Statistics Canada announced that, following a decline in July sales, August wholesale sales increased 1.4% and reached a new high of $81.3 billion.
Growth was reported in five of the seven subsectors, representing 86% of wholesale sales. The miscellaneous goods subsector, the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector led the growth for wholesale sales in August.
Sales increased in six provinces and one territory in August, with the largest gains seen in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. Combined, the sales of these three provinces represented 98% of the national level growth.
In Ontario, sales rose 1.3% to $41.0 billion, the highest level recorded for the province. Sales in Alberta increased 4.9% to $9.1 billion, with six out of seven subsectors showing increased sales. Sales in Quebec rose 2.2% to $14.3 billion, with higher sales in five out of seven subsectors.