Statistics Canada reported today that wholesale sales remained essentially unchanged in April after posting strong growth in March. The government agency said wholesalers sold $41.6 billion worth of goods and services in April.

Increased sales of consumer goods were offset by decreased capital spending. Wholesale sales increased 0.1% in April after posting strong growth of 1.2% in March.

Total wholesale sales have generally been rising since April 2003.

Sales rose in three of the seven wholesale sectors in April – food, beverages and tobacco products, up 1.8%, personal and household goods, 1.3%, and “other products, “ 1.2%.

The steepest decline was registered by wholesalers of building materials, whose sales dropped 1.8%.