Wholesale trade: Early indicator, December 2023
Released: 2024-01-26
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of sales in the wholesale trade sector for December. The advance results for December indicate that wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, other hydrocarbons and oilseed and grain) rose 0.8%. The increase reflects higher sales in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector and the building material and supplies subsector.
This estimate was calculated based on a weighted response rate of 66.5%. The average final response rate to the survey over the 12 months preceding it was 75.8%. As Statistics Canada continues to collect data for the December reference month, this early indicator is subject to a higher revision rate than the regular monthly release.
Advance estimates by subsector:
• Farm products (excluding oilseed and grain): -9.1%
• Food, beverage and tobacco products: 0.0%
• Personal and household goods: +1.6%
• Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories: +3.3%
• Building material and supplies: +1.9%
• Machinery, equipment and supplies: -0.4%
• Miscellaneous goods: -0.3%
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Note to readers
Petroleum products, as well as oilseed and grain, data continue to be available in data tables but will be excluded from monthly analysis until historical data are available for proper monthly and annual analysis.
The percentage change is calculated using seasonally adjusted data in current dollars.
This early indicator is a special product published to provide Canadians with timely information on the wholesale sector. The official estimate of wholesale sales for the month of December, which will be based on a more complete set of survey and administrative data, is scheduled for release on February 16, 2024.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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