Wholesale trade sales in B.C. fell for the first time in five months, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday.
February sales slid 4.3% to $3.97 billion from $4.15 billion, contributing to a 1.2% decline in wholesale sales nationally.
Overall, four of seven sub-sectors declined in February, with the largest decrease in the motor vehicle and parts sub-sector, which fell 4.4%. Machinery, equipment and supplies declined 2.8%, posting its first decline in six months.
While sales fell, inventories edged up 0.1%, the first increase since November 2008. Almost half of wholesale industries reported higher inventory levels with the largest increases, in dollar terms, were reported in the chemical products sector, home entertainment equipment and household appliance industries.
Sectors reporting lower inventories included the construction, forestry, mining, industrial machinery, equipment and supplies, personal goods and new motor vehicle parts sectors.