Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities
Net income	$ 684,959	$ 648,041	$ 565,116
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	133,957	98,383	88,936
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(12,905)	(11,018)	(5,356)
Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment	(4,729)	(3,943)	(3,012)
Deferred income taxes	(21,622)	14,751	(2,337)
Share-based compensation	12,648	10,747	7,547
Gain on GPC Asia Pacific equity investment	(59,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(116,080)	13,366	(85,011)
Merchandise inventories, net	(79,253)	(25,845)	(19,624)
Trade accounts payable	473,424	220,694	85,766
Other short-term assets and liabilities	(14,418)	(86,294)	(52,166)
Other long-term assets and liabilities	59,750	27,556	45,068
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	371,772	258,397	59,811
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,056,731	906,438	624,927
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(124,063)	(101,987)	(103,469)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	10,657	8,504	8,908
Acquisition of businesses and other investing activities	(712,173)	(558,384)	(136,936)
Net cash used in investing activities	(825,579)	(651,867)	(231,497)
Financing activities
Proceeds from debt	3,019,931	750,000	250,000
Payments on debt	(2,995,335)	(750,000)	(250,000)
Stock options exercised	(15,728)	(7,043)	(1,049)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	12,905	11,018	5,356
Dividends paid	(326,217)	(300,983)	(276,369)
Purchase of stock	(120,673)	(81,826)	(122,078)
Net cash used in financing activities	(425,117)	(378,834)	(394,140)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(12,237)	2,304	(4,204)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(206,202)	(121,959)	(4,914)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	403,095	525,054	529,968
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	196,893	403,095	525,054
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Income taxes	342,372	381,407	317,748
Interest	$ 27,221	$ 20,416	$ 27,640