XML 84 R69.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
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)