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July 24, 2017WHOLESALE TRADE, MAY 2017 
In Nova Scotia May 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis month-over-month wholesale sales increased 7.5 per cent to $900.3 million. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale sales were 16.1 per cent higher over May 2016. On a year-to-date basis wholesale sales were 9.0% higher than the same period last year.
In Canada May 2017, on a seasonally adjusted basis month-over-month wholesale sales increased 1.0 per cent to $61.6 billion. Sales were up in six of seven subsectors. The miscellaneous subsector showed the largest increase in dollar terms, up 2.6 per cent to $8.0 billion. Food and beverage were up 1.0% and surpassed the $12 billion mark for the first time. Motor vehicle and parts were up 1.4 per cent to $11.6 billion.
Machinery, equipment and supplies declined 0.3 per cent to $12.2 billion.
By Province
In month-over-month seasonally adjusted wholesale sales, Nova Scotia (+7.5%) ranked 4th. Newfoundland and Labrador led the way with sales increasing 36.7% month to month. Seven of ten provinces reported positive growth, while Ontario remained steady (0.0 per cent month to month) and Quebec (-0.2%) and Saskatchewan (-1.7%) recorded declines.
On a year-over-year basis, Nova Scotia (+16.1%) ranked 3rd in percentage growth. Prince Edward Island led the way with growth in sales increasing 20.5% over May 2016. All provinces recorded year over year gains this month.
On a year-to-date basis, Nova Scotia (+9.0%) ranked 5th. PEI recorded sales growth at 12.3% over the same period last year. All provinces recordied positive growth in year to date terms.
Nova Scotia Sectors
Unadjusted wholesale sales in Nova Scotia increased by $365.4 million or by 10.0% per cent compared to Jan-May 2016. The dollar increase was largely accounted for by the food, beverage and tobacco wholesalers (+$238.7 million). Only one subsector had a decline: miscellaneous wholesalers declined $53 million compared to the same period last year.
Statistics Canada Quote:
Nova Scotia posted a third consecutive increase, with sales up 6.7% to a record high $900 million. Gains were recorded in five subsectors, led by the food, beverage and tobacco subsector.
Statistics Canada: CANSIM table 081-0011
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