Wholesale sales edged down 0.2% to $58.9 billion in February, following four consecutive monthly increases. Declines were recorded in four subsectors, led by lower sales in the personal and household goods and the food, beverage and tobacco subsectors.

In volume terms, wholesale sales decreased 0.4%.

Sales decreased in four of seven subsectors in February, accounting for 54% of total wholesale sales.

The personal and household goods subsector recorded the largest decline in dollar terms in February, down 1.7% to $8.3 billion, as sales decreased in five of six industries in that subsector. Following an increase of 30.2% in January in the home entertainment equipment and household appliance industry, the industry decreased 14.6% to $846 million. Despite the decline this month, wholesale sales in the industry were 8.7% higher than for the same period in 2016.

Following a flat January, the food, beverage and tobacco subsector reported a 1.0% decline in February to $11.0 billion, led by the food industry (-0.9%).