Wholesale sales rose in March after falling in February, Statistics Canada said today.

The federal agency said wholesale sales rose 0.8% to $41.4 billion in March after a 1% drop the month before.

Although five of the seven wholesale sectors posted gains, most of the March increase was attributable to stronger sales of personal and household goods, up 3.6%, and of machinery and electronic equipment, up 3.3%.

The automotive products sector was down sharply, at minus-3%.

Total wholesale sales have generally been rising since September 2003, with strength in most trade groups.

Previously, slumping motor vehicle sales were the main cause of a decline that began in March 2003.

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060517/d060517a.htm