CBJ.ca - The Canadian Business Journal: Wholesale down for first time in seven months

Wholesale down for first time in seven months
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CBJ - January 26 - Wholesale sales fell 0.4 per cent to $49 billion in November,
following six months of consecutive increases, according to a report by
Statistics Canada. Lower sales in the agricultural supplies industry and the
motor vehicle industry contributed to the decline.
In volume terms, wholesale sales fell 0.8 per cent in November. The statistics
show that three out of seven sub-sectors reported declines, with lower sales in
the miscellaneous sub-sector and the motor vehicle and parts sub-sector
contributing to most of the decrease.
The largest sales decrease was observed in the miscellaneous sub-sector. Sales
in this sub-sector fell 4.4 per cent to $6.6 billion in November, the lowest
sales level since April 2011. All of the component industries were down, with
the agricultural supplies (-8.2 per cent) and other miscellaneous industries
(-5.6 per cent) accounting for most of the decline.
Sales in the motor vehicle and parts sub-sector fell 1.1 per cent, the first
decrease in five months. The motor vehicle industry (-1.6 per cent), which
accounts for 75 per cent of the sub-sector, was entirely responsible for the
decline, according to the report.
Wholesale sales in the building material and supplies sub-sector (-0.5 per cent)
also registered a decrease.
The largest increase in dollar terms occurred in the machinery, equipment and
supplies sub-sector, which gained 1.3 per cent in November. Of the four
component industries, two reported increases. The construction, forestry,
mining, and industrial machinery, equipment and supplies industry posted a 2.6
per cent increase. Sales in this industry have risen 16.5 per cent since the
beginning of the year. The computer and communications equipment and supplies
industry recorded a 2.7 per cent increase for the month.
Wholesale sales fell in six provinces in November, with Saskatchewan, Quebec,
and Alberta accounting for most of the national decrease.
Sales in Saskatchewan decreased five per cent to $1.9 billion in November, after
large gains the previous two months. Lower sales in the agricultural supplies
industry contributed to this decline. Meanwhile, in Quebec, sales fell 0.6 per
cent in November, after a similar decline in October.