9 hours ago
Retail sales inched up in April from sales gains at car dealers, but likely dropped in May
Retail sales rose 0.3 per cent to $70.1 billion in April, helped by gains in sales at new and used car dealers, says Statistics Canada.
However, the agency says its preliminary figures for May point to a drop of 1.1 per cent for that month.
For April, six of nine sub-sectors were up, as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers gained 1.9 per cent, boosted by a 2.9 per cent increase at new car dealers and a 2.1 per cent rise at used car dealers.
Sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers rose one per cent, while furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers gained 0.8 per cent.
Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers fell 2.2 per cent.
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, gained 0.1 per cent in April.
In volume terms, overall retail sales rose 0.5 per cent in April.
