B.C. led a national decline in December 2010 retail sales, dropping 2.2%—the first fall in sales for the province since July—according to a report released by Statistics Canada this morning.
B.C.’s December retail sales totalled $4.808 billion, down from $4.915 billion the month previous and also down from $4.813 billion in December 2009. A decrease in sales of new vehicles contributed significantly to the province’s decline.
Overall, retail sales in Canada fell 0.2% in December to $37.3 billion. Besides B.C., six other provinces saw sales decrease that month, including New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Ontario retail sales held steady, and Alberta’s rose 0.5%.
Across the country, the biggest decreases came in the motor vehicle and parts dealers, where sales fell 2.8% – the majority of that from a decrease at new car dealers. Sales at food and beverage stores declined 1.6%. The largest increases occurred at gasoline stations, where sales rose 7.6%, mostly due to higher gas prices, which increased for the sixth consecutive month.
Retail sales at stores associated with holiday shopping showed mixed results. Sales increased at clothing and accessories stores; electronics and appliance stores; and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores. Sales decreased at shoe stores, and jewelry, luggage and leather goods stores.