Wholesalers sold $49.6 billion worth of goods and services in November, up 0.7% from October and 3.2% higher than in November 2011. Excluding the automotive sector, wholesale sales were up 1.6% from November 2011.
In terms of volume, wholesale sales were up 0.5% in November from October.
Annualized wholesale sales grew in seven provinces. Manitoba (+6.9%) led the way, followed by Alberta (+4.9%) and Nova Scotia (+4.8%). Quebec posted a 4.2% sales increase in November 2012 over November 2011, while Ontario recorded a 3.1% annualized gain. Saskatchewan (-7.4%), Prince Edward Island (-4.2%) and New Brunswick (-0.4%) experienced loses.
Wholesalers’ inventories in November decreased 0.4% from October to $61.2 billion and were up 7.6% from November 2011. This was the second monthly decline in the past three months. The largest monthly decreases, in dollar terms, were in the construction, forestry, mining and industrial machinery, equipment and supplies industry (-1.9%) and the motor vehicle industry (-2.4%). The inventory-to-sales ratio declined from 1.25 in October to 1.24 in November.
Wholesale sales of building materials and supplies were $6.9 billion in November, up 0.7% from October and a 5.4% gain from November 2011. This was the 24th consecutive annualized increase.
Wholesale sales of electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning equipment and supplies stood at $2.1 billion in November, down 1.2% from October but a 1.5% increase from November 2011. Inventories were valued at $3.2 billion, up 0.5% from October and 4.5% higher than in November 2011.
Wholesale sales of metal service centres were $1.6 billion in November, up 1.6% from October and an increase of 6.9% from November 2011. Inventories were valued at $3.3 billion, up 2.5% from October and a 10.8% increase from November 2011.
Wholesale sales of lumber, millwork, hardware and other building supplies were $3.2 billion in November, up 1.6% from October and a 7.4% increase from November 2011. Inventories were valued at $4.8 billion, down 0.3% from October but a 6.6% increase over November 2011.