March 3, 2009

Canadian sales declined 8.0% to $44.2 billion in December, reflecting almost equal decreases in both volume and price, according to Statistics Canada. This was the largest monthly percentage decline since the start of the current series in January 1992.
 
Constant dollar manufacturing sales, measured in 2002 prices, decreased by 4.4% in December.
 
By Sector
Declines were widespread in December, as sales fell in 20 of 21 manufacturing industries. The printing and related support activities industry recorded the only increase (+0.1%).
 
Manufacturing sales in the petroleum and coal products industry fell 18.4% to $4.4 billion. Sales have decreased by almost $3.8 billion ...

Canadian wholesale sales declined 3.4% to $42.8 billion in December, the largest month-over-month decrease since August 2003, according to Statistics Canada. In terms of the volume of sales, wholesale sales fell 3.6%.

Canadian wholesalers sell to both the domestic and international markets, and are active importers and exporters. The decline in sales reflected both lower export demand for Canadian goods, a significant part of which flows through wholesale markets, and weaker sales in Canada.

In December, five out of seven sectors, which account for about two-thirds of wholesale sales, reported declines. The machinery and electronic equipment sector declined 4.5% in December. The automotive products sector declined 3.4% ...