Statistics Canada says wholesale sales rose 1.0 per cent to $66.7 billion in October

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesales sales rose 1.0 per cent in October to $66.7 billion, marking the sixth consecutive increase for the sector.

Economists had expected an increase of 0.9 per cent for the month, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.

The increase came as sales of machinery, equipment and supplies rose 3.6 per cent to $13.8 billion in October, boosted by an 11.2 per cent increase in computer and communications equipment.

Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories sales climbed 3.1 per cent to $11.3 billion.

The October sales were 3.3 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels and for the second consecutive month all subsectors except for motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories were up from February levels.

However, Statistics Canada says the data from October may represent a short-term peak in the sector, as shutdowns occurred in many parts of the country in November and December in a bid to fight the pandemic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.