WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale businesses restocked faster in April, responding to a strong gain in sales. The increase could be a good sign for economic growth in the April-June quarter.
The Commerce Department says stockpiles grew 0.6% at the wholesale level in April, double the March gain. Sales by wholesale businesses jumped 1.1% in April, nearly three times the March sales gain.
Stockpiles at the wholesale level stood at $483.5 billion in April. That's 25.6% above the post-recession low of $384.9 billion in September 2009.
It would take roughly five weeks to exhaust all wholesale stockpiles at the April sales pace. That's considered a healthy time frame and suggests businesses will keep restocking to meet demand.
When businesses step up restocking, they order more goods. That generally leads to increased factory production and higher economic growth.
Slower growth in inventories held back growth in the January-March quarter. In the first three months of this year, the economy grew at an annual rate of 1.9%.
The increase in wholesale inventories was bigger than economists had forecast. That could signal that inventory growth will pick up and boost economic growth in the April-June quarter.
But stockpile growth largely depends on the spending habits of consumers and businesses.
Weaker job creation in April and May could force some to scale back spending. And pay has risen just 1.7% over the past 12 months. That's slower than the rate of inflation for that period.
Sluggish job growth and weak pay raises threaten to drag on consumer spending, which would weaken growth. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of economic activity.
One positive change: Gas prices have tumbled since early April. That could give Americans more money to spend on appliances, vacations and other discretionary purchases.
Many businesses cut back on restocking last summer fearing that the economy was on the verge of another recession. When it became clear that it wasn't, they raced to rebuild stockpiles and keep pace with consumer demand.
Stockpiles at the wholesale level account for about 27% of total business inventories. Stockpiles held by retailers make up about one-third of the total. Manufacturing inventories represent about 40% of the total.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
No wonder she changed! Ali Larter slips on skinny jeans after shopping in a revealing sheer skirt - Daily Mail
By Iona Kirby
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She usually isn’t shy about showing off her slim figure, but Ali Larter made a quick change into something more conservative following a shopping trip yesterday.
It seems the actress may have noticed the sheer nature of her printed skirt as she then slipped into a pair of white skinny jeans to head to a friend’s house.
The coral skirt clearly showed the silhouette of the 36-year-old’s slender pins as she stepped out for some retail therapy in Beverly Hills.
Quick change: Ali Larter slipped on a pair of skinny jeans to visit a friend after shopping in a sheer skirt
She was also sporting a baggy peach-coloured T-shirt and wedged sandals.
The star was seen browsing through a rail of clothes at a store as she looked for some new additions to her wardrobe.
And it seems she may have found something that took her fancy as she was then spotted returning to her car with a tote bag slung over one shoulder.
Ali also toted an oversized snakeskin clutch bag for her day of shopping.
Sheer delight: The silhouette of Ali's slender legs was clearly visible through the printed skirt
When she was later spied emerging from a friend’s house in West Hollywood, Ali was sporting the same T-shirt along with her trousers, and different shoes in the form of tan sandals.
The former Heroes star is now in the throes of motherhood, after giving birth to her first baby, Theodore, 18 months ago.
She is now said to be turning her attention to writing a new cookbook, following in the footsteps of actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
According to the New York Post, Ali is looking for a publisher for her tome, entitled: Kitchen Revelry: Fun, Fearless and Festive Ideas To Inspire You To Take a Bite Out of Life.
Retail therapy: Ali browsed through a rail of cloths and seemed to find a few things to her fancy in Beverly Hills
The book is said to target the 'hedonist' who appreciates 'lipstick smudged Champagne glasses and a sink of beautifully dirty dishes,' reports the newspaper.
'This journey started during my first, disastrous dinner party,' said Ali. 'I lived in a fourth-floor walk-up above a pub. I was lonely and trying to use it as a way to meet new people.
'My insecurities got the best of me and I drank too much wine. I had my mind set on an overly complicated dish. I just wish I had found laughter through the tears. Mistakes happen. Burn, cry, reapply!'
What a peach!: Ali sported a baggy T-shirt along with her skirt and toted a snakeskin clutch bag
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