Source: The Canadian Press

Wholesale sales were up for the fourth straight month in November, rising 1.2% to $45.7 billion.

Statistics Canada attributes the increase largely to higher sales in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, the miscellaneous subsector, and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector.

In volume terms, wholesale sales were up 1.3%.

The agency reports gains in all subsectors except vehicle and parts.

Excluding vehicle and parts, wholesale sales were up 2.4%.

The largest increase came in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector, where sales rose 4.5% to $9.7 billion in November, their highest level since November 2008.

Sales in the miscellaneous subsector rose 2.9%, while food, beverage and tobacco was up 1.8.

The motor vehicle and parts subsector dropped 4.2%, largely due to a significant decrease in sales in the motor vehicle industry (down 6.8%).

Wholesalers in eight provinces reported higher sales in November. Only wholesalers in Ontario and Nova Scotia were hit with declines.