Business Inventories Rise 0.4%, Sales Drop by Most Since 1996

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usiness inventories rose 0.4% in September, while sales posted their biggest decline since January 1996, dropping 2%, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

Economists had expected September inventories to rise 0.6%, matching August’s increase, Bloomberg reported.

hen inventories and sales are growing, it usually means trucking is seeing additional demand to deliver goods and restock shelves.

Inventories at retailers fell 0.1% following a 0.3% increase. Retailers’ inventory sales fell 2% following a 0.5% increase in August, Bloomberg said.