Company: GWW
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form Type: PRE 14A
Source: 0001104659-25-015730
Chunk: 41

Company: W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form: PRE 14A
Chunk 41
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 Company’s independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2025 is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and the Board is asking shareholders to ratify this appointment. Representatives of EY are expected to be present at the meeting to respond to appropriate questions of shareholders submitted in advance in accordance with the procedures set forth in this proxy statement. Approval of the proposal requires the affirmative votes of a majority of the shares of Grainger common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. In the event the proposal is not approved, the Board will consider the negative vote as a mandate to appoint another independent auditor for the next year.

| ​ | CORPORATEGOVERNANCE | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 1:ELECTION OFDIRECTORS | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 2:RATIFY THEINDEPENDENTAUDITOR | ​ | ​ | EXECUTIVECOMPENSATION | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 3:SAY ON PAY | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 4: APPROVALAND ADOPTION | ​ | ​ | QUESTIONS ANDANSWERS | ​ | ​ | APPENDICES | ​ |

TABLE OF CONTENTS

| ​ | ● | ​ | ​ | 36 | ​ | ​ | 2025proxy statement | ​ |

Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) with management. Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the CD&A be included in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board that is reviewed annually. The amended and restated charter is available in the “Governance” section of Grainger’s website at http://invest.grainger.com . Rodney C. Adkins, Chair
Cindy J. Miller
Beatriz R. Perez
Susan Slavik Williams
Lucas E. Watson
Steven A. White Members of the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors

| ​ | CORPORATEGOVERNANCE | ​ | ​ | PROPOSAL 1:ELECTION OFDIRECTORS | ​ | ​