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July 21, 2016WHOLESALE TRADE, MAY 2016 
In May 2016, Nova Scotia's wholesale sales (seasonally adjusted) increased 2.6 per cent over April 2016 to $783 million. This is up 4.8 per cent over May 2015, though there has been considerable volatility in sales among the Province's wholesale merchants from one month to the next. Canadian wholesale merchant sales increased 1.8 per cent in May over April to $55.9 billion and increased 3.6 percent over May 2015. Monthly wholesale merchant sales were up in each province except Alberta.
On a year-to-date basis (Jan-May 2016 vs Jan-May 2015), Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted wholesale merchant sales have increased 6.3 per cent, faster than any other province except Ontario. Wholesale merchant sales are down in Newfoundland and Labrador as well as in the prairie provinces.
In Nova Scotia, the year-to-date (Jan-May 2016 vs Jan-May 2015) increase in wholesale trade is largely concentrated in food/beverage/tobacco products ($128.1 million), motor vehicles/parts ($84.3 million), and building materials ($54.8 million). There have been declines in Machinery, equipment and supplies (-$41.5 million).
Statistics Canada Quote
"Following four consecutive monthly declines, sales in Nova Scotia increased 2.6% to $783 million, led by the motor vehicle and parts subsector."
Statistics Canada: CANSIM table 081-0011