Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Inventories/Sales Ratio
This dataset tracks merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers' sales branches and offices: nondurable goods: apparel, piece goods, and notions inventories/sales ratio over time.
Latest Value
1.96
Year-over-Year Change
-12.11%
Date Range
1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025
Summary
This economic trend tracks the inventory-to-sales ratio for nondurable goods wholesalers of apparel, piece goods, and notions, providing insight into supply chain dynamics and inventory management.
Analysis & Context
This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.
Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.
About This Dataset
The Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Inventories/Sales Ratio measures the relationship between inventory levels and sales for wholesale distributors in this product category. It offers a gauge of supply chain efficiency and inventory management strategies.
Methodology
The data is collected by the U.S. Census Bureau through monthly surveys of merchant wholesale businesses.
Historical Context
This metric is closely watched by economists, retailers, and policymakers to assess demand, supply chain resilience, and inventory health in the apparel and textile wholesale sector.
Key Facts
- The ratio ranges from 1.2 to 1.6 on average.
- Apparel wholesalers carry significant inventories to meet retail demand.
- The ratio is a leading indicator of consumer spending on apparel.
FAQs
Q: What does this economic trend measure?
A: This trend tracks the ratio of inventories to sales for wholesale distributors of apparel, piece goods, and notions. It provides insight into supply chain dynamics and inventory management practices in this sector.
Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?
A: The inventory-to-sales ratio is a key indicator of supply chain efficiency, demand, and inventory health in the apparel wholesale industry. It helps economists, retailers, and policymakers assess broader economic conditions and consumer spending patterns.
Q: How is this data collected or calculated?
A: The data is collected through monthly surveys of merchant wholesale businesses by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?
A: This metric is closely monitored by policymakers and analysts to gauge demand, supply chain resilience, and inventory management strategies in the apparel and textile wholesale sector, which has important implications for the broader economy.
Q: Are there update delays or limitations?
A: The data is released on a monthly basis with a typical 1-2 month lag. While comprehensive, the metric may not fully capture all inventory movements or distribution channels in the apparel wholesale industry.
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Citation
U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Inventories/Sales Ratio (R4243IM163SCEN), retrieved from FRED.