Wholesalers sold $49.6 billion worth of goods and services in December, down 1.4% from November and 2.1% higher than in December 2012. Excluding the automotive sector, wholesale sales were up 2.3% from December 2012.
In terms of volume, wholesale sales were down 1.6% in December from November.
Annualized wholesale sales grew in six provinces. Prince Edward Island (+10.8%) led the way, followed by Saskatchewan (+7.1%). Ontario’s wholesale sales in December were up (+2.9%) from a year earlier while Quebec’s wholesale sales fell by 0.6% from December 2012.
Wholesalers’ inventories in December increased 0.4% from November to $61.7 billion and were up 1.8% from December 2012. The largest monthly increase, in dollar terms, was accounted for by the personal and household goods industry (+2.5%), following two consecutive monthly declines. The motor vehicle and parts industry posted a fourth consecutive monthly decrease (-1.7%) and a 4.1% decline over December 2012. The inventory-to-sales ratio was 1.24 in December, up from 1.22 in November.
Wholesale sales of building materials and supplies were $7.0 billion in December, down 0.4% from November and a 0.6% loss from December 2012. Inventories were valued at $11.5 billion, up 1.7% from November but a 0.1% drop from December 2012.
Wholesale sales of electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning equipment and supplies stood at $2.1 billion in December, down 1.4% from November and a 1.0% decrease from December 2012. Inventories were valued at $3.1 billion, up 0.6% from November but 1.7% lower than in December 2012.
Wholesale sales of metal service centres were $1.6 billion in December, down 4.7% from November and a decrease of 4.3% from December 2012. Inventories were valued at $3.4 billion, up 1.2% from November but a 2.6% decrease from December 2012.
Wholesale sales of lumber, millwork, hardware and other building supplies were $3.3 billion in December, up 2.5% from November and a 1.6% increase from December 2012. Inventories were valued at $5.0 billion, up 2.9% from November and a 2.8% increase over December 2012.