Wholesaler Sales Rose 0.2% in November

Washington, DC, January 8, 2021-November 2020 sales of merchant wholesalers were $496.7 billion, up 0.2% from the revised October level, but were down 0.2% from the revised November 2019 level, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The September 2020 to October 2020 percent change was revised from the preliminary estimate of up 1.8% to up 1.7%.

Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were $649.8 billion at the end of November, virtually unchanged from the revised October level. Total inventories were down 2.1% from the revised November 2019 level. The October 2020 to November 2020 percent change was revised from the advance estimate of down 0.1% to virtually unchanged.

The November inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.31. The November 2019 ratio was 1.33.