U.S. merchant wholesalers experienced a 3.0 percent increase in sales in 2014, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's most recent Annual Wholesale Trade Survey. U.S. merchant wholesalers had sales of $7.7 trillion for the year, up from $7.5 trillion in 2013. E-commerce sales for merchant wholesalers increased 5.3 percent to $2.1 trillion from $2.0 trillion in 2013.

The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey includes statistics for merchant wholesalers of durable and nondurable goods, manufacturers' sales branches and offices, and wholesale electronic markets, agents and brokers. The files provide statistics on sales, e-commerce sales, inventories, purchases and operating expenses. The Annual Wholesale Trade Survey has been conducted each year since 1978 and covers approximately 8,000 wholesale businesses.

Other highlights:

• Within wholesale trade, drugs and druggists' sundries merchant wholesalers (NAICS 4242) saw sales increase 8.6 percent from $710.3 billion in 2013 to $771.1 billion in 2014.

• Farm product raw material merchant wholesalers (NAICS 4245) experienced a decrease in sales in 2014. The industry had sales of $254.8 billion in 2014, representing a drop of 5.5 percent from $269.7 billion in 2013. The last time this industry had a decrease in sales was in 2009 when sales dropped to $168.0 billion from $197.6 billion in 2008.