Distributive Trade Sales Slid 0.3% in May

Washington, DC, July 16, 2021-The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for May was estimated at $1,615.9 billion, down 0.3% from April 2021, but was up 28.7% from May 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Manufacturers’ and trade inventories for May were estimated at an end-of-month level of $2,039.3 billion, up 0.5% from April 2021 and were up 4.5% from May 2020.

The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of May was 1.26. The May 2020 ratio was 1.55.