Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 424,424	$ 525,054
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2012 - $20,163; 2011 - $16,916)	1,605,469	1,461,011
Merchandise inventories, net - at lower of cost or market	2,264,398	2,261,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	307,255	328,534
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	4,601,546	4,576,596
Goodwill and other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	292,893	279,775
Deferred tax assets	246,590	250,906
Other assets	453,955	272,110
Property, plant and equipment, less allowance for depreciation (2012 - $742,810; 2011 - $732,390)	500,845	500,204
TOTAL ASSETS	6,095,829	5,879,591
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade accounts payable	1,559,874	1,440,762
Income taxes payable	86,266	35,267
Dividends payable	77,168	70,021
Other current liabilities	208,061	266,023
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	1,931,369	1,812,073
Long-term debt	500,000	500,000
Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities	487,932	493,721
Other long-term liabilities	282,534	280,978
EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 10,000,000 shares - None issued
Common stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 450,000,000 shares Issued 2012 - 155,909,884; 2011 - 155,651,116	155,910	155,651
Retained earnings	3,182,118	3,109,622
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(453,519)	(482,038)
TOTAL PARENT EQUITY	2,884,509	2,783,235
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	9,485	9,584
TOTAL EQUITY	2,893,994	2,792,819
TOTAL LIABILTIES AND EQUITY	$ 6,095,829	$ 5,879,591