Chicago-based Grainger (NYSE: GWW) reported daily sales for May 2013 increased 5 percent versus May 2012, and included 3 percentage points from volume, 2 percentage points from price and 1 percentage point from acquisitions, partially offset by a 1 percentage point decline from unfavorable foreign exchange.
By segment, U.S. daily sales were up 6 percent, Canada sales were up 1 percent (2 percent in local currency) and Other Businesses, primarily Asia, Europe and Latin America, were up 4 percent (10 percent in local currencies).
In the U.S., light manufacturing end market was in the high single digits, contractor and commercial were up in the mid-single digits, government was up in the low single digits, retail was flat and reseller was down in the low single digits.
Volume growth in Canada was affected by weakened global demand for Canadian exports, contributing to a general softening of the economy, and extended road closures due to a cold and wet spring, disrupting shipments in western Canada, primarily Alberta, which accounts for 40 percent of Grainger’s business there.
