Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 177,917	$ 242,879
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 – $17,023; 2016 – $15,557)	2,084,871	1,938,562
Merchandise inventories, net	3,287,042	3,210,320
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	644,232	556,670
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	6,194,062	5,948,431
Goodwill	985,355	956,153
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization	623,111	618,510
Deferred tax assets	129,539	132,652
Other assets	497,553	475,530
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation (2017 – $981,901; 2016 – $960,999)	737,206	728,124
TOTAL ASSETS	9,166,826	8,859,400
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Trade accounts payable	3,230,985	3,081,111
Current portion of debt	475,000	325,000
Dividends payable	99,824	97,584
Income taxes payable	65,270	6,354
Other current liabilities	708,754	734,101
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	4,579,833	4,244,150
Long-term debt	550,000	550,000
Pension and other post–retirement benefit liabilities	287,589	341,510
Deferred tax liabilities	49,328	48,326
Other long-term liabilities	467,732	468,058
EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value - $1 per share, Authorized - 10,000,000 shares ; none issued	0	0
Common stock, par value - $1 per share, Authorized - 450,000,000 shares ; issued and outstanding - 2017 - 147,394,019 shares; 2016 - 148,410,422 shares	147,394	148,410
Additional paid-in capital	57,664	56,605
Retained earnings	3,964,184	4,001,734
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(950,269)	(1,013,021)
TOTAL PARENT EQUITY	3,218,973	3,193,728
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	13,371	13,628
TOTAL EQUITY	3,232,344	3,207,356
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 9,166,826	$ 8,859,400