Wholesale sales rise after slump

OTTAWA — Wholesale sales rose for the first time in five months, according to new StatCan data, up 1.8% to $55.9 billion in November. Sales were higher in four of seven subsectors, led by motor vehicle and parts. Excluding this subsector, wholesale sales were up 1.2% in November. In volume terms, wholesale sales increased 1.6%. Sales in the building material and supplies sub-sector increased 2.8% to $7.8 billion, more than offsetting the combined declines of September and October. Gains in all industries contributed to the increase. Exports of forestry products and building and packaging materials also rose. The increases affected all provinces, with Ontario contributing the most in dollar terms.