Wholesale sales rose 0.5% to $39.9 billion in June, marking a fifth consecutive monthly gain, Statistics Canada said today.

Excluding the auto sector, sales increased 1.0%, the agency says.

Sales rose in five of seven categories, which represent 69% of the wholesale total.

Most of the growth was attributed to increased demand for machinery, electronic equipment, personal and household goods.

The overall sales trend has moderated since last summer because of weaker car and truck sales, the government agency said.

The growing popularity of cell phones and business informatics systems pushed sales of computers and other electronic equipment up 9.8% in June to $2.9 billion.

Sales of personal and household goods rebounded 2.8% following declines in April and May. Household goods posted a 5.7% increase, the biggest increase since last November.

Motor vehicle wholesalers saw sales drop 3.1% to $6 billion following gains in April and May. Wholesale and retail auto sales may not jibe because of the delay between the time the wholesaler delivers the vehicle and the actual retail sale.

Wholesalers of motor vehicle parts saw sales increase 5.2% in June, offsetting a slip in May.

Quebec and New Brunswick led the way in increased sales, while most Western provinces showed declines.