Wholesale sales rose 2.4% to $84.2 billion in January. Sales increased in six of the seven subsectors, accounting for 84% of wholesale sales. Strong growth in the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector led the increase for January. Starting with this release, the oilseed and grain industry as well as the petroleum and petroleum products subsector are included in the wholesale trade universe. Data tables have been adjusted accordingly, but the analytical text excludes these industries for comparison purposes with the previous month. Please refer to the Note to readers ... (full story)