Growth in wholesale trade sales slows to 1.2% y/y in July
Compared with June, wholesale trade sales increased 2.3% in July, after falling 1.4% in June and rising 2.3% in May.
Wholesale trade is a constituent of the third-largest sector of the economy, along with retail trade, motor trade, and catering and accommodation.
Retail sales growth on Wednesday slowed more than expected, to just 0.8% year on year.
After a shock 1.2% contraction in the first quarter, the economy grew 3.3% in the second quarter - but economists have questioned whether that can be sustained.
Mining and manufacturing production data released last week bolstered that view. The mining sector posted its 11 straight month of year-on-year contraction, with the pace of the fall in output picking up to 5.4%.
Manufacturing production increased, but barely, and at a much slower pace than expected, coming in at 0.4% year on year.