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November 25, 2019WHOLESALE TRADE, SEPTEMBER 2019 
The month-over-month index of wholesale trade illustrates the volatility of Nova Scotia seasonally adjusted wholesale trade in comparison to the national index. Year-to-date comparisons are more indicative of economic conditions for such volatile indicators.
In Nova Scotia September 2019, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade increased 2.2 per cent to $914.4 million over August 2019.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 9.2 per cent over September 2018.
- year-to-date (Jan-Sep 2019) Wholesale Trade increased 3.5 per cent over Jan-Sep 2018.
In Canada September 2019, on a seasonally adjusted basis
- month-over-month Wholesale Trade increased 1.0 per cent to $65.1 billion over August 2019.
- year-over-year Wholesale Trade increased 4.0 per cent over September 2018.
- year-to-date (Jan-Sep 2019) Wholesale Trade increased 2.7 per cent over Jan-Sep 2018.
BY PROVINCE
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 1.0 per cent nationally. Nine provinces reported monthly increases in wholesale trade, with Newfoundland and Labrador (6.0 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (2.2 per cent) over the previous month. Manitoba reported the only decline (1.4 per cent) over the previous month.
On a year-over-year basis, seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 4.0 per cent nationally. Nine provinces reported year-over-year increases in wholesale trade, with Prince Edward Island (24.4 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (9.2 per cent) over the previous year. Compared to September 2018, Manitoba reported the only decline (6.4 per cent).
Year-to-Date (Jan-Sep 2018 to Jan-Sep 2019)
On a year-to-date basis, in Canada seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade was up 2.7 per cent. Seven provinces reported year-to-date increases in wholesale trade, with Prince Edward Island (15.5 per cent) reporting the largest gain in percentage terms. Nova Scotia reported an increase (3.5 per cent) over the same period last year. Compared to Jan-Sep 2018, British Columbia reported the largest decline (2.0 per cent).
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
Statistics Canada now releases seasonally adjusted wholesale trade data by sector at the provincial level. As there has been significant volatility in recent wholesale values for Nova Scotia, Year-to-date comparisons are more indicative of economic conditions for volatile indicators and seasonally adjusted wholesale values will also smooth out the indicator.
In Nova Scotia (Jan-Sep 2019), Total wholesale trade year-to-date increased 3.5 per cent ($270.9 million) over the same period last year.
In the following sectors wholesale trade increased:
- Food, beverage with a 33% share of Wholesale Trade increased 0.2 per cent ($4.6 million).
- Motor vehicle and parts with a 18% share increased 9.6 per cent ($125.9 million).
- Building material with a 19% share increased 0.8 per cent ($12.4 million).
- Machinery, equipment with a 17% share increased 9.8 per cent ($120.7 million).
- Other wholesalers with a 6% share increased 10.5 per cent ($46.8 million)
In the following sector wholesale trade decreased:
- Miscellaneous wholesalers with a 7% share decreased 6.8 per cent ($39.5 million).
STATISTICS CANADA QUOTES
"Inventories decline for second consecutive month. Wholesale inventories decreased 0.7% to $92.3 billion in September, the second consecutive monthly decline. Decreases were recorded in five of seven subsectors, representing 53% of total wholesale inventories. Following 12 consecutive quarterly increases, inventories declined 0.9% in the third quarter of 2019."
"The inventory-to-sales ratio decreased from 1.44 in August to 1.42 in September. Prior to this month, the last time a similar drop in the ratio was observed was in March of 2018. The inventory-to-sales ratio is a measure of the time (in months) required to exhaust inventories if sales were to remain at their current level."
Reference Tables
20-10-0074-01 Seasonally adjusted Wholesale sales by province
20-10-0074-01 Nova Scotia seasonally adjusted Wholesale trade by NAICS sectors
20-10-0076-01 Canada seasonally adjusted Wholesale Trade Inventory
Citations
Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0074-01 Wholesale trade, sales (x 1,000)
Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0076-01 Wholesale Trade Inventories (x 1,000)
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