Wholesale sales declined for a second consecutive month in February, decreasing 0.4% to $53.6 billion, their lowest level in six months. Sales were down in three of seven subsectors, accounting for 51% of wholesale sales. In volume terms, wholesale sales were down 0.7%. The building material and supplies subsector recorded the largest decrease in dollar terms in February, down 2.7% to $7.4 billion, its lowest level since May 2014. Every industry within this subsector contributed to the decrease, led by a second consecutive monthly decline in the electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning equipment and ... (full story)