Results of Operations

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 23, 2020 Commission file number 1-5684 W.W. Grainger, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Illinois   36-1150280 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)   100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, Illinois   60045-5201 (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)     847   535-1000     (Registrant’s telephone number including area code)   Not Applicable (Former name, former address and former fiscal year; if changed since last report) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Common Stock GWW New York Stock Exchange Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   ☐  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   ☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   ☐  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).   Emerging growth company      ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐          Item 2.02.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On April 23, 2020, W.W. Grainger, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020. A copy is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits.     Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit 99.1 Press release announcing financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: April 23, 2020   W.W. GRAINGER, INC.          By: /s/ Thomas B. Okray    Name: Thomas B. Okray    Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer