Retail trade in Canada ticked up by 0.5 per cent in April, led by gains at gasoline stations and fuel vendors.
The data, released by Statistics Canada on Friday morning, showed sales in this subsector rose by 5.1 per cent.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers also posted gains, with sales up 1.7 per cent in April following a 0.1 per cent decline in March, led by increased sales at new car dealers.
In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged in April following a 0.6 per cent decline in March.
This is the fourth consecutive monthly increase in retail sales and Statistics Canada estimates they rose again in May by one per cent, though this figure may be revised.
However, core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors as well as motor vehicle and parts dealers — fell by 0.7 per cent. This is the second consecutive monthly decline, led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers and general merchandise retailers.
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