OTTAWA  - The value of Canadian wholesale trade grew by 0.9 per cent in March from February to hit a record, pushed up by demand for building materials and supplies, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday.

Statscan revised February's data to a 0.3 per cent increase from an initial 0.2 per cent decline and slashed January's growth to 1.7 per cent from 3.0 per cent.

Stripping out the effect of prices, March volumes were up 0.6 per cent. Overall, sales gained in four out of seven subsectors, accounting for 60 per cent of wholesale trade.

Wholesale trade in building materials and supplies jumped 3.9 per cent on higher sales of lumber, millwork and hardware as well as metal services. Food, beverage and tobacco sales advanced 1.1 per cent.

Two major subsectors reported slight falls. Sales of machinery and supplies dipped 0.5 per cent while motor vehicles and parts edged down 0.2 per cent.