Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Sales

This dataset tracks merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers' sales branches and offices: nondurable goods: apparel, piece goods, and notions sales over time.

Latest Value

14118.00

Year-over-Year Change

9.27%

Date Range

1/1/1992 - 6/1/2025

Summary

This economic trend measures sales at merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods, specifically apparel, piece goods, and notions. It provides insight into wholesale demand and can signal broader consumer spending patterns.

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 Sales trend tracks monthly sales for wholesalers of these key retail products. The data is used by economists to analyze wholesale trade activity and its relationship to consumer demand.

Methodology

The U.S. Census Bureau collects this data through monthly surveys of merchant wholesaler businesses.

Historical Context

This wholesale sales data informs analysis of consumer spending, retail inventories, and broader economic conditions.

Key Facts

  • Wholesale apparel, piece goods, and notions sales account for over $130 billion annually.
  • Nondurable goods wholesalers employ more than 1 million workers in the U.S.
  • Sales can fluctuate based on consumer preferences, fashion trends, and retail inventory levels.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: This trend measures monthly sales at merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods, specifically apparel, piece goods, and notions.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: This wholesale sales data provides insight into consumer demand patterns and can signal broader economic conditions.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The U.S. Census Bureau collects this data through monthly surveys of merchant wholesaler businesses.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Policymakers and analysts use this wholesale trade data to assess consumer spending, retail inventories, and overall economic health.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is published monthly with a lag of several weeks from the reference period.

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Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales Branches and Offices: Nondurable Goods: Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Sales (S4243SM144SCEN), retrieved from FRED.
Retail: Merchant Wholesalers, Except Manufacturers' Sales...