Source: The Canadian Press

Wholesale sales remained unchanged at $44.9 billion in October, after advancing 0.7% in September.

Statistics Canada reports the volume of wholesale sales rose 0.3% as four of seven subsectors reported higher sales.

Those increases were largely offset by lower sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector.

The largest gain in dollar terms came from the motor vehicle and parts subsector, which increased 2.8% to $7.9 billion.

The second largest increase was recorded in the personal and household goods subsector (up 1.7%).

Sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector declined 3.5% to $9.1 billion, with the computer and communications equipment and supplies industry accounting for nearly half the drop.

Wholesalers in eight provinces reported lower sales in October, with their declines largely offset by higher sales in Ontario.

Ontario, which accounts for more than 50% of all wholesale sales, registered a third straight increase — at 1.5% to $23.3 billion, mainly owing to higher sales in the motor vehicle industry.

Nationally, inventories declined 0.7% in October to $52.5 billion as 16 of the 25 wholesale trade industries recorded a drop.