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Business inventories fell 1.1% in June, marking the 10th consecutive decline, though sales rose, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The decline in goods unsold at factories, retailers and wholesalers followed a revised 1.3% decrease in May. Sales rose 0.9%, marking the first gain since July 2008.

The inventory decline was larger than the 0.9% downturn that was forecast by analysts, Bloomberg reported.

Inventories have taken a record decline in the first half of this year, Bloomberg said.