Summary by Business Segment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Information by Segment

			Year Ended
	March 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other Ops.		Eliminations and Other			Total
Gas and rent	$	2,462,232	$	543,111	$	(37,784	)	$	2,967,559
Hardgoods	1,772,637		6,102		(15		)	1,778,724
Total net sales	4,234,869		549,213		(37,799		)	4,746,283
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	1,918,108		295,121		(37,799		)	2,175,430
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	1,528,215		162,205		37,349			1,727,769
Restructuring and other special charges	—		—		24,448			24,448
Costs (benefits) related to unsolicited takeover attempt	—		—		(7,870		)	(7,870		)
Depreciation	225,723		19,353		—			245,076
Amortization	20,139		5,070		—			25,209
Operating income	$	542,684	$	67,464	$	(53,927	)	$	556,221
Assets	$	4,816,034	$	504,551	$	—		$	5,320,585
Capital expenditures	$	333,271	$	23,243	$	—		$	356,514
	Year Ended
	March 31, 2011
(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other Ops.		Eliminations and Other			Total
Gas and rent	$	2,272,215	$	465,803	$	(30,702	)	$	2,707,316
Hardgoods	1,537,921		6,251		(21		)	1,544,151
Total net sales	3,810,136		472,054		(30,723		)	4,251,467
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	1,692,056		251,947		(30,723		)	1,913,280
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	1,418,491		134,578		21,003			1,574,072
Restructuring and other special charges	—		—		—			—
Costs (benefits) related to unsolicited takeover attempt	—		—		44,406			44,406
Depreciation	209,999		15,384		—			225,383
Amortization	20,485		4,650		—			25,135
Operating income	$	469,105	$	65,495	$	(65,409	)	$	469,191
Assets	$	4,461,153	$	484,601	$	—		$	4,945,754
Capital expenditures	$	235,143	$	20,887	$	—		$	256,030
	Year Ended
	March 31, 2010
(In thousands)	Distribution		All Other Ops.		Eliminations and Other			Total
Gas and rent	$	2,113,223	$	414,903	$	(24,240	)	$	2,503,886

Hardgoods	1,365,252		6,038		(23		)	1,371,267
Total net sales	3,478,475		420,941		(24,263		)	3,875,153
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	1,529,661		222,522		(24,263		)	1,727,920
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	1,348,022		127,250		14,033			1,489,305
Restructuring and other special charges	—		—		—			—
Costs (benefits) related to unsolicited takeover attempt	—		—		23,435			23,435
Depreciation	198,066		14,652		—			212,718
Amortization	18,196		4,035		—			22,231
Operating income	$	384,530	$	52,482	$	(37,468	)	$	399,544
Assets	$	4,044,080	$	460,914	$	—		$	4,504,994
Capital expenditures	$	232,982	$	19,846	$	—		$	252,828