Widespread gains contributed to an estimated 1.1% rise in wholesale sales in September to $43.7 billion, Statistics Canada said today.

The increase partially offsetting August’s 1.9% decline.

StatsCan said September’s increase, coupled with a healthy gain in July, pushed overall sales in the third quarter up 1.2%, more than reversing the second quarter’s 0.6% decline.

Led by stronger sales of “other products”, five of seven wholesale sectors reported increases in September.

Sales in the other products sector rose 4.2%, boosted by higher sales of agricultural chemicals.

The personal and household goods sector also had a solid month (up 2%), along with the food, beverages and tobacco sector (up 1.4%).

Other sectors posted smaller gains, while sales in the key automotive products sector, volatile in recent months, were unchanged.

The building materials sector registered the only decline in September (down 0.2%) following another large drop in lumber sales.

Sales in constant prices, which take price fluctuations into account, rose 1.5% in September to $48.4 billion.