Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net sales	$ 13,013,868	$ 12,458,877	$ 11,207,589
Cost of goods sold	9,235,777	8,852,837	7,954,645
Gross margin	3,778,091	3,606,040	3,252,944
Operating expenses:
Selling, administrative, and other expenses	2,648,430	2,594,372	2,366,667
Depreciation and amortization	98,383	88,936	89,332
Provision for doubtful accounts	8,047	13,248	10,597
Total operating expenses	2,754,860	2,696,556	2,466,596
Non-operating expenses (income):
Interest expense	20,482	27,036	28,061
Other	(16,183)	(8,358)	(3,496)
Total non-operating expenses	4,299	18,678	24,565
Income before income taxes	1,018,932	890,806	761,783
Income taxes	370,891	325,690	286,272
Net income	648,041	565,116	475,511
Basic net income per common share	$ 4.17	$ 3.61	$ 3.01
Diluted net income per common share	$ 4.14	$ 3.58	$ 3.00
Weighted average common shares outstanding	155,413	156,656	158,032
Dilutive effect of stock options and nonvested restricted stock awards	1,007	1,004	429
Weighted average common shares outstanding - assuming dilution	156,420	157,660	158,461
Net income	648,041	565,116	475,511
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	23,846	(22,017)	33,742
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments, net of income taxes of 2012 - $26,465, 2011 - $98,973, and 2010 -$11,083	(43,300)	(161,669)	(22,197)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(19,454)	(183,686)	11,545
Comprehensive income	$ 628,587	$ 381,430	$ 487,056