Canada’s retail sales rose for the fifth straight month in May, with gains posted across the board.
The data, published by Statistics Canada Thursday, showed total retail sales increased by one per cent to $73.7 billion that month. In volume terms, sales were up 0.3 per cent.
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors saw the largest increase in May, recording a 3.1 per cent increase. However, in volume terms, sales at these vendors fell 2.7 per cent.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers edged up 0.7 per cent, rising for a second consecutive month, led by higher sales at new car dealers.
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline and motor vehicle sales, rose by 0.9 per cent in May after a 0.7 per cent decline in April. General merchandise retailers led the increase, with sales up one per cent, the first increase in three months.
This was followed by sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers, which edged up by 1.8 per cent, the first gain in three months.
Sales at food and beverage retailers were also up 0.5 per cent in May due to higher sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers, but excluding convenience stores.
Flash estimates for June suggest sales increased by 0.4 per cent, which would mark the sixth consecutive month of retail sale gains. However, Statistics Canada officials said that figure could be revised.
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