U.S. wholesalers experienced a 5.9 percent increase in sales in 2017, according to estimates from the Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) released today from the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the first increase since 2014, from $7.2 trillion in 2016 to $7.6 trillion in 2017.
Petroleum and Petroleum Products (NAICS 4247) and Metals and Minerals (except Petroleum [NAICS 4235]) experienced positive growth in sales. Petroleum and Petroleum Products (NAICS 4247) had sales of $974.5 billion, representing an increase of 23.4 percent from $790.0 billion in 2016. Metals and Minerals (except Petroleum [NAICS 4235]) had sales of $212.6 billion in 2017 representing an increase of 14.6 percent from $185.5 billion in 2016. Both of these industries experienced significant decreases in 2016 and 2015.
Lumber and Other Construction Materials (NAICS 4233) continued to experience growth in 2017. The industry had sales of $194.4 billion in 2017, illustrating an increase of 8.2 percent from $179.7 billion in 2016.
The AWTS includes statistics for merchant wholesalers of durable and nondurable goods; manufacturers’ sales branches and offices; and wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers. The files provide statistics on sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases and operating expenses. The AWTS has been conducted annually since 1978 and covers approximately 8,500 wholesale businesses.
Source: U.S. Department of Census Bureau
