Canadian retail sales rose unexpectedly in August after staying flat over the previous two months, led by higher gas station sales.
Retail sales rose 0.5% to C$36.08 billion (US$35.12 billion), following a 0.1% gain in July, revised up from a previously estimated decline of 0.1%, Statistics Canada said Friday. In volume terms sales rose 0.3%.
The market had expected the overall value of August sales to fall 0.1%.
Sales at gasoline stations were up 2.1% to C$3.84 billion, the second consecutive increase.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 0.7% to C$7.95 billion, with gains of 2.6% at automotive, parts, accessories and tire stores, and 1.0% at new car dealerships. Used car and other motor vehicle dealers posted declines following two monthly increases.
Excluding new and used vehicles and parts, sales rose 0.4% to C$28.13 billion after falling 0.2% in July, revised up from an initially estimated decline of 0.4%, StatsCan said. The market had expected ex-auto sales to rise 0.5%.
Food and beverage store sales rose 0.8% to C$8.75 billion, with gains reported at supermarkets and convenience stores. Beer, wine and liquor store sales fell 0.8%.
Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores rose 2.1% to C$1.20 billion, driven by a 7.0% increase at home furnishing stores following large fluctuations in recent months.
Overall, gains were reported in six of 11 retail subsectors.
Sales were down at clothing and clothing accessories stores, falling 0.8% to C$2.02 billion, with increases at shoe stores offset by lower sales at jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores posted the sharpest declines, as sales fell 1.8% following two consecutive increases.
Sales were up in seven provinces in August. Retailers in Nova Scotia posted the largest percentage increase, with sales rising 3.4% to C$1.06 billion. Sales also rose in Alberta and Ontario, but were down in Prince Edward Island.
Retail sales rose 0.5% to C$36.08 billion (US$35.12 billion), following a 0.1% gain in July, revised up from a previously estimated decline of 0.1%, Statistics Canada said Friday. In volume terms sales rose 0.3%.
The market had expected the overall value of August sales to fall 0.1%.
Sales at gasoline stations were up 2.1% to C$3.84 billion, the second consecutive increase.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 0.7% to C$7.95 billion, with gains of 2.6% at automotive, parts, accessories and tire stores, and 1.0% at new car dealerships. Used car and other motor vehicle dealers posted declines following two monthly increases.
Excluding new and used vehicles and parts, sales rose 0.4% to C$28.13 billion after falling 0.2% in July, revised up from an initially estimated decline of 0.4%, StatsCan said. The market had expected ex-auto sales to rise 0.5%.
Food and beverage store sales rose 0.8% to C$8.75 billion, with gains reported at supermarkets and convenience stores. Beer, wine and liquor store sales fell 0.8%.
Sales at furniture and home furnishing stores rose 2.1% to C$1.20 billion, driven by a 7.0% increase at home furnishing stores following large fluctuations in recent months.
Overall, gains were reported in six of 11 retail subsectors.
Sales were down at clothing and clothing accessories stores, falling 0.8% to C$2.02 billion, with increases at shoe stores offset by lower sales at jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores. Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores posted the sharpest declines, as sales fell 1.8% following two consecutive increases.
Sales were up in seven provinces in August. Retailers in Nova Scotia posted the largest percentage increase, with sales rising 3.4% to C$1.06 billion. Sales also rose in Alberta and Ontario, but were down in Prince Edward Island.