DEC. 15, 2021 — U.S. merchant wholesalers had sales of $8,037.4 billion in 2020, a 6.6% decrease from $8,607.1 billion in 2019, according to estimates from the Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Highlights:

• Sales of Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4231) decreased 9.7%, from $953.7 billion in 2019 to $861.6 billion in 2020.
• Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4247) sales were $863.4 billion in 2020, down 33.1% from $1,291.0 billion in 2019.
• Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4239) had sales of $272.8 billion in 2020, up 7.5% from $253.8 billion in 2019. This industry includes firms primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of sporting, recreational, toy, hobby and jewelry goods and supplies; precious stones; and precious metals.
• Drugs and Druggists’ Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 4242) sales were $1,068.7 billion in 2020, a 5.3% increase from $1,015.3 billion in 2019.  

The AWTS includes statistics about merchant wholesalers of durable and nondurable goods; manufacturers’ sales branches and offices; and wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers. It produces estimates of sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases and operating expenses.

The Census Bureau has conducted this survey annually since 1978. The sample includes approximately 8,400 wholesale firms.

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