us business inventories jumped 12 in november the government said friday sales rose 07 in the month an increase in inventories adds to gross domestic product and is usually a sign of an expanding economy the ratio of inventories to sales meanwhile rose to 125 from 124 thats how many months it would take to sell all the inventory on hand inventories soared early in the pandemic as sales slumped but now companies cant keep enough inventory in stock sales are strong but shortages of supplies and labor are holding back production