OTTAWA, ON - Statistics Canada reported today that retail sales in current dollars increased 1 percent in June to $34.4 billion. Retail sales have risen in five of the last six months, following large drops at the end of 2008.
According to the agency's Retail Trade report, sales rose in six of eight trade sectors in June. The automotive sector was the largest contributor to overall growth, with a 2.1 percent sales gain. A 4.7 percent rise in sales at gasoline stations was the main contributor to June's increase in the automotive sector. Higher gas prices drove this advance.
Food and beverage stores saw sales increase 1.3 percent; sales at furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores increased in June for the second consecutive month with a 0.6 percent gain. Strong sales at home electronics and appliance stores (+2.1 percent) were behind this advance.
Sales at general merchandise stores declined 0.6 percent in June, giving back the gains of the previous two months. Sales for this store type have been relatively flat since October 2008. Sales also declined in building and outdoor home supplies stores (-0.6 percent).
According to the report, retail sales in June were up in nine provinces: Quebec (1.8 percent); Manitoba (+2.8 percent); Saskatchewan (+2.3 percent); Nova Scotia (+1.8 percent); and Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.0 percent). Retail sales were essentially unchanged in Ontario. However, New Brunswick was the only province that saw a sales drop (-0.2 percent).
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