Wholesale sales in Canada increased 0.2 percent to C$56.9 billion (US$42.8 billion) in November, a second consecutive increase, according to Statistics Canada. Higher sales in four subsectors were partially offset by lower sales in two subsectors.
The motor vehicle and parts subsector posted the largest decline, while the miscellaneous subsector, which includes wholesalers of agricultural supplies, chemicals and allied products, and paper, paper product and disposable plastic products, posted the largest increase.
In volume terms, wholesale sales edged down 0.1 percent.
Sales rose in four of the seven subsectors in November, accounting for 48 percent of total wholesale sales.
The miscellaneous subsector reported the largest gain in dollar terms, up 7.2 percent to C$7.4 billion (US$5.6 billion) following two consecutive declines. Sales were up in four of the five industries, led by the agricultural supplies industry, up 17 percent in November following an 11.6 percent decline in October.
Sales rose in the building material and supplies subsector for a second consecutive month, up 3.8 percent to C$7.9 billion (US$5.9 billion). The lumber, millwork, hardware and other building supplies industry contributed the most to the increase, with sales up 4.5 percent to a record C$4.1 billion (US$3.1 billion) in November. Exports of forestry products and building and packaging materials were up in November.
In the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, sales increased 0.4 percent to C$11.3 billion (US$8.5 billion). Gains in three industries, led by the construction, forestry, mining, and industrial machinery, equipment and supplies industry (+3.6 percent), offset the decline in the computer and communications equipment and supplies industry (-3.5 percent).
The farm product subsector rose 6.1 percent to C$652 million (US$490.8 million), the second consecutive monthly increase following four months of decline. Despite the gain in November, year-to-date sales for this subsector were 11.9 percent lower compared with the same period in 2015.
Sales in the motor vehicle and parts subsector declined 5.8 percent to C$10.5 billion (US$7.9 billion), the second decrease in eight months. The motor vehicle industry (-6 percent) accounted for most of the decrease in the subsector and reached its lowest level since April 2016. There were lower imports and exports of motor vehicles and parts in November and motor vehicle manufacturing sales declined for a second consecutive month.
In the personal and household goods subsector, sales were down 1.6 percent to C$8.2 billion (US$6.2 billion), the first decrease in four months. The home entertainment equipment and household appliance industry (-7.9 percent) and the pharmaceuticals and pharmacy supplies industry (-1.5 percent) contributed the most to the decline.
Wholesale sales rose in six provinces in November, led by Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Sales in Saskatchewan increased for the first time in three months, up 13.9 percent to C$2.1 billion (US$1.6 billion), led by higher sales in the agricultural supplies industry. Sales were also up in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector and the farm product subsector.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, sales increased 40.9 percent to a record C$537 million (US$404.3 million), led by higher sales in the miscellaneous subsector. Sales were up in five of the seven subsectors in November.
Sales in British Columbia increased for a second consecutive month, up 1.2 percent to a record C$5.8 billion (US$4.4 billion) in November. Gains were recorded in three subsectors, led by the building material and supplies subsector.
Sales rose in both Manitoba (+4.6 percent) and Alberta (+0.8 percent) in November, led by gains in the miscellaneous subsector. It was the first gain in three months in Manitoba and the second consecutive increase in Alberta.
In New Brunswick, sales increased for the first time in three months, up 4.1 percent to C$559 million (US$420.8 million) in November, led by the food, beverage and tobacco subsector.
In dollar terms, Ontario recorded the largest decrease in November, with sales down 1.5 percent to C$28.9 billion (US$21.8 billion). This was the second decline in three months and the largest monthly dollar decline in Ontario since January 2015. Sales were down in three subsectors in November, led by the motor vehicle and parts subsector.
Sales in Quebec decreased for the third time in four months, down 0.8 percent to C$10.4 billion (US$7.8 billion) in November. Sales decreased in four subsectors, with the food, beverage and tobacco subsector contributing the most to the decline. Despite the recent declines, sales in Quebec are up 0.3 percent year-to-date.
Wholesale sales decreased in Nova Scotia (-1.2 percent) and Prince Edward Island (-6.4 percent) in November. Sales were down in Nova Scotia for the second time in three months, while Prince Edward Island posted a third consecutive monthly decline.
Wholesale inventories edged up 0.2 percent to C$73.3 billion (US$55.2 billion) in November, a fourth consecutive advance. Inventories were up in five of the seven subsectors, which together accounted for 65 percent of total inventories.
In dollar terms, the food, beverage and tobacco subsector (+2.8 percent) recorded the largest gain, followed by the motor vehicle and parts subsector (+1.4 percent). Inventories in both subsectors reached their highest level on record in November.
The machinery, equipment and supplies subsector (+0.5 percent) reported higher inventories for the fourth consecutive month, while the miscellaneous subsector (+0.7 percent) posted its second gain in nine months.
Inventories in the personal and household goods subsector declined 1.9 percent in November, which more than offset the gain in October.
The building material and supplies subsector (-0.7 percent) reported lower inventories for the first time in four months.
The inventory-to-sales ratio was unchanged at 1.29 in November. This ratio is a measure of the time in months required to exhaust inventories if sales were to remain at their current level.
