Merchant Wholesaler Sales Up 0.3% in May

Washington, DC, July 10, 2015—May sales of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, were $449.8 billion, up 0.3% from the revised April level, but were down 3.8% from the May 2014 level, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

May sales of durable goods were down 0.1% from last month, but were up 1.6% from a year ago.

Sales of furniture and home furnishings were down 2.8% from last month, while sales of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 2.2%.

Sales of nondurable goods were up 0.7% from April but were down 8.3% from last May. Sales of petroleum and petroleum products were up 4.3% from last month.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $581.9 billion at the end of May, up 0.8% from the revised April level and were up 5.0% from the May 2014 level. April inventories of durable goods were up 0.6% from last month and were up 6.2% from a year ago.

Inventories of computer and computer peripheral equipment and software were up 2.5% from last month, and inventories of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 1.2%.

Inventories of nondurable goods were up 1.2% from April and were up 3.1% from last May.

Inventories of petroleum and petroleum products were up 4.4% from last month and inventories of drugs and druggists' sundries were up 2.7%.