Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

(b) As further described in the attached press release, effective as of November 1, 2008, Y.C. Chen will vacate the position of President, Grainger Industrial Supply of W.W. Grainger, Inc. (the "Company") but will remain with the Company as an international advisor. A copy of the Company's press release announcing (among other things) the change in Mr. Chen's role is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

(c) As further described in the attached press release, the Company's Board of Directors elected Michael A. Pulick, age 44, as Senior Vice President and President, Grainger Industrial Supply effective as of November 1, 2008. Mr. Pulick had previously been the Company's Senior Vice President, Customer Service, a position assumed in 2006 after serving as Vice President, Product Management a position assumed in 2004. Mr. Pulick also served as the Product Category Director for Tools, Metalworking and Custom Products, a position assumed in 2000 and as the Director of Supplier Management for the Company's Custom Solutions business. Prior to joining the Company in 1999, Mr. Pulick worked for General Electric.

A copy of the Company's press release announcing (among other things) the election of Mr. Pulick to the above-mentioned position is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K)

Exhibit No. Document Description
99.1 Press release issued by the Company on October 29, 2008