wholesale inventories in the us fell 05 in june following a similarly large decline in the prior month a sign that businesses are stockpiling fewer goods due to an uncertain outlook for the economy sales in the month sank 07 the government said tuesday the inventorytosales ratio rose to 141 months from 140 months a year ago the ratio stood at a much lower 130 the ratio reflects how long it would take a company to sell all the goods sitting on warehouse shelves the higher readings this year suggest it’s taking longer for companies to sell their products which is what happens when the economy slows or sales taper off businesses are likely to respond by reducing production unless sales rebound