May Merchant Wholesaler Sales Fell from April Rates, Up 6.2% YOY

Washington, DC, July 11, 2017-May 2017 sales of merchant wholesalers were $460.8 billion, down 0.5% from the revised April level, but were up 6.2% from the May 2016 level, according to the Census Bureau.

The March 2017 to April 2017 percent change was revised from the preliminary estimate of down 0.4% to down 0.3%.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $593.9 billion at the end of May, up 0.4% from the revised April level. Total inventories were up 1.9% from the revised May 2016 level. The April 2017 to May 2017 percent change was revised from the advance estimate of up 0.3% to up 0.4%.

The May inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.29. The May 2016 ratio was 1.34.