EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share under two-class method

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method (in thousands of dollars, except for share and per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Net earnings attributable to W.W. Grainger, Inc. as reported	$	205,915		$	217,660		$	422,568		$	429,498
Distributed earnings available to participating securities	(727		)	(826		)	(1,562		)	(1,717		)
Undistributed earnings available to participating securities	(1,666		)	(2,265		)	(3,765		)	(5,006		)
Numerator for basic earnings per share – Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	203,522			214,569			417,241			422,775
Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	1,666			2,265			3,765			5,006
Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities	(1,645		)	(2,230		)	(3,716		)	(4,925		)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share – Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders	$	203,543		$	214,604		$	417,290		$	422,856
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares	68,453,602			69,664,697			68,576,232			69,613,947
Effect of dilutive securities	888,283			1,136,353			932,893			1,174,256
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares adjusted for dilutive securities	69,341,885			70,801,050			69,509,125			70,788,203
Earnings per share two-class method
Basic	$	2.97		$	3.08		$	6.08		$	6.07
Diluted	$	2.94		$	3.03		$	6.00		$	5.97