Wholesale sales advanced 2.2 percent in October, mainly because of strong performances by the machinery and electronic equipment sector and the personal and household goods sector.
During the month, wholesalers sold $40.6 billion worth of goods and services. Wholesale sales have been growing steadily since February 2005, except in July when they fell 1.7 percent.
In October, wholesalers increased their sales in six of the seven wholesale trade sectors.
Only food, beverage and tobacco products registered a decrease, falling 1.8 percent. In fact, growth of 1.5 percent or more was posted by wholesalers in four sectors, led by gains of 12.8 percent in farm products, 6.2 percent in machinery, 5.4 percent in household products and 1.5 percent in automotive products.
More moderate increases were observed in building materials (+0.1 percent) and "other products" (+0.6 percent).
The latter category includes recycled metals, chemicals and seed.
marketing@alchempro.com
