Grainger Reports October 2012 Sales Results

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW) today reported sales results for the month of October 2012.  Daily sales increased 6 percent versus October 2011, and included 4 percentage points from price, 1 percentage point from volume and 1 percentage point from sales of hurricane-related products.  The month of October 2012 had 23 selling days versus 21 selling days in October 2011.  While the 2012 fourth quarter will have one extra selling day versus the 2011 fourth quarter (64 versus 63 days), the company is forecasting minimal sales contribution due to timing of the holidays.  

Please visit www.grainger.com/investor to access a recorded message with additional details about October 2012 sales.  Grainger is scheduled to report November 2012 sales on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. EST.

W.W. Grainger, Inc. with 2011 sales of $8.1 billion is North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with expanding global operations.  For more information about the company, visit www.grainger.com/investor.

Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities law.  Forward-looking statements relate to the company's expected future financial results and business plans, strategies and objectives and are not historical facts.  They are generally identified by qualifiers such as "forecasting" or similar expressions. There are risks and uncertainties, the outcome of which could cause the company's results to differ materially from what is projected.  The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the company's most recent annual report, as well as the company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, containing a discussion of the company's business and various factors that may affect it.

SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.