Grainger Poised for Strong Finish after 3Q Sales Jump 17% - Modern Distribution Management

Log In

Grainger Poised for Strong Finish after 3Q Sales Jump 17%

Sales growth was slower than in 2Q, but Grainger remains on pace to finish 2022 strong.
Credit: Mike Hockett
Author
Date

Led by impressive performance in its High-Touch Solutions and Endless Assortment business segments, industrial supplies giant Grainger reported 3Q sales on Oct. 28 that keep the company on pace to finish 2022 strong.

For the July-September period, Grainger reported sales of $3.9 billion, a 16.9% increase year-over-year and up 20.3% on a daily, constant-currency basis. The 16.9% growth was a slower rate than 2Q’s 19.6%, and that can be attributed to mid-summer softening in sales growth that was experienced by much of the industry. Grainger had 19% sales growth in July, 15.2% in August and 16.7% in September.

Lake Forest, Illinois-based Grainger said 3Q daily sales in its High-Touch Solutions N.A. segment were up 19.4% year-over-year, thanks to double-digit sales growth across all of its geographies and continued strong price realization. Daily sales for Grainger’s Endless Assortment segment were up 8.6% year-over-year or 23.7% on a daily, constant currency basis — contributing to that growth is depreciating Japanese Yen, according to Grainger, as was the case in 2Q 2022.

“The third quarter performance reflects our focused execution against our long-term strategy and ability to serve customers well in this demand environment,” Grainger Chairman and CEO D.G. Macpherson said. “Our teams are driving impressive results across both business segments and, after another quarter of strong performance, we are increasing our 2022 full year guidance. We remain on track to deliver an exceptional year.”

Grainger’s gross profit margin increased from 37.1% in 3Q 2021 to 38.5% in 3Q 2022, good for an expansion of 145 basis points (bps). Similarly, operating margin increased from 13% to 15.3% year-over-year for an expansion of 230 bps.

Here’s how Grainger’s 3Q revenue performed by U.S. business end market:

  • Natural Resources: up, high-thirties
  • Heavy Manufacturing: up, high-twenties
  • Transportation: up, high-twenties
  • Light Manufacturing: up, mid-twenties
  • Wholesale: up, mid-twenties
  • Commercial: up, low-twenties
  • Contractor: up, low-twenties
  • Government: up, mid-teens
  • Healthcare: up, high-single digits
  • Retail (includes eCommerce businesses): up, low-single digits

Related Posts

Share this article

About the Author
Recommended Reading
Leave a Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign Up for the MDM Update Newsletter

The MDM update newsletter is your best source for news and trends in the wholesale distribution industry.

Get the MDM Update Newsletter

Wholesale distribution news and trends delivered right to your inbox.

Sign-up for our free newsletter and get:

  • Up-to-date news in a quick-to-read format
  • Free access to webcasts, podcasts and live events
  • Exclusive whitepapers, research and reports
  • And more!

2

articles left

Want more Premium content from MDM?

Subscribe today and get:

  • New issues twice each month
  • Unlimited access to mdm.com, including 10+ years of archived data
  • Current trends analysis, market data and economic updates
  • Discounts on select store products and events

Subscribe to continue reading

MDM Premium Subscribers get:

  • Unlimited access to MDM.com
  • 1 year digital subscription, with new issues twice a month
  • Trends analysis, market data and quarterly economic updates
  • Deals on select store products and events

1

article
left

You have one free article remaining

Subscribe to MDM Premium to get unlimited access. Your subscription includes:

  • Two new issues a month
  • Access to 10+ years of archived data on mdm.com
  • Quarterly economic updates, trends analysis and market data
  • Store and event discounts

To continue reading, you must be an MDM Premium subscriber.

Join other distribution executives who use MDM Premium to optimize their business. Our insights and analysis help you enter the right new markets, turbocharge your sales and marketing efforts, identify business partners that help you scale, and stay ahead of your competitors.

Register for full access

By providing your email, you agree to receive announcements from us and our partners for our newsletter, events, surveys, and partner resources per MDM Terms & Conditions. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Learn More about Custom Reports

Request a Market Prospector Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.