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BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a broad line, business-to-business distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and services with operations primarily in North America, Japan and Europe. In this report, the words “Company” or “Grainger” mean W.W. Grainger, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context makes it clear that the reference is only to W.W. Grainger, Inc. itself and not its subsidiaries. Consistent with the Company's strategic focus on broad line MRO distribution in key markets, Grainger divested the Fabory business in Europe (Fabory) on June 30, 2020 and the China business (China) on August 21, 2020. Accordingly, the Company's condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings and cash flows and related notes include Fabory and China results through the respective dates of divestiture. The proceeds from these divestitures will be used to fund general corporate needs. During the second and third quarters of 2020, Grainger recognized a net loss of approximately $109 million and gain of $5 million (presented within Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A)) as a result of the Fabory and China divestitures, respectively, which included net accumulated foreign currency translation losses of $45 million, that were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses) (AOCE) to SG&A. The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Financial Statements) and the related notes are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and associated notes for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 20, 2020 (the 2019 Form 10-K). The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S.) for complete financial statements. The unaudited financial information reflects all adjustments (primarily consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the statements contained in this report.