November 2008 sales of merchant wholesalers were $349.2 billion, down 7.1 percent from the revised October level and were down 7.6 percent from November 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The October preliminary estimate was revised downward $1.3 billion or 0.4 percent. November sales of durable goods were down 6.1 percent from last month and were down 9.4 percent from a year ago.

Compared to last month, sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were down 10.6 percent and sales of electrical and electronic goods were down 8.8 percent. Sales of nondurable goods were down 7.9 percent from last month and were down 6.1 percent from last year. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were down 25.1 percent from last month and sales of chemicals and allied …