Wholesale trade: Early indicator, December 2021

Feb 2, 2022

Given the rapidly evolving economic situation, Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of sales in the wholesale trade sector for December. The advance results for December indicate that wholesale sales were unchanged. Gains in the personal and household goods subsector were offset by lower sales in the food, beverage and tobacco products subsector.

This estimate was calculated based on a weighted response rate of 62.4%. The average final response rate for the survey over the past 12 months has been 85.3%. As Statistics Canada continues to collect data for the December reference month, this early indicator is subject to a higher revision rate than the regular monthly release.

Advance estimates by subsector:

• Farm products: +12.2%

• Food, beverage and tobacco products: -3.0%

• Personal and household goods: +4.6%

• Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and accessories: +1.1%

• Building materials and supplies: -0.9%

• Machinery, equipment and supplies: -0.6%

• Miscellaneous goods: -1.4%

Note to readers

The percentage change is calculated using seasonally adjusted data in current dollars.

This early indicator is a special product published in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide Canadians with timely information on the wholesale sector. The official estimate of wholesale sales for the month of December, which will be based on a more complete set of survey and administrative data, is scheduled for release on February 16, 2022.

Go HERE for more information.