Canadian retail sales up in October

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6% to $67.6 billion in October, led by increases in vehicle sales.

Core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers — rose 0.2%. 

In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged.

The agency says the automotive sector saw the largest increase in sales, including 2.5% increases for sales at both new and used car dealers. 

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors were down 0.5% in October for a sixth consecutive month of declines.

Looking ahead, Statistics Canada says its advance estimate for November shows retail sales were relatively unchanged. 

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917.