SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) state store	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Accounts receivable due from employees to the Company	$ 700,000	$ 900,000
Allowance for doubtful supplier receivables	0	0
Replacement cost of inventory	3,920,000,000	3,670,000,000
LIFO inventory value in excess of replacement cost of inventory		55,800,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0
Impairment of long-lived assets	12,600,000	3,400,000	$ 1,900,000
Self-insurance reserves, current	128,794,000	109,199,000
Equity method investment in VIEs, net	21,100,000
Investment tax credit amount	177,100,000	170,500,000	8,500,000
Advertising expense, net	72,500,000	73,800,000	79,300,000
Total interest costs capitalized	7,000,000.0	10,200,000	$ 13,000,000.0
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization	22,000,000.0	22,300,000
Original issuance discounts, net of accretion	4,400,000	5,100,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	0	0
Other Assets
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization	3,400,000	$ 600,000
Renewable energy tax credit equity investments
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Capital contributions	$ 5,700,000
U.S.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of stores | store	5,759
Number of states, in which the Company operates | state	47
Mexico
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Number of stores | store	25
Loyalty Program Points [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred revenue, period expect to be recognized within	12 months
Loyalty Program Coupon [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Deferred revenue, period expect to be recognized within	3 months