Wholesale sales fall 2.2% in February: StatsCan

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says wholesale sales fell 2.2% to $55.8 billion in February.

The federal agency says sales fell in five of the seven subsectors it measures, accounting for 66% of total wholesale sales.

In volume terms, wholesale sales declined 1.9%.

Statistics Canada says the machinery, equipment and supplies subsector posted the biggest drop in dollar terms for the month.

The sector fell 4.8% to $11.0 billion, more than offsetting its 4.1% gain in January.

The motor vehicle and parts subsector fell 3.5% to $10.4 billion, the lowest level in three months.

Sales fell in nine provinces led by Ontario, which fell 1.2% to $28.6 billion, and Saskatchewan, which dropped 12.8% to $2.1 billion, its lowest level since August 2014.

Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province with higher sales in February as it gained 1.7% to $349 million.

© 2016 The Canadian Press