Wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain) declined 1.2% to $85.4 billion in August. Sales decreased in three of the seven subsectors, which represent about half of the wholesale sector. The largest decreases came from the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector (-8.8%) and the food, beverage and tobacco subsector (-3.8%). Wholesale sales were 4.3% higher in August compared with the same month one year earlier. In volume terms, wholesale sales (excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding ... (full story)