Grainger said its sales of $9.0 billion for 2012 increased 11 percent versus $8.1 billion in 2011.
Net earnings of $690 million increased 5 percent versus $658 million in 2011. Earnings per share of $9.52 increased 5 percent versus $9.07 in 2011.
“It was a record year for Grainger,” said chairman, president and chief executive officer Jim Ryan. “Despite a slowing of business activity in the back half of the year, particularly in late December when uncertainty surrounding the economy and the fiscal cliff virtually paralyzed (…)