Statistics Canada says retail sales up 0.2% to $66 billion in May

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.2% to $66.0 billion in May, helped by gains at new car dealers and grocery stores.

However, the figure fell short of the agency's early estimate for May released last month that forecasted a gain of 0.5%. Its early estimate for June suggests retail sales for that month were unchanged, but cautioned the figure would be revised.

For May, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers gained 0.8%, helped higher by a 0.7% sales gain at new car dealers and a 5.5%t increase at other motor vehicle dealers.

Sales at food and beverage retailers rose 1% as sales at supermarkets and grocery stores gained 1.4%.

Core retail sales – which exclude gas stations and fuel vendors, along with motor vehicle and parts dealers – were unchanged in May.

In volume terms, retail sales rose 0.1% for the month.