Wholesale trade sales in B.C. fell the most in June out of Canada’s largest provincial economies, according to data released by Statistics Canada Thursday morning.
Sales fell 2.4% to $3.96 billion in June from $4.06 billion in May, compared with a 1.2% decline in Quebec and a 1.9% decline in Saskatchewan. Ontario sales remained flat, increasing 0.1%, whereas sales increased 1.6% in Alberta in June.
B.C. wholesale trade increased the least year-over-year in June, rising 1.6% compared with an 11.5% jump in Ontario, a 7.3% increase in Alberta and a 4.3% increase in Quebec.
Sales declines in B.C. and Quebec were the key contributors to a 0.3% decline nationally. The largest decline came in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, which fell 2.3% to $8.9 billion. The building and materials subsector fell 2%, posting its second monthly decrease since August 2009.
While sales fell, wholesale inventories increased for a fourth time in five months, climbing 0.6% to $52.7 billion, its highest level since September 2009. Thirteen of the 25 wholesale trade industries reported higher inventory levels with wholesalers of motor vehicles, agricultural supplies and food posting the biggest gains in dollar terms.