National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors’ annual report shows total wholesale trade in the U.S. had a strong year of growth in 2011. NAW Senior Economic AdvisorAlan Beaulieureports in his State of the Wholesale Distribution Industry Report overall sales increased 14.7% in 2011 for total sales of $4.8 trillion. Employment in the industry increased 1.7% in 2011 to 5.6 million workers.
Beaulieu forecasts a modest business cycle rise for 2012. “Leading indicators are currently moving higher or, at least, remain in positive territory,” he stated in his report. “Furthermore, employment is on the rise, retail sales are running above year-earlier levels and business-to-business new orders continue to carry the day. Even housing is beginning to provide a contribution to the economy’s 2012 trend probabilities.”
