A mid-year business conditions survey by the North Central Wholesalers Association (NCWA) reveals the first sales increases in a long time for distributors in that beleaguered region of the country. NCWA members responding to the survey reported June sales increased an average of 8.4% (median 8.0%), boosting the cumulative six-month tally to an average gain of 2.4% (median 0.5%). Though modest, the survey results bring a welcome respite from continuing declines for NCWA distributors.

Of the 32 members reporting, 26 reported sales increases in June versus only 6 with declines compared with June 2009. Gains were realized in June by supply houses in all reporting states of the region, including Ohio (6.7% average increase), Indiana (8.8%) and even notoriously hard-hit Michigan (9.5%).

The numbers still show sales in negative percentages over the last 12 months compared year-to-year, but those figures will eventually turn positive if sales continue to grow in the months ahead.

For more details, read NCWA’s June business report in pdf form below.