Source: The Canadian Press

Wholesale sales fell 1.2% in February after three straight months of increases.

Statistics Canada reports lower sales of motor vehicle and parts, and machinery, equipment and supplies were major contributors to the decline.

Sales by volume were down 1.8%.

Four of the seven wholesale subsectors, accounting for two-thirds of total sales, declined.

The largest decrease came in the motor vehicle and parts subsector, which fell 4.4% in February — motor vehicles alone declined 5.3%, their first drop since last August.

The machinery, equipment and supplies subsector fell 2.8%, its first decrease in six months.

The largest increase in dollar terms was a 1.5% jump in the building material and supplies subsector.