Statistics Canada says wholesale sales up 0.6 per cent in December

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says wholesale sales rose for a fifth consecutive month in December, helped by gains in the auto sector.

The agency says wholesale sales rose 0.6 per cent in December to $76.2 billion.

Wholesale sales increased in five of the seven subsectors.

Sales of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories rose 3.3 per cent in December to $11.8 billion, while sales of machinery, equipment and supplies gained 1.6 per cent at $15.6 billion.

Meanwhile, sales of food, beverages and tobacco fell 2.5 per cent o $13.2 billion and sales of miscellaneous goods dropped 2.3 per cent to $11.2 billion.

In constant dollar terms, sales grew 1.0 per cent in December.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2022.