Sales by apparel, piece goods and notions wholesalers in October were $12.2 billion, a decrease of 2.4 percent from the revised September 2019 level, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report which was released in December.

Apparel, piece goods and notions wholesalers reported total sales of $12.5 billion the previous month.

The data is after adjustment for seasonal variations and trading day differences, but not for price changes.

The Census Bureau conducts a monthly wholesale trade survey in order to provide an up-to-date indication of sales and inventory trends for U.S. merchant wholesalers, excluding manufacturers' sales branches and offices.

The survey is considered to be a reliable measure of current economic activity.

Information requested in the survey includes monthly sales reports, end-of-month inventories, number of establishments covered by the report, and the ending date of the reporting period.