Sales at constant 2019 prices: results for May 2023

Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), wholesale trade sales decreased by 0,1% in May 2023 compared with May 2022.

Seasonally adjusted wholesale trade sales decreased by 4,3% in May 2023 compared with April 2023. This followed month-on-month changes of 3,7% in April 2023 and -1,0% in March 2023.

In the three months ended May 2023, seasonally adjusted wholesale trade sales increased by 2,0% compared with the previous three months.

Sales at current prices: results for May 2023

Measured in nominal terms (current prices), wholesale trade sales increased by 5,3% in May 2023 compared with May 2022. The main positive contributors were dealers in:

·        machinery, equipment and supplies (34,0% and contributing 3,9 percentage points); and

·        food, beverages and tobacco (10,1% and contributing 1,4 percentage points).

Wholesale trade sales increased by 8,1% in the three months ended May 2023 compared with the three months ended May 2022. The main contributors were dealers in:

·        machinery, equipment and supplies (35,7% and contributing 4,2 percentage points);

·        ‘other’ goods (13,6% and contributing 1,1 percentage points); and

·        food, beverages and tobacco (5,5% and contributing 0,8 of a percentage point).