | 456 | (2,397) | 641
Ending balance | $ (4,602) | $ (5,058) | $ (2,661)

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