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GRAINGER FOR THE ONES WHO GET IT DONE News Release GRAINGER REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2021 Company delivers strong revenue and earnings growth and provides full year guidance as economic trends improve First Quarter Financial Highlights • • • • Delivered sales of $ 3.1 billion , up 2.8 % , and up 5.9 % on an organic , daily , constant currency basis compared to the first quarter 2020 ( excluding divestitures and foreign exchange ) Expanded reported and adjusted operating margins by 630 and 20 basis points , respectively Generated $ 294 million in operating cash flow and returned $ 256 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases Provides full year guidance : Total company daily revenue growth of 8.5-11.0 % and earnings per share of $ 19.00- 20.50 ( growth of 17.5 % to 26.5 % ) CHICAGO , April 30 , 2021 - Grainger ( NYSE : GWW ) today reported results for the first quarter 2021 with sales of $ 3.1 billion , up 2.8 % and up 5.9 % on an organic , daily , constant currency basis compared to the first quarter 2020 driven by strong performance in both the High - Touch Solutions North America ( N.A. ) and Endless Assortment segments . " The Grainger team served customers exceptionally well and delivered strong results in the first quarter as the economy continued to recover . In our High Touch Solutions ( N.A. ) segment , we are seeing sequential revenue improvement in nearly all end markets , recovery in non - pandemic product volume , and stabilizing gross profit margins after adjusting for non - core pandemic inventory . Our Endless Assortment segment continues to deliver over 20 % top line growth and improved earnings as expected . Our strong performance in the first quarter gives us the confidence to now provide guidance for the full year , " said DG Macpherson , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer . 1