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2413402 - Disclosure - CAPITAL STOCK (Details)
(http://www.grainger.com/role/CapitalStockDetails)
TableStatement [Table]
Slicers (applies to each fact value in each table cell)
Statement [Line Items]Period [Axis]
2013-01-01 - 2013-12-31
2012-01-01 - 2012-12-31
2011-01-01 - 2011-12-31
Equity Components [Axis]Equity Components [Axis]Equity Components [Axis]
Equity Option [Member]Equity Component [Domain]Equity Option [Member]Equity Component [Domain]Equity Component [Domain]
Capital Stock [Axis]Capital Stock [Axis]Capital Stock [Axis]Capital Stock [Axis]Capital Stock [Axis]
Common Stock [Member]Treasury Stock [Member]Common Stock [Member]Treasury Stock [Member]Capital Stock [Domain]Common Stock [Member]Treasury Stock [Member]Common Stock [Member]Treasury Stock [Member]Capital Stock [Domain]Common Stock [Member]Treasury Stock [Member]Capital Stock [Domain]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
 
 
68,853,938  
 
 
 
 
69,478,495  
 
 
69,962,852  
 
 
Treasury Stock, Shares
 
 
 
40,805,281  
40,805,281  
 
 
 
40,180,724  
40,180,724  
 
39,696,367  
 
Exercised (in shares)
800,101  
(800,101) 
 
 
(805,235) 
966,705  
(966,705) 
 
 
(972,015) 
 
 
(1,323,883) 
Settlement of restricted stock units, net of 135,341 and 121,353 shares retained, respectively
 
 
232,483  
(232,483) 
 
 
 
225,997  
(225,997) 
 
 
 
 
Settlement of performance share units, net of 39,874 and 23,590 shares retained, respectively
 
 
61,860  
(61,860) 
 
 
 
44,051  
(44,051) 
 
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury shares
 
 
(1,719,001) 
1,719,001  
 
 
 
(1,721,110) 
1,721,110