News

Canadian retail sales increased in February

April 20, 2011

According to Bloomberg.com, Canadian retail sales increased 0.4 percent in volume terms in February to C$37.3 billion (U.S. $39.1 billion), compensating a majority of the decline in January.

The report, released by Statistic Canada, the national statistics agency, showed that the largest contributor to the increase was sales from gasoline stations, in which sales increased 1.3 percent, the seventh increase in eight months.

Sales information by segments:

Sales from apparel and accessories stores increased 2.5 percent. Clothing stores had a 3.1 percent increase, while jewelry, luggage and leather goods stores rose 1.8 percent. Shoe store sales, however, saw a 1.5 percent decrease. Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores rose 2.1 percent.

Food and beverage store sales increased 0.3 percent, the second consecutive monthly increase. Gains reported at supermarkets and other grocery stores were 0.4 percent, while beer, wine and liquor stores reported 0.7 percent growth.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fell 0.6 percent. The main factor for the decrease was a 0.6 percent drop in sales at new car dealers. Automotive parts, accessories and tire stores also reported lower sales at -0.3 percent. Used car dealers saw an increase of 0.5 percent, the fifth increase in six months.

Electronics and appliance store sales decreased for the fourth consecutive month by 0.6 percent.