Motor Vehicle, Parts, Supplies Wholesalers Added Sales in 2019

U.S. merchant wholesalers posted sales of $8,633.5 billion in 2019, according to estimates from the Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2018, U.S. merchant wholesalers had sales of $8,633.6 billion. What happened during the pandemic will have to wait a year.

Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4231) experienced growth in sales in 2019. Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4231) sales were $962.5 billion in 2019, an increase of 2.3% from $940.6 billion in 2018.

Notably, Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4247) and Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4235) sales decreased in 2019. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4247) had sales of $1,303.7 billion in 2019, representing a decrease of 3.8% from $1,354.9 billion in 2018. Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4235) sales were $239.2 billion in 2019, a decrease of 5.3% from $252.6 billion in 2018.

“The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey includes statistics for merchant wholesalers of durable and non-durable 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 the survey’s sample consists of approximately 8,400 wholesale firms,” Census said.