Statistics Canada reports retail sales down 0.8% in July at $69.6 billion
Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.8% to $69.6 billion in July as shoppers spent less at supermarkets and grocery stores.
However, the agency said its advance estimate for August pointed to an increase of 1.0% for overall retail sales for that month though it cautioned the figure would be revised.
Statistics Canada says retail sales in July were down in eight of the nine subsectors it tracks with motor vehicle and parts dealers as the only group to increase with a gain of 0.2%.
Sales at food and beverage retailers fell 1.3% as sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers fell 2.5%. Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers also dropped 2.9%.
Core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers — fell 1.2% in July.
In volume terms, retail sales dropped 0.8% in July.