Retail sales up 0.5% to $73 in April

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.5% to $73 billion in April, helped higher by increased sales at gas stations and auto dealers.

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.

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% 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% for May, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.

The Canadian Press

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