Sales up 2.6% in November as 18 of 21 industries rise: StatCan

Manufacturing sales rose 2.6 per cent to $63.1 billion in November, even as flooding in B.C. caused disruptions at more than a quarter of factories across Canada, Statistics Canada said Monday.

The agency said the overall gain in sales was the second consecutive month of growth as sales rose in 18 of the 21 industries it tracks. Flooding in November in B.C. disrupted supply chains in Western Canada as it closed highways and damaged the rail links from Vancouver.

It estimated the lost sales due to the floods totalled $372.1 million for the month. Overall, sales of primary metal products rose 5.8 per cent to a record $5.8 billion in November, while sales for the petroleum and coal industry climbed 3.7 per cent to $7.2 billion, also a record.

Sales in constant dollars rose 1.9 per cent in November, indicating a higher volume of goods sold.