Canada’s Retail Sales Record Continues Rise

OTTAWA (CP) -- Retail sales in current dollars rose one percent in September to $34.9 billion, their seventh increase in nine months.

Statistics Canada reports the increases were widespread with six of eight sectors showing gains.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.2 percent.

Retail sales have been rising since the beginning of 2009, following a sharp decline at the end of 2008.

September sales were 3.3 percent lower than in September 2008.

The automotive sector was up one percent, with all components recording higher sales.

Excluding the automotive sector, retail sales rose 1.1 percent in September, the largest gain since January 2009.

The main contributor to this increase was the food-and-beverage stores sector, where sales rose 1.3 percent.

The largest increase was at general merchandise stores, where sales rose 1.9 percent.

After four months of flat sales, sales by miscellaneous retailers rose 1.7 percent.

Sales in the furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores sector increased 1.2, its largest increase since July 2008.

Sales at building and outdoor home supplies stores (down 0.2 percent) and clothing and accessories stores (down 0.1) both declined.

Retail sales rose in eight provinces in September. Quebec, with a 2.2 percent increase, was the largest contributor with its fourth rise in the last five months.

The two provinces where retail sales did not increase were Saskatchewan and Alberta. Sales fell 0.9 percent in Saskatchewan in September, partially offsetting the increase in August. In Alberta sales were flat, following two months of declines.