Grainger Increases Quarterly Dividend By 16 Percent

CHICAGO, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW) announced today that its board of directors voted to raise the quarterly cash dividend by 16 percent to 93 cents per share payable on June 1, 2013, to shareholders of record on May 13, 2013.  Grainger has provided 42 consecutive years of increased dividends, a record that only 3 percent of companies in the S&P 500 can claim.

"We have a strong record of providing solid returns to shareholders," said Grainger Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Ryan. "The Board's commitment to increasing our dividend is reflective of their confidence in Grainger's future performance."

W.W. Grainger, Inc. with 2012 sales of $9 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 "intention" 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.