Wholesale trade sales for Aug fall by 12.4%

Wholesale trade sales, at constant (2000) prices, for August 2009 decreased by 12.4% compared with August 2008.

At current prices for the three months ended August, sales fell by 16% compared to the same period last year.

According to the statistical body, the major contributors to this decrease were dealers in solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products, dealers in machinery, equipment and supplies and dealers in metals and metal ores.

This comes as retail trade sales reflected a decrease of 7.0% in August, compared with August 2008.

Stats SA released the motor trade sales figures on Thursday.

Motor trade sales for the three months ended August 2009 decreased by 11.6% compared with the three months ended August 2008, while sales for the corresponding period in 2008 increased by 5.4%, said Stats SA.

The contributors to the decrease were new vehicle sales and fuel sales.

"Motor trade sales for August 2009 decreased by 13.4% compared with August 2008, while sales for the corresponding period in 2008 increased by 1.3%.

"Seasonally adjusted motor trade sales for the three months ended August 2009 increased by 1.3% compared with the three months ended May 2009,” said Stats SA.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews