Aug 1 (Reuters) - Industrial maintenance and safety

products supplier WW Grainger Inc ( GWW ) on Thursday lowered

its annual sales forecast due to slower-than-expected demand,

sending its shares down 4% in premarket trading.

The Lake Forest, Illinois-based company now expects 2024

sales to be between $17 billion and $17.3 billion, down from its

previous forecast of $17.2 billion to $17.7 billion, issued in

April.

The company provides hand tools, power tools and industrial

products to home improvement retailers, construction businesses

and aerospace manufacturers.

Second-quarter sales for the company, which competes with

Fastenal ( FAST ) and WESCO, rose 3.1% to $4.31 billion.

Adjusted per-share earnings for the quarter ended June 30

was $9.76, up from $9.28 a year earlier.

The stock until the last close had gained 18% so far this

year.