Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 210,082	$ 242,879
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 – $19,214; 2016 – $15,557)	2,155,948	1,938,562
Merchandise inventories, net	3,354,178	3,210,320
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	596,400	556,670
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	6,316,608	5,948,431
Goodwill	1,059,637	956,153
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	653,932	618,510
Deferred tax assets	122,797	132,652
Other assets	581,047	475,530
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation (2017 – $1,018,211; 2016 – $960,999)	760,213	728,124
TOTAL ASSETS	9,494,234	8,859,400
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Trade accounts payable	3,275,155	3,081,111
Current portion of debt	595,000	325,000
Dividends payable	98,959	97,584
Income taxes payable	26,666	6,354
Other current liabilities	806,887	734,101
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	4,802,667	4,244,150
Long-term debt	550,000	550,000
Pension and other post–retirement benefit liabilities	260,243	341,510
Deferred tax liabilities	50,106	48,326
Other long-term liabilities	441,090	468,058
EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value - $1 per share, Authorized - 10,000,000 shares ; none issued	0	0
Common stock, par value - $1 per share, Authorized - 450,000,000 shares ; issued and outstanding - 2017 - 146,613,496 shares; 2016 - 148,410,422 shares	146,613	148,410
Additional paid-in capital	66,152	56,605
Retained earnings	4,042,404	4,001,734
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(876,934)	(1,013,021)
TOTAL PARENT EQUITY	3,378,235	3,193,728
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	11,893	13,628
TOTAL EQUITY	3,390,128	3,207,356
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 9,494,234	$ 8,859,400