Wholesale sales rose for the third consecutive month in December, Statistics Canada said today.

Sales were up by 1.1% to $38.7 billion after advancing 0.7% in November and 0.3% in October, StatsCan said.

“Total wholesale sales have generally been rising since September 2003 after a period of declines that started in March 2003,” the agency said.

For the year 2004, wholesales sales were up 6.6% compared with a year earlier.

“This was a marked increase compared with the 2.4% gain in 2003. The strong sales in 2004 were partly attributable to flourishing international trade and the construction boom.”

Sales of motor vehicles rose sharply in December after being flat for five months.

Household and personal products also showed gains. But sales of computers and other electronic equipment, and machinery and supplies were down.

Wholesale sales rose in six provinces, with Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador leading the way.