Statistics Canada reports retail sales up 0.5% at $73 billion in April
The agency says sales were up in five of the nine subsectors it tracks, as higher prices helped lift sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors 5.1% for the month. In volume terms, sales for the subsector rose 0.8% in April.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers also gained 1.7% as sales at new car dealers rose 1.8% and used car dealers climbed 5.1% higher.
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Core retail sales, which exclude gas stations and fuel vendors along with motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.7% in April as sales at food and beverage retailers dropped 2.0% and general merchandise retailers lost 1.7%.
In volume terms, Statistics Canada says overall retail sales were unchanged in April.
Looking ahead, the agency says its advance estimate of retail sales points to an increase of 1.0% for May, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.
