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                                                                     EXHIBIT 99

[LOGO]                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                     CONTACT:  CONWAY G. IVY
                                                     VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE
                                                     PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
                                                     216-566-2102

                                      NEWS:

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            The Sherwin-Williams Company - 101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.,
                     Cleveland, Ohio 44115 - (216) 566-2140



         CLEVELAND, OHIO, March 23, 2000 - The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:
SHW) is meeting with security analysts this morning and will announce that first
quarter Company sales are currently tracking at a mid-single digit percentage
increase over the first quarter of last year. The Company had previously
estimated that first quarter sales increases would be in the low single digits.
In light of this improving sales momentum, the Company believes that its first
quarter earnings will be in the range of $.22 to $.24 per share. First Call
currently reports a range of $.19 to $.21 per share for the first quarter. The
Company's earnings for the first quarter of 1999 were $.17 per share.

         The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's
leading companies engaged in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings
and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail
customers.

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This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to
sales and earnings. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's
expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements
are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which
are outside the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to
differ materially from such statements. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors include such things as: general business conditions; strengths of retail
economies and the growth in the coatings industry; changes in the Company's
relationships with customers and suppliers; unusual weather conditions; and
other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company's
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the
Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.