Wholesaler Sales Fell 0.4% in April, But Up 7.3% YOY

Washington, DC, June 9, 2017-April 2017 sales of merchant wholesalers were $462.3 billion, down 0.4% from the revised March level, but were up 7.3% from the April 2016 level. The February 2017 to March 2017 percent change was revised from the preliminary estimate of virtually unchanged to down 0.2%.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $591.0 billion at the end of April, down 0.5% from the revised March level. Total inventories were up 1.6% from the revised April 2016 level. The March 2017 to April 2017 percent change was revised from the advance estimate of down 0.3% to down 0.5%.

The April inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.28. The April 2016 ratio was 1.35.