Canadian Wholesale Trade Up In July

OTTAWA (CP) -- Statistics Canada says wholesale sales increased in July for the second consecutive month, mainly as a result of higher sales in the auto sector.

Sales in current dollars rose 2.8 percent to $41.7 billion.

The data shows stronger sales in five of the seven wholesale trade sectors, although there were drops in the food, beverage and tobacco products and farm products sectors.

Automotive products jumped 14.2 percent to $6.8 billion, reaping the benefits of higher exports and imports as the sector continued to rev up again as Chrysler and General Motors factories resumed production following spring closures.

It was the sixth consecutive monthly increase for the sector, although sales are still 13.5 percent below the level of July 2008.

Wholesale sales rose in eight provinces in July.