Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 2019

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories:

We used the LIFO method of accounting for approximately 89% of Inventories at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018. As a result of changes in the LIFO reserve, we recorded an increase to Cost of sales of $101.3 million in 2019, a decrease to Cost of sales of $39.8 million in 2018 and an increase to cost of sales of $2.7 million in 2017.

Purchasing and warehousing costs included in Inventories as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, were $476.3 million and $435.2 million.

Inventory balances were as follows:

(in thousands)	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Inventories at first in, first out (“FIFO”)	$	4,290,565	$	4,119,617
Adjustments to state inventories at LIFO	141,603		242,930
Inventories at LIFO	$	4,432,168	$	4,362,547