Grainger reports 7% YTY increase in October sales

W.W. Grainger Inc., Lake Forest, Ill., reported that its Oct. 2013 sales increased 7% compared to Oct. 2012. Results for the month included three percentage points of positive contribution from acquisitions and a 1% decline from unfavorable foreign exchange.  Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, organic sales increased 5% driven by six percentage points of volume growth, partially offset by a 1% decline from sales of hurricane-related products in Oct. 2012.  Last year, Grainger provided hurricane-related products for the preparation and response to Hurricane Sandy in the northeast United States.  Details